Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Gary will use a $6 million U.S. Housing and Urban Development loan to build a new $3.25 million fire station at 51st Avenue and Delaware Street, the former site of Pittman Square Elementary. In addition, plans call for the renovation and reopening of Station 10 at 3310 Virginia St., and improvements at the Hudson-Campbell Fitness Center.
The Redevelopment Commission agreed Tuesday to assume the 20-year loan debt with backing from tax increment finance money. Arlene Colvin, director of Community Development, said the city is still responsible for paying back the loan. Colvin said Station 10 at 3310 Virginia St. was closed by flooding. She said an architect is reviewing plans for its renovation.
The Glen Park area has been without a fire station since 2012 when the red brick Station 5 at 4101 Washington St. closed after asbestos was discovered inside.
The fire department initially leased a nearby Merrillville location on 57th Avenue and then moved to the Calumet Township trustee’s multi-purpose center at 1900 W. 41st Ave. where it’s still based. Firefighters have complained about problems hearing calls when the multi-purpose room is in use.
Last year, the school board approved a memorandum of understanding that conveyed property where Pittman Square Elementary once stood at 303 E. 51st Ave. to the city for $1.
thanks Dan
#1 by Wayne on May 2, 2016 - 10:50 PM
The new station is necessary.
The station that Engine 5 is running out of was not designed for a full time fire crew and is a miserable living situation, and it isn’t even in the Gary city limits. The area covered by Station 5 is currently being served by an ambulance that is also housed outside of it’s coverage area, but at least still in Gary. So none of the resources covering that area are in the proper place.
I don’t know enough to comment on whether or not reopening Station 10 is 100% necessary but I do know that they have been running with bare bones, if not inadequate coverage for a long time so any chance they have to reopen stations or resurrect disbanded companies should be celebrated.
#2 by Mike Mc on May 2, 2016 - 3:55 PM
Will Gary ever have the staffing or apparatus to place an engine at a rebuilt Station 10? Is it even worth rebuilding? A tiny, old, single engine house. Sounds like a false promise to pacify the residents of that area who had the temerity to ask why 10 remains closed while they build a new station at 51st and Delaware.
#3 by Crabby Milton on May 2, 2016 - 3:11 PM
That could be deemed as good news for Gary.
It does raise why do they have to rely on the feds? Sure flooding destroyed that station but you’d think most cities have the resources and insurance to handle that. When you do that, you give up much control. But a very small part of me is glad that money is being spent on that rather than some social program.