MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie Crisis Center will “cease operations” effective on Friday, July 3.
Mayor Dan Ridenour’s administration announced in April that the building housing the center, at 809 W. Eighth St., would be transformed into a no-cost community health clinic operated by the Muncie Mission.
An agreement with the city calls for Muncie Mission to become owner of the property in 2027, the release said.
The city’s agreement with Meridian Health Services to operate the crisis center for those with addiction issues expires at the end of this year.
At an April 15 meeting of the Muncie Board of Works, Ridenour said the crisis center saw 347 visits in 2025, and 68 more through February of this year.
At that time, Ridenour said Meridian intended to continue to operate the center through December.
In a June 24 announcement of plans to close the center in coming days, the administration said those “currently receiving services through the crisis center (should) contact Meridian Health Services as soon as possible to discuss continuity of care and available resources.”
“We understand this news may be concerning for individuals and families who rely on these services,” that release said.
The city bought the site of the crisis center, the former longtime location of Workman’s Bar, for $125,000 in March 2023. The building that housed the bar was demolished in January 2024.
In April, Ridenour — who is now recuperating after cancer surgery — said the decision to not renew the agreement for the crisis center was based in part on Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 1, which reduces funding for local government.
“Currently with the crisis center, we pay for staffing,” he said. “We pay for all expenses, where the Muncie Mission will be taking over those expenses once they own the building. They will be taking care of their own staffing.”
The city said the no-cost health clinic will “serve individuals who currently face barriers to accessing adequate health care,” in the process “strengthening the community’s support network.”
Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie Crisis Center to ‘cease operations’ effective July 3
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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By Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press | USA TODAY Network
