The Building Utilization Group, or BUG, Wrightsville Beach staff, the town manager, his department heads and police and fire chiefs, gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 17, with appointees from the planning board and the parks and recreation advisory committee to continue the dialogue set into motion several months ago to brainstorm future uses for the town’s fire station.

The station is expected to be vacated mid-2010 when the new public safety facility is complete leaving the 4,800 square foot facility vacant and up for grabs.

Built in the 1960s as part of the seawater treatment plant, the steel-framed structure and its concrete footings are sound, said Fire Chief Frank Smith who led his peers on a tour of the building. The fire department has occupied the space since 1983, though mold has driven the crews out of the upstairs dormitories and toxic asbestos materials would impact any major renovation scenario.

Simpson was open to all ideas during the brainstorming session—including recreation uses, storage and even demolition to create greenspace.

An inventory of all of the buildings on the town’s campus revealed an antiquated storage facility, located immediately behind the fire station that is currently used for storage by the police department and Lanier parking. In fact 700 meter heads and 22 pay stations, more than $200,000 worth of equipment inventory are stored in the shed, which is only slightly smaller than the fire station. In one scenario that equipment itself would move to the old fire station and the storage barn dismantled to provide much needed municipal employee parking.

"We just can’t throw that kind of money at pay stations and not protect them," Simpson said.

In other scenarios suggested by parks and recreation advisory committee designee, Greg Files, the building might be gutted with the framework left intact to provide a covered, outdoor shelter for such activities as the farmers’ market, or a staging area for registering participants in garden club or athletic events. Indoor basketball courts and even a skateboard park were also mentioned.

"If we don’t think about those things, somebody will think of them for us," Simpson said. "We’ve got all the key players here. There’s an efficient way to use it all," Simpson said.

Regardless of the outcome challenges would need to be overcome, either upgrades to electrical and sprinkler systems, HVAC and plumbing, or hazardous demolition.

Police Chief John Carey suggested improving the exterior of the fire station with the addition of cedar shingles to be consistent with the appearance of the new safety facility under construction.

"Any modifications you do have to be done by an asbestos qualified contractor," said Chief Smith.

Tom Ames, public works, was asked to estimate the cost of gutting the fire station demolishing the fire station, and demolishing the storage barn separately.

Simpson asked his department heads and the others to consider the ideas that had been expressed. He reminded them that the tight timeframe for making a recommendation to the board of aldermen in February was fast approaching.