Galesburg is considering the demolition of an century-old former fire station that has fallen into a state of disrepair.
The former Maple Avenue fire station, located at 647 Maple Ave., constructed in 1907 to serve the city’s growing northern neighborhoods, is the subject of a demolition bid recommendation before the City Council on Monday.
City Manager Eric Hanson, speaking on WGIL’s Galesburg’s Morning News, explained that the station, primarily used for storage in recent years, is deteriorating and requires costly repairs.
City staff have determined that restoration is not economically feasible. Instead, they recommend demolishing the building to make way for improvements to adjacent Bateman Park, near the site’s pickleball courts.
“Having the space is important for continuing neighborhood and park improvements at Bateman,” Hanson said.
The proposed demolition contract, valued at $55,700, would be awarded to Fowler Enterprises LLC of Hampshire. Funds for the project are available in the city’s Property Redevelopment Fund.
Built in 1907 under a contract awarded to Charles Hawkinson, the Maple Avenue Fire Station was designed to improve response times to residential areas north of the Santa Fe tracks, home to many prominent Galesburg businessmen. The station served the community until 2002, when operations moved to the new $1.5 million Fremont Street station. The final items were transferred from Maple Avenue on Nov. 25, 2002.
Despite some public interest in preserving the historic structure, Hanson noted that demolition aligns with the city’s goal of enhancing public spaces and addressing safety concerns posed by the building’s condition. If approved, the demolition would clear the way for future park enhancements, though specific plans for the site remain under consideration.
