New Era Ringing In For Old Fire Station
The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 17, 2008
TAMPA - Dominique Martinez lives with passion and dreams.
His latest is to turn an abandoned, 1925 fire station into his home and an art gallery.
Since he purchased Fire Station No. 5 in Tampa Heights from the city last year for $365,000, he has torn down dividing walls, sheet rock and drop ceilings. The station has 18-inch-thick walks, concrete floors and sturdy lumber, said Martinez, founder and owner of Rustic Steel Creations in the Channel District.
He has hired an architect and is researching the fire station, such as its original colors. He met with firefighters who worked there to learn more about the building. It was last used as a fire station in 1984 and was used by other organizations for short periods since.
His goal is to return the building, 1910 N. Florida Ave., as close as possible to its original design. He wants to add sliding doors, swing doors, a flagpole and lighting to imitate the original design. The city still has to approve his design plans.
Martinez hopes to complete rehabilitating the fire station and move into the 6,500-square-foot building in January 2009. He said he has interviewed several people interested in opening a gallery, which would take up about 2,500 square feet on the first floor.
"It is going to be a wow factor to the city of Tampa," he said of the building. "It is going to be something the city is going to be proud of."
Jose Patino Girona
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jan/17/me-new-era-ringing-in-for-old-fire-station/?news-metro
The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 17, 2008
TAMPA - Dominique Martinez lives with passion and dreams.
His latest is to turn an abandoned, 1925 fire station into his home and an art gallery.
Since he purchased Fire Station No. 5 in Tampa Heights from the city last year for $365,000, he has torn down dividing walls, sheet rock and drop ceilings. The station has 18-inch-thick walks, concrete floors and sturdy lumber, said Martinez, founder and owner of Rustic Steel Creations in the Channel District.
He has hired an architect and is researching the fire station, such as its original colors. He met with firefighters who worked there to learn more about the building. It was last used as a fire station in 1984 and was used by other organizations for short periods since.
His goal is to return the building, 1910 N. Florida Ave., as close as possible to its original design. He wants to add sliding doors, swing doors, a flagpole and lighting to imitate the original design. The city still has to approve his design plans.
Martinez hopes to complete rehabilitating the fire station and move into the 6,500-square-foot building in January 2009. He said he has interviewed several people interested in opening a gallery, which would take up about 2,500 square feet on the first floor.
"It is going to be a wow factor to the city of Tampa," he said of the building. "It is going to be something the city is going to be proud of."
Jose Patino Girona
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jan/17/me-new-era-ringing-in-for-old-fire-station/?news-metro