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Abandoned, Historic Fire Stations Now Up For Bid in Detroit

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From Eastern Market's FD Lofts to the renovated Grand River Station, there's always something especially appealing about the idea of converting disused municipal buildings into something new. With that in mind, we have eight examples of that exact brand of real estate, all recently placed up for bid by the City of Detroit, most of which are fire stations vacated after last summer's cutbacks. The city's property descriptions aren't too detailed, but we've combined what's available with some fresh photos (click to enlarge) into a handy map. Here now, eight former municipal buildings looking for new life.


· City of Detroit RFP Documents [Official]

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Ladder No. 8

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SW Detroit's Ladder 8 looks to have been abandoned long ago. The city doesn't bother to provide a single detail about the building itself, choosing instead to focus on the lot, which is 11,238 square feet. Perhaps this is the city's way of saying Ladder 8 isn't worth saving.
Min Bid: $59,000
SF: Unknown

Engine No. 10

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Vacant since 2012, Ladder 10 contains two bathrooms, eight toilets, and some minor interior vandalism. The city goes the extra mile to make sure prospective buyers understand that the fetching facade does not reflect the surrounding area, which it lovingly describes as an "older, blighted residential neighborhood."
Min Bid: $128,000
Sq/Ft: 6,724

Engine No. 49

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Sadly, Engine 49 is in terrible shape. The trouble started with a break-in last July, just after the station first closed. Things have only gone downhill since then. The interior is largely destroyed—even the toilets are missing.
Min Bid: $55,000
Sq/Ft: 3,724

Ladder No. 16

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Ladder 16 doesn't look too bad from the exterior, but the description's lack of detail isn't reassuring. We know that it has two bathrooms with ten total toilets. This one comes with some bonus blight: the city is including the burnt-out house next door as part of the package.
Min Bid: $76,000
Sq/Ft: Unknown

Ladder No. 12

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Built in 1925, Ladder 12 is a manageable size, but a tad pricy. It's easy to imagine a couple apartments on the second floor, perhaps with commercial below. Inside you'll find two bathrooms with seven total "fixtures." Despite having been vacated just last year, the interior already has some evidence of vandalism. Comes with a bonus parking lot and extra garage in the back.
Min Bid: $116,000
SF: 4,825

Engine No. 18

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We know that Engine 18 has only minor interior vandalism, that it has three stories, and that there's a garage in back. That's all the info the city provides, which is especially unfortunate as Engine 18's size and unique architecture have us itching to learn what's going on inside.
Min Bid: $95,000
Sq/Ft: 6,824

Ladder No. 38

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Ladder 38 comes with a "deteriorated" garage in the back, which was previously used as stable. Dating back to 1915, Ladder 38's facade features a ring of ornate tile work. Its current condition isn't disclosed. Photo and info on this particular location comes to us courtesy of Detroit Urbex.Min Bid: $60,000
Sq/Ft: 5,960

DPD Former 9th Precinct

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A deliciously ornate building that has seen only better days, the former 9th Precinct is two adjoining structures—one for offices, one for horses. Both were built in the 1920s and have endured "some" damage.
Min Bid: $66,000
Sq/Ft: 7,068 (main building) + 1,122 (small addition)

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Ladder No. 8

SW Detroit's Ladder 8 looks to have been abandoned long ago. The city doesn't bother to provide a single detail about the building itself, choosing instead to focus on the lot, which is 11,238 square feet. Perhaps this is the city's way of saying Ladder 8 isn't worth saving.
Min Bid: $59,000
SF: Unknown

Engine No. 10

Vacant since 2012, Ladder 10 contains two bathrooms, eight toilets, and some minor interior vandalism. The city goes the extra mile to make sure prospective buyers understand that the fetching facade does not reflect the surrounding area, which it lovingly describes as an "older, blighted residential neighborhood."
Min Bid: $128,000
Sq/Ft: 6,724

Engine No. 49

Sadly, Engine 49 is in terrible shape. The trouble started with a break-in last July, just after the station first closed. Things have only gone downhill since then. The interior is largely destroyed—even the toilets are missing.
Min Bid: $55,000
Sq/Ft: 3,724

Ladder No. 16

Ladder 16 doesn't look too bad from the exterior, but the description's lack of detail isn't reassuring. We know that it has two bathrooms with ten total toilets. This one comes with some bonus blight: the city is including the burnt-out house next door as part of the package.
Min Bid: $76,000
Sq/Ft: Unknown

Ladder No. 12

Built in 1925, Ladder 12 is a manageable size, but a tad pricy. It's easy to imagine a couple apartments on the second floor, perhaps with commercial below. Inside you'll find two bathrooms with seven total "fixtures." Despite having been vacated just last year, the interior already has some evidence of vandalism. Comes with a bonus parking lot and extra garage in the back.
Min Bid: $116,000
SF: 4,825

Engine No. 18

We know that Engine 18 has only minor interior vandalism, that it has three stories, and that there's a garage in back. That's all the info the city provides, which is especially unfortunate as Engine 18's size and unique architecture have us itching to learn what's going on inside.
Min Bid: $95,000
Sq/Ft: 6,824

Ladder No. 38

Ladder 38 comes with a "deteriorated" garage in the back, which was previously used as stable. Dating back to 1915, Ladder 38's facade features a ring of ornate tile work. Its current condition isn't disclosed. Photo and info on this particular location comes to us courtesy of Detroit Urbex.Min Bid: $60,000
Sq/Ft: 5,960

DPD Former 9th Precinct

A deliciously ornate building that has seen only better days, the former 9th Precinct is two adjoining structures—one for offices, one for horses. Both were built in the 1920s and have endured "some" damage.
Min Bid: $66,000
Sq/Ft: 7,068 (main building) + 1,122 (small addition)