Could old fire house still serve? (03/16/2009)

The idea of conversion of the former Portland Fire Station into a restaurant continues to have a great deal of appeal, though given the current economic climate it would be understandable if the project were deferred or even dropped.

We'd like to see it go forward; but if it is indeed dropped - the individuals leasing the building with restaurant plans have allowed the lease to expire - then we hope the city takes a thoughtful and creative look at other options for the building.

Specifically, if private ownership and the restaurant are not feasible, the building ought to be considered as a possible home for the city street department.

The street department has complained for some time about its need for more suitable accommodations. But neither of the ideas floated so far for alternatives have much appeal.

The first, which was pretty quickly shot down, was to take over the "spec" building constructed for potential new industry. It might look like a quick fix, but there would be tremendous costs in terms of lost opportunity for industrial growth. Those need to be factored in.

The second, which is still on the drawing boards, is to construct a street department headquarters smack dab in the middle of Hudson Park. The price tag on that proposal seems to grow monthly, and aside from the convenience of storing lawnmowers it's hard to see the park as an appropriate home for the street department and its equipment.

That's especially true if the old fire department building on Commerce Street becomes available again.

The building has six bays and is centrally located. Most importantly, the city owns it and it's paid for.

Sure, there would be some convenience issues. Salt storage would have to be located somewhere else, for example.

But in the current climate, when city government has a vacant building and a department crying for more space, it makes sense to look at what we already have before building something new. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]