Auction fails to find buyer for old fire hall

An auction last Wednesday did not connect the Badrock Volunteer Fire Department with a buyer for its old fire hall at the corner of Kelly Road and Montana 206.

"It didn't turn out too well. No one came and we didn't get any bids," fire district chairwoman Carol Daly said.

Built in the late 1950s, the old fire hall has 2,300 square feet of ground floor space, four overhead doors and an upstairs office.

It went to auction with an appraised value of $90,200.

Under state law, the district could not accept a bid for less than 90 percent of that amount.

"At this point we can drop that [minimum bid] to 70 percent. That gives us more room to negotiate with people," Daly said.

"Of course, we'd like to get more than the minimum."

The fire department hopes to sell its old fire hall and use the proceeds to help pay off a new fire hall it built last summer for $340,000.

The old fire hall proved inadequate for larger fire engines the department has bought, prompting the move to build the new fire hall just up the road. It has five bays and enough land - almost three acres - to support a future expansion.

Daly said it's not likely the district will hold another auction for its old fire hall.

"We have recontacted everyone who indicated an interest, just to let them know the floor has changed and we can accept lower offers now, to see if they're still interested," she said.

"Then we'll probably advertise it like a normal piece of real estate. We'll be happy to show it and take offers."

A for-sale sign put out front has attracted a few interested people.

Daly said the old fire hall could be well suited for storage or to house a small business such as a repair shop, with its overhead doors and floor space.

People interested in seeing or buying the building may call Daly at 892-8155 during the day or 892-0438 in the evening.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.