Worcester nonprofit buys historic firehouse for sex trade recovery shelter
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The Cambridge Street Firehouse, Worcester
Worcester human services nonprofit Living in Freedom Together Inc. purchased the historic Cambridge Street Firehouse in Worcester to turn into a drop-in shelter for people harmed by the sex trade.
LIFT purchased the firehouse at at 534 Cambridge St. and its adjoining parking lot for $750,000 in a deal closed on July 22, according to the Worcester District Registry of Deeds. The deal was brokered by Amy Stillman of Rubric Commercial, LLC, which has offices in Worcester and Cambridge.
The nonprofit intends to use the property for its health care, advocacy, room, board, outreach, rehousing (HARBOR) program, which provides shelter for people looking to leave the sex trade, Stillman said.
When reached for comment Wednesday, LIFT officials declined to provide further details on its plans for the property.
LIFT currently operates a 15-bed shelter for its HARBOR program. In addition, its Jana’s Place offers housing and services for women from the sex trade who have substance use and mental health disorders.
The seller of the firehouse was Quality Contracting Inc. of Auburn, which purchased the building in 2002 for $35,000 and the parking lot in 2005 for $70,000.
The Queen Anne-style firehouse was designed by Worcester architectural firm Fuller & Delano and built in 1886. It was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, according to the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System.
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