(My Edmonds News, January 18, 2022)
Photo and story by Larry Vogel
A familiar sight at public events ranging from the Fourth of July parade to the spring and summer markets, Edmonds’ classic 1938 Ford fire engine is a living piece of our community history.
Parked for years in Edmonds Fire Station No. 17 next to the Public Safety Building, this icon of our past spends most of its time out of public view, only rolling out for community events and occasional school programs where it never fails to draw attention, especially from the younger set.
But that might be about to change.
Earlier this month, the Edmonds Architectural Design Board considered a proposal by Main Street Commons developer Mike McMurray to add a glassed-in pavilion to the project dedicated to housing this living piece of our history.
The proposed plan calls for locating the fire engine pavilion just off 6th Avenue. The structure would feature an overhanging roof, giving the added benefit of more outdoor gathering space that would be out of the weather and usable regardless of season.
While final approval remains forthcoming, board members were unanimous in their support of — and enthusiasm for — the addition, with Board Chair Kim Bayer remarking that it would be “a great enhancement…with great linkage to the history of Edmonds.”