The Firehouse is filled with remnants of former Athens cooperators. An ornate, unicorn-shaped, ceramic clock sits on the house’s mantle, framed by pollinator wall art and a sign for the now-defunct ACME co-op. Current residents have added their mark to the house, too, painting rooms and making the space their own.
Without a landlord, Firehouse members have more autonomy to alter the house. However, they also must deal with maintenance independently.
The co-op often has money for maintenance factored into rent costs and its budget, Jacob Richard, Firehouse resident and treasurer, said. Because of the diversity of the Firehouse’s residents, repairs are often able to be made in-house as well.
Recently, co-op members noticed their water bill was getting higher. One of the roommates began to look at sink faucets and found that many were leaking.
“It's been really, really nice to have a different group of people to kind of compliment (each other),” Sarah Benton said. “Each of us has a different thing that we bring, and it’s all really important.”
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