The new owner of the once-dilapidated firehouse on Gallatin Avenue in East Nashville is asking for financial help to bring new life to the historic structure.

Nashville interior designer Karen Goodlow — who took ownership of the former Gallatin Road Fire Hall Engine No. 18 at 1220 Gallatin Ave. from Wal-Mart in June — is seeking $35,000 from donors in 30 days on crowdfunding website Kickstarter. She launched the campaign to help with unanticipated construction costs, including repairing severed water and sewer lines that will cost an estimated $35,000.

Goodlow said the entire rehab will cost about $50,000 more than she originally projected because of extensive damage to the 3,166-square-foot structure.

As of Tuesday afternoon, nine backers had pledged $877 to the campaign, which launched Monday. Rewards for donating vary by the amount pledged and include a personalized thank you card with an artist’s painted image of the building, bags of Grounds 2 Give coffee, a ticket to a private event in January with musician Laura McCormick and more.

Goodlow’s vision for the building: to create affordable workspaces for small startup businesses and artists, along with an architectural salvage showroom open to the public. She also plans to host events and art classes in the space and sell her Grounds 2 Give coffee, which donates a portion of its sales to provide basic needs for low-income Nashville residents.

SOURCE: Kickstarter launched to restore East Nashville firehouse
By: Lizzy Alfs