Fire Department Waits for the Right Buyer

Ever since construction began on a sleek, state-of-the-art fire station on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, offers for the historic Fire Station No. 1 across the street have streamed in.

Restaurateurs, local unions and auto-shop owners wanted the red brick, two-story firehouse. But the volunteer fire department held tight, eventually hiring Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Co. to handle the sale of the property at 8131 Georgia Ave.

The Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department will decide who gets the property. Its president, Kenneth L. Heltzel, said the department is waiting for a buyer who will offer the right price and the right concept.

"We're in no hurry," Heltzel said. "We're not having a fire sale here."

Nathan Pealer and David Weber of Marcus & Millichap have been showing the property for a few weeks, drawing interest from more than 30 groups that have viewed the site and fielding calls from more than 100 other potential buyers.

Ideas for the firehouse, which was built in 1914 and doubled as a National Guard armory until 1927, include a restaurant and brewery, art galleries and office space.

"There's just not that many properties like this that go available," Pealer said. "It hasn't been on sale for 90 years, and who knows when it'll go on sale again."

Project proposals are being accepted through Sept. 27, and the fire department hopes to decide by the end of October if there's a qualified buyer. The suggested minimum bid is $2.5 million

Heltzel said the firefighters want a buyer who will keep the original building, which is listed in Montgomery County's Locational Atlas and Index of Historic Sites. He said he preferred a restaurant or brew pub. He said none of the offers so far have met his expectations for price and use of the building.

Anyone buying the property for retail use would be faced with a significant renovation project. The four electric doors fronting on Georgia Avenue open to the garage, which has high ceilings, concrete floors and a fire pole from the second floor. Behind that is a lounge and a kitchen.

The second floor has a 1960s look to it, with brown carpeting and bare drywall where the firefighters' bunk beds used to be.

The 6,000-square-foot property is zoned for central business district use, permitting commercial or residential use, or both. Because of the historic designation, any major changes or demolition would be subject to scrutiny by the county Historic Preservation Commission.