MISHAWAKA — After receiving no bids last month, the Mishawaka Redevelopment Commission unanimously voted Monday, July 27, to demolish the former Mishawaka Fire Station No. 2 building at 2332 N. Main St. and use the land to expand Normain Heights Park.
The city replaced the former fire station with a new, $15 million purpose-built station at 700 E. McKinley Ave. in 2024, The Tribune previously reported, because the more the city began to expand further north, the more firefighters, vehicles and overall space became necessary.
Originally, the city reached out to local nonprofits and school organizations in hopes of turning the 60-year-old fire station building into a youth center, Planning and Community Development Director Ken Prince said. No interest was expressed until, eventually, the city received a request from Tri-County Ambulance. But the ambulance service withdrew its interest, Prince said.
The idea to demolish the building instead and extend Normain Heights Park to the area, Prince said, stems from the park’s recent success following extensive renovations.
The park just received countywide attention after the city held a grand opening July 18 to celebrate the opening of Pfeil Miracle Field and Lilli’s Playground, an inclusive playground and athletic fields to provide children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities a safe and inclusive place to play, The Tribune’s reporting partner WNDU reported.
Commissioner Bill Pemberton, who abstained voting on the demolition, is a member of the Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Foundation, and said, if anything, the extra space provided by the demolition of the former fire station will allow for additional parking.
“It’s a fantastic project,” Pemberton said “It’s going to be good to the community, good to the area, for special needs children. And I really believe that we’re going to run out of parking. I mentioned this to the mayor [Dave Wood] months ago when you guys were looking at selling to someone else.”
Following the demolition, Prince said, the city will work with V3, Mishawaka’s park design consultant, on modifying the Normain Heights Park master plan to include the property.
Once the park’s master plan is reviewed, updated and approved by the park board, Prince said, the city will prepare a plan that includes the demolition of the building and park modifications as necessary.
The project will likely be bid this winter, according to an email sent by Prince.
Email South Bend Tribune business reporter Jessica Velez at jvelez@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Former Mishawaka Fire Station No. 2 to be demolished, added to park
Reporting by Jessica Velez, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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By Jessica Velez, South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
