The Galesburg city council has tabled a bid to demolish a former fire station built in 1907.
The bid was first removed from the consent agenda at Monday’s regular meeting. The council then voted 6-0 to table it.
The city sought sealed bids to demolish the former fire station at 647 Maple Ave., saying the building is deteriorating and not economically viable to be repaired.
The winning bid was $55,700 from Fowler Enterprises.
Ward Three Council Member Evan Miller said he believes the city-owned building is structurally in good condition and it has historical value.
“I know there's possibly a couple people might be interested in doing something with it. I would like to see something done with a fire station that had horse-drawn fire equipment in it,” Miller said.
The Maple Avenue Fire Station has been used for storage since it was replaced by a new fire station on West Fremont Street.
In other business, the city council approved a site lease agreement for the National Railroad Hall of Fame, a project first announced to the public in 2006. It will be constructed near the Amtrak station downtown.
The agreement authorizes a 99-year lease agreement for around 25,000 square feet of the city-owned Colton Park, which was named after a man who was central to bringing the railroad to Galesburg.
The cost of the lease is $1 for the entire term for the purpose of constructing the museum.
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