Central Fire Station Redevelopment: A New Chapter for Downtown Brunswick
- Mike Lyne
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 11
June 24, 2025
Contributed by Mike Lyne, Developers Collaborative
A Vision Rooted in Community Input
For the past two years, Developers Collaborative in partnership with Moderation Brewing, has been planning, designing, and financing the transformation of Brunswick’s historic Central Fire Station (CFS). This project was born from strong public feedback gathered during the Town’s community engagement survey, as well as goals outlined in earlier planning efforts. It reflects a shared vision: honoring the past while building a more vibrant, inclusive future for Downtown Brunswick.
From RFP to Purchase Agreement
Developers Collaborative and Moderation Brewing responded to the Town’s formal Request for Proposals (RFP) in April 2023. They were selected as the preferred development team in July and entered into a purchase and sale agreement with the Town in October. Since then, the team has worked to turn this ambitious idea into a reality.
Creative Financing for Community Goals
The redevelopment of CFS is supported by a diverse financing package. Funding sources include:
Cumberland County Affordable Rental Housing Program (SLFRF)
Brunswick Affordable Housing Support Fund
Historic Tax Credits
A Community Development Block Grant via the Genesis Fund
Conventional financing from Bangor Savings Bank
These resources reflect strong public and private commitment to the project’s success.
A New Home for Moderation Brewing
The ground floor, once home to the station’s fire trucks, will be transformed into a dramatically expanded space for Moderation Brewing. This move allows the brewery to:
Quadruple production capacity
Enter the wholesale market
Serve as a community anchor for a growing Downtown micro-district
The front of the building will feature a lively taproom with indoor and outdoor seating, public restrooms, and new roll-up garage doors opening onto a beer garden. The back of the building will house brewing operations, with updated infrastructure and access to loading areas.
Affordable Housing on the Second Floor
The upper level of the station will be converted into five modern efficiency apartments. These units will include:
Air conditioning
On-site parking
Laundry facilities
Rents will be affordable to households earning 60% or less of the area median income (AMI), helping address a critical need for workforce and affordable housing in the area. Developers Collaborative anticipates advertising units in late Fall 2025.
More Than a Building – A Model for Maine’s Downtowns
The CFS project is about more than rehabilitating a historic structure. It aims to tackle multiple community needs at once including small business growth, housing access, workforce retention, and Downtown revitalization. By blending historic preservation with forward-thinking development, it sets a model for how Maine’s Downtowns can contribute to solving statewide challenges.
Opening in Spring 2026
We’re excited to return this landmark to productive use and introduce a dynamic new space for living, brewing, and gathering in the heart of Brunswick.
Check back often for updates, construction photos, and behind-the-scenes looks at our progress here: https://www.developerscollaborative.com/news-blog/categories/central-fire-station