Old East Forest Park fire station rejuvenated SPRINGFIELD - When contemplating the future of the former fire station on Sumner Avenue in East Forest Park, Roger Roberge said he saw a unique opportunity. At a May 5 unveiling of the restoration of the building into a mixed-use residential-commercial property, the Springfield born and raised real estate developer said the space piqued his imagination.
“I had visions when I walked in here,” Roberge said. “I couldn’t seem to get it off my mind. I had many sleepless nights thinking about it, planning it and putting it all together. You can’t always explain why you fall in love with a building, but you do.”
Since purchasing the property from the city for roughly $50,000 in February 2015, Roberge and his team at RR & Company have been actively redeveloping the former fire house, which was built in 1925.
The completed product is a two-story building with a 2,000-square-foot second-floor apartment that will be available for rent June 1. The first story will hold an office space, which will act as the permanent base of operations for Roberge’s company.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno lauded Roberge for his ingenuity and willingness to devote his time and resources the city.