Neighborhood fights to save historic St. Paul firehouse from demolition

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - A neighborhood association has filed a lawsuit to try and stop the demolition of one of the oldest city buildings in St. Paul – a firehouse that has been part of the Little Bohemia neighborhood since 1871. 

The Hope Engine Company No. 3 Firehouse on Leech Street served the city for 85 years until it was put out of service in 1956. Tim Brock, co-founder of the Little Bohemia Neighborhood Association, says he and others in the area feel the building has historical significance and is worth saving.

Brock is working to stop a permit by developer Bk 200 Grand, LLC. to demolish the building and turn it into a Marriot Hotel.

On Friday, the neighborhood association joined historic Irvine Park Association, Historic Saint Paul and West 7th Fort Road Federation/District 9 Community Council to file a lawsuit requesting a temporary restraining order to stop this piece of St. Paul history.

“It's a lot of historical significance and we think it's a community asset,” Brock said. “Buildings like this add to the fabric of the community both in terms of the cultural significance and the history that it brings. We value places like this.”

Fox 9 reached out to the developer of this project for a comment, but has not received a response.