Langley City Council approves five-year firehouse lease

Published 3:14 pm Friday, February 19, 2016

The Langley City Council unanimously approved a five-year extension to an existing lease for Callahan’s Firehouse Studio this week.

The vote was made during the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Langley owns the 8,500-square-foot property and 2,500-square-foot building that used to serve as the city’s fire station. Since 2009, the city has leased it to the studio’s owner, Callahan McVay. The previous lease ran through 2024, and the extension would allow McVay to stay at the Second Street locale until 2029.

As part of the deal, the city will get a handful of parking spots designated for public use on the backside of the property.

The blown-glass studio has been successful, and McVay said having location and long-term tenant security will help his business plan.

“It gives me some breathing room and time to plan and grow and be part of this community,” McVay said to the city council.

McVay had offered to buy the building from the city in 2015, but his offer was rejected after the council chose to retain possession of what was deemed a community asset.