Fire Station No. 5 building along Riverside Avenue now up for bid

Anyone interested in buying the vacant Fire Station No. 5 building in Brooklyn has 30 days to bid on it.

The Downtown Investment Authority approved a notice of disposition Wednesday to sell and relocate the 7,152-square-foot, 109-year-old structure at 347 Riverside Ave. 

The move will clear the property for a planned realignment of Forest Street across Riverside Avenue to provide better access to the recently announced $145 million Fidelity National Information Services Inc. headquarters.

If a buyer is not found, the city will demolish the structure.

The notice allows potential buyers to request city funding to assist with a proposal. They would have to submit a business plan that includes the expected return on investment and projected tax revenue to the city.

The proposal must include: 

• A building purchase price.

• A cost estimate for relocation signed by a company or contractor.

• Demonstration of financial capacity to relocate the fire station.

• Acknowledgment that no development rights are included in the notice.

• A $5,000 “good faith” cashier’s check or money order.

DIA CEO Lori Boyer said Hygema House Movers & Foundation Repairs estimates it would cost about $500,000 to move the fire station a few blocks. DIA prefers a move within the area.

The DIA also approved a 30-day notice Wednesday giving FIS 16,971 square feet of surplus land left from the alignment in exchange for 130 public parking spaces in the company’s future parking garage, as well as 20 feet of urban open space.

By: Mike Mendenhall
From: Jaxdailyrecord