When Lake Elmo residents were asked last year to weigh in on potential future uses of the city’s old fire station and former parks building in the Old Village, they overwhelmingly supported plans featuring eating and drinking establishments and family-friendly spaces.

The survey showed that residents want to preserve the charm and character of the Old Village, the city’s historic downtown area, said Community Development Director Jason Stopa.

“They would like to limit ‘big-box’ development there,” he said. “They want something local. They want a site that is accessible for them to use, where they can come together as a community.”

City officials are now soliciting requests for proposals for the purchase and redevelopment or reuse of the old fire station, located at 3510 Laverne Ave. N., and the former parks building at 11200 Upper 33rd St. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 14; an open house of the fire station building will be 9 a.m. to noon July 1.

The minimum bid, as set by the Lake Elmo City Council, is $100,000 for the entire site, but the buildings could be sold separately, Stopa said. The city reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, he said.

One of the top suggested uses were a taproom and bar and grill — “some kind of place to gather to eat food and drink,” he said. “A place where people can go get food if they’re playing baseball across the street would be ideal.”

Also ranking high on the list of preferred uses: Housing, including mixed use; a community center and green spaces, Stopa said. Commenters on the city’s Facebook page have suggested an art gallery, gym, splash pad, wine bar or indoor playground be built on the site.

The old fire station, built in 1957, is about 4,600 square feet. It has been added onto twice, the most recent time in 1979 when the ladder truck bay and kitchen were added to the west side of the building. The parks building is about 1,800 square feet.

A 10-member scoring committee, consisting of members of the city’s Economic Development Authority, the chairperson of the planning commission and two city staff members, will review responses to the request for proposals and then present options to the council for consideration, Stopa said. The council is expected to select the finalist in September, he said.

More information is available online at bit.ly/4ncyqyj.