By 1831Galion
A former Galion fire station is going back before bidders, this time with a minimum price far below both its appraised value and the threshold used when the city previously offered the property for sale.
The City of Galion is accepting sealed bids for the former Eastside Fire Station at 135 S. Murray St., a nearly 4,000-square-foot concrete block and brick building on approximately 0.642 acres. Bids are due by 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 6, when they are scheduled to be opened and read aloud.
A Former Firehouse With Commercial Potential
According to the city’s bid notice, the building was constructed in 1964 and contains approximately 3,965 square feet. The property spans two parcels and carries an appraised value of $160,000. It should be noted that the City’s information is not entirely accurate. The station was opened to the public on July 7, 1974, a full ten years after the date in the bid notice.
The site is zoned General Commercial, a designation that opens the door to a broad range of potential reuses. Galion’s published zoning information lists offices, retail stores, personal and business services, commercial recreation facilities, motor vehicle sales, hotels and motels, garden centers, certain food and beverage operations, and medical offices and clinics among permitted uses in the district. Similar uses may also be considered through the city’s planning process.
That flexibility could make the former station attractive to buyers looking beyond traditional retail space. A former firehouse, with its specialized layout and municipal history, may present both opportunities and challenges depending on building condition and the intended reuse.
The Minimum Bid Has Fallen Sharply
The most striking element of the new offering is the price floor. Although the property remains appraised at $160,000, the city has set the minimum bid at $25,000. That figure represents just 15.6% of the appraised value.
The contrast becomes even more significant when compared with the city’s previous offering. In 2024, Galion advertised the same 135 S. Murray St. property for sale with the same $160,000 appraisal. At that time, the city required minimum bids of 50% of appraised value, putting the minimum for the former fire station at $80,000.
The new $25,000 floor is therefore $55,000 below the previous minimum, a reduction of nearly 69%. The lower threshold does not guarantee that the property will sell for $25,000. The city says it intends to sell to the “highest and best bidder” and expressly reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
Two Opportunities To Look Inside
Prospective bidders will have two scheduled opportunities to walk through the building before bids are due.
The first will take place at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, July 21. A second walkthrough is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Tuesday, July 28. The city says no other special viewing times will be arranged.
Questions regarding the property or bidding process must be submitted in writing by 12:00 PM on Friday, July 31, according to the city posting.
A Fast, Cash-Only Closing
The terms are notably strict. The sale is being conducted on an as-is, cash basis. The successful bidder must provide a 10% down payment within two days of notification and make payment in full within seven days. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, or cashier’s check. If the city cannot contact the selected bidder, or if full payment is not received within the required period, it may reject that bid and move to the next highest and best bidder.
Sealed bids must be delivered to the Safety-Service Director’s Office at 301 Harding Way East by the August 6 deadline. The city advises bidders to continue checking its bid page for any addenda before submitting an offer.