Yonkers to raze 100-year-old firehouse

[x635 4,066]

I always had hoped that the fate of this firehouse would not come to this, but with the deplorable condition of the building, I don't think there was a choice. It would have made a great Yonkers Fire Museum, at least.

Yonkers to raze 100-year-old firehouse

By Ernie Garcia

The Journal News • May 13, 2008

YONKERS — A century-old westside firehouse that different groups have sought to preserve since its 1982 closure will be razed in the coming months.

Fire Station 2 at 9 Vineyard Ave. has been the subject of various redevelopment proposals over the decades by nonprofit groups and churches, none of which were ever able to make a reality.

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...NEWS03/80513004

[e92l44 0]

I always had hoped that the fate of this firehouse would not come to this, but with the deplorable condition of the building, I don't think there was a choice. It would have made a great Yonkers Fire Museum, at least.

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...NEWS03/80513004

any pictures?

[helicopper 1,050]

any pictures?

Check out post 26 in http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopic=24811&hl=

[KCRD 6]

Its very sad that this house couldn't be re-opened. Its in terrible condition but a firehouse is needed in this section of town. A shame the city won't let 2 engine come back.

Edited May 13, 2008 by KCRD

[x635 4,066]

Yonkers seems to put a lot of money into the apparatus, training, and other sections of the fire department budget, while it seems to an outsider very little is invested into upgrading the fire stations to meet today's needs. Is that the case?

If so, could the city have done the bare minimum on maintainence for this building to at least keep it "alive" until a further disposition was found, or was this firehouse decrepit when it was closed?

[batt2 145]

Yonkers seems to put a lot of money into the apparatus, training, and other sections of the fire department budget, while it seems to an outsider very little is invested into upgrading the fire stations to meet today's needs. Is that the case?

If so, could the city have done the bare minimum on maintainence for this building to at least keep it "alive" until a further disposition was found, or was this firehouse decrepit when it was closed?

Yonkers, like many big cities, went through tough economic times in the 1960's and 1970's. Not enough money was spent on capital projects like keeping buildings in good shape. In 1980, the Captain of Station 2 asked the Department for repairs on the house and documented all its problems. On September 15, 1980, the Station was closed "due to a determination that the building is in questionable structural condition and the immediate removal of men and apparatus is imperative."

Currently Yonkers has been spending money on firehouses. There is a Capital budget and Plan which has rebuilt apparatus floors to handle modern loads, renovated crumbling ceilings, installed backup generators in all houses, repaired leaking plumbing and heating systems, installed apparatus exhaust systems in all the firehouses. Stations 1 and 10 will someday be replaced. So, while we would have liked to see Station 2 maintained, you can't say that there is very little invested in our stations. Those of us who love the YFD's history are sad to see the building go. It was a very busy one with E2 and T2 riding out to some of the most difficult jobs in "The Hollow" during the 60's and 70's. Many great firefighters and bosses came from those companies.

The picture that was posted in EMTBravo recently doesn't fully convey the tragic state of the building. The view from the side is more telling.

Edited May 13, 2008 by batt2

[61MACKBR1 222]

As Chief Dunn clearly and professionally points out, Station 2, and specifically Engine 2 and Truck 2 were one of the busiest tandem of companies around. Handling "The Hollow" during the late 60's and throughout the 70's, was no easy task. When Engine 2 was running the 1971 ALF Closed Cab Engine (With the Wide Fin Roof Extension Across The Back of the Truck) and Truck 2 was using the 1968 ALF Red Closed Cab Mid Mount, these were 2 of Yonkers all time classic rigs.

Also as Cheif Dunn points out, there are many good times ahead, as it relates to new firehouses in Yonkers. With the anticipated New 6 Bay Fire Headquarters planned as part of the New Downtown Development, along with the possibility of a New Station 10 (maybe related to a New Ladder Company [76?] as part of the New Ridge Hill Development) in the works, this will certainly provide Yonkers with state of the art buildings to house existing and new fire companies throughout the city. I am sure that member of YFD have more insight into this and might be better equiped to comment on this.

As far as a potential site for a Yonkers Fire Muesum, since the Old Station 8 appears not to be structurally safe, I would think that the current Station 10 would be an ideal location, but again, this is only my opinion.

[oilflame 0]

do you think they will build a new fire house there for somthing ? any one know

Edited May 14, 2008 by oilflame