by Monica Tsai
Staff Writer
The Springfield Preservation and Restoration Council has plans to refurbish its community fire station at 1355 Main St.
“We’re working with the fire department, the fire house and volunteers to restore Fire Station #2 to as close to the original look and design as possible,” said Liz Peak, SPAR Council program director.
Built in 1909, Fire Station #2 is the oldest, continually-operating facility in Jacksonville, perhaps all of Florida. When it was first built it, firefighters used horse-drawn steam engines. During its 94-year history, there have been many modifications to its original look, with additions in 1945, 1967 and lastly, 15 years ago.
In recent years, the fire station lost other parts of the original building. Its roll-down bay doors were discarded in favor of modern versions that accommodate bigger trucks, and their diamond-shaped windows were replaced with square ones. Some windows were simply boarded.
“The gambrel roof, what made the building stand out, is no longer there,” said Peak. “They also removed the Spanish tile and replaced it with standard tile. It took off a lot of the historical quality.”
Maintenance issues such as collapsed ceilings, cracked tile, showers leaking into the engine bays and laundry facilities located outdoors are being addressed through the City’s budget, along with other fire stations throughout the county. Using the labor of the firefighters, the station should be livable within a year.
Sprucing up the inside of the station is necessary, but the restoration project targets the exterior. Returning the old firehouse to its vintage style is the brainchild of Larry Peterson, chief of administrative services for the Fire and Rescue Department. Peterson, who grew up in Springfield and spent 12 years working at the station, he admits part of his motivation stems from sentiment.
“We could level it and put a big, beautiful station there, but it’s the second oldest station in the city,” said Peterson. “This station is a landmark for Springfield and part of the history of fire service in Jacksonville.
“We [the firefighters] restored it the best we could but we need outside help. My budget won’t allow it.”
Familiar with their past fundraising efforts, Peterson turned to the SPAR Council for advice and assistance in making the project happen.
“San Marco is giving $100,000 for their station [to be remodeled],” said Rita Reagan, board member of the SPAR Council. “They are a more established, affluent neighborhood. We don’t have the resources of San Marco.”
They may have limited resources, but not resourcefulness. A plan is being formulated to fund the project through donations and in-kind work.
Architect Peter Evenson, owner of General Drafting and Design, has offered his skills to the organization for construction blueprints.
Total renovation expenses have not been determined
and won’t be until a rendering
is drawn. Evenson must recover the original and additional
plans for the station and conduct a physical inspection of the building. No specific time table has been established for the project.
“I’m just happy they’re not closing it,” said Reagan. “This station is unique because of its age and location in the historic district. They don’t build two-story fire stations anymore.”