HUD to fund new fire station in Gary

The NWItimes.com has an article about a federal loan for a new fire station in Gary

A $6 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will finance some much-needed projects in Gary. The federal funds will pay for the rehabilitation of the Hudson Campbell Fitness Center downtown, renovation of the auditorium and athletic facilities at West Side High School, and the construction of a new fire station in the University Park area.

Gary’s Station 5 used to be based at 4101 Washington Ave. in the University Park neighborhood, but it has been a “homeless” firehouse since 2012, when a contractor found asbestos. The station has since bounced around to different locations in Merrillville and Calumet Township.

thanks Dan

Tags: Gary Fire Department, HUD to fund new fire station in Gary IN, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

This entry was posted on November 2, 2014, 9:00 PM and is filed under Fire Service News. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

6 Comments (and one trackback)

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#1 by Steve on November 7, 2014 - 5:23 PM

A shame indeed. In the short time I was there things got worse! All things considered it is a great place to be a young fireman and I will miss it very much. I am that Steve! Thank you very much
#2 by Dennis on November 6, 2014 - 8:14 AM

Steve I 100% agree with you. I remember when all 14 stations were open and that wasn’t that long ago. My friend used to be Asst. Chief there and it was a proud department. Its a shame of what the current city administration and the current brass have made it into. I have been to Engine 5’s ” station” and it’s a disgrace to let those guys live there. I’m not sure what exactly is wrong with 5’s old house but it seems why not spend the money to repair it and have them move back. Did Engine 12 take over the east part of 5’s area or is 5 still covering the same parts?

Side note: If this is the steve I think it is, good luck at EFD.
#3 by Steve on November 5, 2014 - 4:28 PM

Dennis, please watch the following video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5bWeihukgg

Having been a Gary fireman and having worked at the current home of Engine 5, a new firehouse is much needed. Distance is not the only factor. Minutes are wasted getting from living quarters to the garage where the apparatus is stored. Many homes in the Glen park (engine 5 district) neighborhood are being demolished to make way for the expansion of Ivy Tech and Indiana university campuses. Both schools have expressed their want for a firehouse closer to their campus. The city received a grant months ago specifically for demolition of vacant structures. With the permanent closure of Engine 10 and Engine 4 being out of service for months with no possible return in the near future the citizens of glen park are in great need for a more centrally located firehouse.
#4 by Dennis on November 5, 2014 - 7:35 AM

See Wayne there’s already an issue. No where in the article does it mention using the money to tear down building’s but yet some councilwomen says yea 1,0000 homes will be torn down a year if they get the grant. So what’s the truth? I bet something will happen and the money will disappear just like last time.

I was out in Gary last week and Engine 5 is exactly 1 mile straight west of their old house. Not a lot of distance as some have said.
#5 by Wayne on November 3, 2014 - 10:50 AM

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/26852745/gary-determined-to-clean-up-abandoned-buildings-that-attract-crime

Now what exactly they do and how well they do it is still up in the air but they did just get exactly that.
#6 by Dennis on November 3, 2014 - 9:40 AM

This is great news but it would also be nice for the sake of the safety of both the firefighters and the citizens of Gary if the city could get a grant and begin tearing down the many vacant, falling apart & and otherwise dangerous buildings.