MNN's Firehouse Media Center Project aims to renovate the historic East Harlem facility as a state-of-the-art Community Media and Broadcast Center.

Working with local groups, MNN will return the vacant building to full community use and to offer the following services, at no charge, on an open, uncensored and equitable basis:

• Live Broadcast & Production Studios

• Multi-Purpose Meeting, Exhibition & Performance Space

• New Media Training and Mentoring for Adults and Youth

• Editing, Camera and Studio Facilities

• Broadband Access and Training

A key component of the new Firehouse will be a stand-alone Youth Media Center, offering New Economy skills and job training to young people between the ages of 12-25. The Youth Media Center will also produce 20-hours a week of programming made by youth, for youth, that will air on MNN's four cablecast channels to more than 600,000 subscribers in Manhattan.

The demand for access to New Media skills and training services for all City residents is growing rapidly. Underscoring this trend is the shift in City's economy and workforce to skilled sectors such as the growing film and video production and media industries.

The Firehouse Media Center presents new opportunities for the people of New York City to access new technologies and skills on an affordable, equitable and open basis.

The Firehouse Media Center Project

• Supporting the revitalization of East Harlem and Upper Manhattan

• Restoring a Vacant Building to Community Use

• Ensuring Youth Access to New Media Training and Mentoring

• Supporting Efforts to Overcome the Digital Divide

• Providing Open and Equitable Access to Tech Skills and Training Services

• Empowering Local Neighborhoods and Residents Through Access to Media

History of the Firehouse

The Firehouse dates back to the late 1800’s. It was designed by Napoleon Le Brun & Sons, the official architects of the New York City Fire Department.

Napoleon Le Brun was originally from Philadelphia who moved to New York City shortly after the Civil War. He designed firehouses and other buildings in New York City, including the Metropolitan Life Insurance Building. Le Brun also designed Saint Cecilia’s Church on 106th Street between Lexington and Park Avenue.

In May of 1883, the New York City Fire Department purchased the lot on 104th Street for $5,500. On January 15, 1885, Engine 53 moved into the brand new building.

The basement was for coal storage and a workshop. The street level floor was roughed in squares to give the horses traction. The second floor front housed the Captain¹s office, and the rear and third floor were used as dormitories. On the third floor a handball court was built much later. There was an outhouse in the rear yard.

The hose tower, which looks from the front as if it were another full floor, had a water tank for spare supply, hay and grain storage for the horses. It also had a wall shoot or well which served to dry the hoses, and to shovel down the hay and grain.

In February, 1893, the building had hot water and an indoor toilet added. Horses were used as late as 1922, and at about that time a cement floors was poured at street level to accommodate the "horseless" carriages and pumpers.

In 1972, Engine 53 moved to Third Avenue and 102nd Street. El Museo del Barrio began renting the building in 1973 making gradual improvements to the building. In May of 1980, with a grant from Con Ed, El Museo del Barrio purchased the firehouse at public auction from the City of New York.