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Prosper Portland is asking for help as it seeks to redevelop a fire station built in 1913.

The agency sees the 6,692-square-foot building at the foot of the Steel Bridge as a future home for creative offices. But the unreinforced masonry structure has deteriorated badly and is uninhabitable.

Prosper Portland has issued two requests for proposals: one for a historic preservation and tax credit consultant, and another for a general contractor to evaluate the scope of work needed. A pre-project meeting, including a tour of the building, is scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m.

鈥淲e’re hoping we have interest from contractors to participate in this project,鈥� Prosper Portland spokesman Shawn Uhlman said.

The RFP for a historic preservation and tax credit consultant closes Sept. 26. The RFP for a general contractor closes Oct. 10.

Lift Development was selected as development partner after a 2015 request for interest, and the firm remains on board.

Any rehabilitation of the 104-year-old building would be substantial. The firehouse has large cracks, deteriorated mortar, missing and broken bricks, spalled concrete and water damage, according to a Prosper Portland staff report.

The firehouse is built atop unstable soil that is prone to liquefaction in an earthquake.

In 1987, Prosper Portland, then known as the Portland Development Commission, acquired the property at 510 N.W. Third Ave. as part of the Union Station acquisition. The parcel is bounded by Glisan Street, Third Avenue, railroad tracks and Naito Parkway.

To further complicate matters, two fires have occurred in the building this summer; one was sparked and quickly extinguished Thursday. But with a thorough renovation planned, interior fire damage is a minor concern.

鈥淚t doesn’t sound like there was significant additional damage,鈥� Prosper Portland senior project manager Eric Jacobson said.

鈥淭here’s very little inside that could be used,鈥� he added.

Investigators after the fire last week found evidence of habitation, Jacobson said. That suggests someone had been squatting in the condemned building.

The building was secured against intrusion, Uhlman said.

鈥淚t wasn’t like the building was open,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f anyone got in, they forced their way in.鈥�

The agency will work to make the building more secure, Uhlman said.

Despite many challenges, Prosper Portland officials continue to believe the building is worth saving.

鈥淚t’s a local historic landmark, and as owners of that building, we feel in order to be good stewards of it, we should make a good effort to renovate the building and put it into productive use,鈥� Jacobson said.

Prosper Portland plans to turn the building into creative offices. Portland has had one of the nation’s hottest office markets this year.

鈥淲e feel there is a path to success,鈥� Jacobson said. 鈥淚t’s long and complicated and expensive.鈥�