Fund-Raising Begins for the People’s Firehouse

Debora Gilbert looks at the efforts to save the People’s Firehouse.

Firehouse Engine Co. 212 on Wythe Avenue on the Northside, an endangered part of neighborhood history and the focus of historical local activism, is in the process of being transformed and saved for posterity. A joint proposal from Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG) and the People’s Firehouse, Inc. (PFI) to save and restore the 212 building as a community center, museum, and home offices for the groups, was accepted by the City in June 2008.

On March 7, amid a flurry of Armory Show-related art events, a celebration and happening were staged in the firehouse in recognition of the progress that has been made toward developing the 140-year-old building into a community town hall. For the first time in several years the doors of the doors of the long-shuttered firehouse were opened to the public the long-shuttered firehouse were opened to the public, as the capital campaign to raise $2 million to renovate the structure begins.

The 1869 firehouse was closed twice by the city to cut costs during fiscal crises. When Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered it padlocked in 2004, a group of activists – later known as the Williamsburg Seven – almost went to jail for around-the-clock picketing and occupying the firehouse. In the mid-1970’s, when Mayor Abe Beame closed it, community activists, fearful that the neighborhood—then rife with boarded-up shells of former factories—would be ravaged by arson, took it over and held the fire truck hostage. The city succumbed to the neighborhood’s wishes and reopened the station, which thereafter became known as “The People’s Firehouse.” The community organization called The People’s Firehouse, Inc. was started in a nearby storefront around that time.

On a recent Saturday, a group of NAG and PFI leaders met with Beth Seward, a representative of the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, who unlocked the door for a long overdue cleaning and to set the scene for the March 7 event. A musty cloud of dust redolent of long neglect and history wafted out onto the street as the garage door was raised by pulling a nearby chain and daylight flooded in.

Peter Gillespie, executive director of NAG, frowned when he noticed empty circuit boxes hanging open. What a time to discover that a neighborhood vandal had looted the building’s wiring for around $200 of resaleable copper. Those present wondered if there would be any electricity for the evening’s event, but after an afternoon of sweeping and setting up, and the installation of a sign on the facade indicating the building’s new status, the place was ready for the evening.

That night, “Wallpaper-Running,” a projected film of New York City marathoners shot by Williamsburg artist Michael Ballou in 1993, and accompanied by mournful bagpipe music played by David Watson, communicated a sense of time slipping swiftly away. The film, shot from a vantage point on North 4th Street, filled the space with the disorienting images of runners’ shadows connected to their real feet and legs at the bottom of the frame. The flickering runners in constant motion seemed an apt metaphor for the stream of activist energy that has animated the struggle for the firehouse. Ballou is known for his exhibitions at Pierogi Gallery and for the seminal 4 Walls Art Project Space, which he ran out of his studio on Bayard Street until just a few years ago.

Saturday’s celebration might never have happened if not for the efforts of longtime activist Del Teague. “The City had told us don’t worry and then they tried to sell it out from under us. If it hadn’t been for Del, the City would have sneaked it through and we wouldn’teven be talking about it,” said Kurt Hill, an organizer for the People’s Firehouse. He credits Teague, the chairperson of PFI’s board and also chair of Community Board #1’s Budget Committee, with spearheading the movement to prevent the firehouse from being sold to developers who were lining up to bid on the landmark.

Teague, who, along with other community leaders, had hoped that the building would be reopened again as a firehouse, had refrained from pursuing other options. Local fire dept. heads had assured her that the building was safe. “It was a real blow,” she said, about hearing from colleagues on CB #1 of the City’s intent to sell the firehouse at auction.

She quickly solicited the help of local politicians. City representatives came to a CB #1 meeting and learned how important the building was to the community. CB #1 formed a steering committee which Teague chaired until she became involved in submitting a proposal and had to step aside. Meetings with the mayor’s office and various City departments, as well as several hearings, led the City Planning Board to withdraw the property from auction and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) instead. NAG and PFI, two groups who had never worked together before, collaborated on a proposal and were awarded the rights to redevelop the site as a community center.

PFI board member Alma Savoia credits City Council members David Yassky and Diana Reyna, Brooklyn Borough Pres. Marty Markowitz, and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol for their help throughout the process. “They continue to be supportive,” she said.

“We now have to raise $2 million in a difficult economic time. We’re working hard,” said Gillespie. He reported he has spoken with Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, even though the project doesn’t qualify for federal stimu-lus money. “We hope the public will support the project. Their support will make it easier in a time of big cuts for our leaders and representatives to support this. If we can prove we can do the project, if we can get the commitments for $2 million, the City will transfer ownership for one dollar,” Gillespie said.

The group has lined up David Hirsch, a partner in the firm of Hirsch/Danois Architects, which is also currently building an affordable housing project on Meeker Street at a former police precinct house. In the planned no-frills renovation at 212, the station’s historic facade will be retained, while new stairs, windows, and an elevator will be added. In addition to providing a permanent base for the ongoing community outreach work of NAG and PFI, the building will provide local cultural organizations with space for exhibitions, meetings, and affordable offices. There will also be space for such functions as weddings. A renovated kitchen will serve as a culinary education program to train local students for work in restaurants.

NAG will hold its Community Town Halls in the firehouse, functions that will provide an open forum for longtime residents and new arrivals alike to discuss problems and aspirations for the community. NAG will continue to pursue its mission of environmental activism and tenants’ rights efforts and will carry on its role as watchdog of local development.PFI will continue its arson prevention and weatherizing work, as well as its anti-displacement and educational programs. A museum may be included to memorialize and preserve the area’s activist history.

A lot has been accomplished. The capital campiagn has secured commitments for $100,000 so far, but much remains to be done, and raising 2 million presents an awesome challenge.