Cincinnati finalizes details of Old Engine 9 sale to African American firefighters

Cincinnati City Council has passed unanimously and ordinance approving the sale of the Old Engine 9 firehouse to the Cincinnati African American Firefighters Association (CAFA).

In April, council adopted a motion approving the sale of the building at 4017 Reading Road in Avondale to CAFA for $1, to be used as a meeting facility for members and as a community-based learning center for area adults and children.

Because the property has been appraised at $175,000, terms of the sale require CAFA to maintain ownership of the building or five years, or ownership will revert back to the City.

The sale will put the building in the hands of CAFA in time for a regional conference of African American firefighter chapters this October.

Built in 1929, the City vacated the building for a new LEED-certified facility at 4379 Reading Road, which was dedicated in February.

Renovation work will be paid for by federal grants.

Photo credit: CFDHistory.com

Previous reading on BC:
City to prepare Old Engine 9 for sale (6/5/08)
Old Engine 9 to be sold to African American firefighters (4/29/08)
Inside Cincinnati Fire Station No. 9 (4/1/08)
Cole wants Engine 9 sold to African American firefighters (3/6/08)
Cincinnati's first LEED-certified public building opens today (2/27/08)