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Pocono News Section
Old Fire Station Up for Auction
Old Fire Station Up for Auction - Monday, June 30, 2008 at 3:40PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Jun 30, 2008 @ 03:40pm EST
TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY- Have you ever wanted to own your own fire station? If so, you're in luck. That's because one of Towanda's two remaining fire halls will hit the auction block Monday night.
“We're selling a piece of history," says Towanda Borough Councilman Richard Lewis
Since just after the civil war the Naiad-Linta Fire Company on Poplar Street in Towanda has served the community, until now.
Firefighter Robert Archer said, “At one time in this town, there were seven fire departments and over the years, they've been combined and combined."
But now all the borough's fire equipment and vehicles are stored on Elm Street, making this old home obsolete. Now the building is up for sale Monday night as it is, where it is.
“A business could go in here and have storage on the first floor and living on the second floor, as a benefit. I could see a club or organization coming in here," said Lewis.
Over the last few weeks interested buyers and groups have gotten to tour the building, its garage, kitchen and social rooms. People in town are talking about the possibilities.
Janean White said, “I'd like to see it turned into a Knights of Columbus, because there's a lot of people that go to the church and benefit from the Knights of Columbus and the things they do."
Matt Clark said, “An Indian restaurant would be nice, because they don't have a lot of oriental restaurants around here, or also a parking garage."
Another benefit of the fire company being sold is more tax dollars. One condition of Monday's sale is that the building will be put back on the tax rolls. “75% of the people pay taxes. 25% of properties are tax exempt, because they're government owned. Any tax dollars we can find, are a benefit," added Lewis.
Fire company officials have not said how much money they want for the building in Towanda. They want to keep tonight's auction on a level playing field.
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