By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A developer has purchased the city’s first firehouse at 113 S. Lee St., and City Council will consider terminating covenants and restrictions listed in the deed for the property.
Sara Jo Bartlett, an airplane pilot from Salisbury, bought the downtown landmark. Built in 1896, the building has been vacant for years and formerly housed a florist. Firehouse Building LLC had owned the property since 2006.
Bartlett could not be reached Monday for comment. Her attorney, Jay Dees, said she is considering a restaurant on the first floor and residential areas on the second floor, but plans are not complete.
The building also served as Salisbury’s first city hall. The city sold the property in 1975 with conditions that included a reversion clause if the property was not developed in a way that preserved its architectural integrity.
But the property has more protection today than it did 37 years ago.
The firehouse is now located within a local historic district, subject to the review of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
And Bartlett likely will pursue a federal historic preservation tax credit, which requires review by the State Historic Preservation Office, said Joe Morris, director for the city’s Community Planning Services, in a memo to City Council.
The council will consider the issue at 4 p.m. today in City Hall, 217 S. Main St.
The restored building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was once home to the city’s horse-drawn fire apparatus, as well as the city’s first motorized fire engine. Built with solid brick walls and a wood truss roof, it was completely rebuilt and renovated in 1984.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda for the 4 p.m. Salisbury City Council meeting:
• Consider closing the 100 and 200 blocks of North Main Street from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 for a United Way Kick-Off event.
• Hear about the North Lee Street streetscape improvement project.
• Hear about a cooperative program to restore the West End Community Garden through a grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Nourishing North Carolina Program.
• Hear about the city’s new website.
• Receive public comment and City Manager Doug Paris’ comments.
• Hear from General Manager Mike Jury about upgrades to Fibrant.
• Review the Rowan Kannapolis ABC Board’s final budget.
• Go into closed session to consult with an attorney about real estate.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.