Neighborhoods Resource Center Could Sell Historic Germantown Fire Hall

This post contains a correction.*

Nashville’s nonprofit Neighborhoods Resource Center — which helps local leaders work with city government to improve neighborhoods — could sell the historic fire hall that has served as its office in Germantown.

The center has fallen on hard times in recent years. The nonprofit missed out on large grants, fired staff members and overhauled its board before bouncing back with some fundraising.

Selling the fire hall  — worth about a half million dollars — would allow the organization to invest and guarantee its survival for at least four more years, said president Jim Hawk.

“Well, emotionally, we hate to leave the building. Because it is a beautiful building. It’s historic. And that’s important to a lot of people,“ Hawk said. “But, mission-based, it just doesn’t make sense to remain there. Because what we really need to be doing as an organization is being out in the neighborhoods.”

The agency would find new office space, Hawk said.

But before they can sell, they must pay Metro $100,000 for the building*, based on a 2007 deed agreement and recent negotiations. The council moved one step closer to relinquishing its interests in the property in a vote Tuesday night.

Some council members balked at letting go of a coveted property, but the measure passed 34 to 4.