The Brownwood City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved authorizing the loan of a 1944 Mack fire engine to Marco Sandoval, owner of Common Grounds Coffeehouse.

The fire truck will be placed inside the new location of Common Grounds Coffeehouse, located at the site of the former Brownwood Central Fire Station at the intersection of Main and Austin, which intends to open in mid-June.

The City currently owns a 1944 Mack Fire Engine that was on display at the Martin and Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum for many years. Storage at the museum was recently lost due the growth of the train museum and the engine is currently sitting outside of the fire station in the elements.

This fire engine has a long history of service to the City of Brownwood and should remain a part of Brownwood’s history. Unfortunately, due to being stored in the elements for many years, the engine has fallen into disrepair and is currently not in running condition.

Marco Sandoval, owner of Common Grounds Coffeehouse, has requested to display the fire engine inside of the newly remodeled coffeehouse located in the old City Fire Station at 809 Main Street.

Much like an artifact on loan from a museum, the City would maintain ownership of the fire engine and place the apparatus in the care of Sandoval to help preserve the historical significance of this important piece of department history.