Merrillville council approves $33 million redevelopment bond proceeds, authorizes design and construction contracts for new Fire Station 73

The Merrillville Town Council on June 24 approved an ordinance appropriating proceeds of a $33,000,000 redevelopment bond and authorized contracts to design and build a new Fire Station 73 and related street and paving work.

The ordinance (25-19) to appropriate proceeds of bonds of the Merrillville Redevelopment Authority passed on a 7-0 roll call. Councilwoman Uslak moved the ordinance and Councilman Pettit seconded; the Clerk-Treasurer called the roll and recorded seven votes in favor. Town staff described the action as the final council step needed to move forward with projects funded by the bond.

Council members and staff emphasized the fire station project as a primary use of the bond proceeds. The council approved an agreement with American StructurePoint to provide engineering and architectural services for Fire Station 73 (resolution 25-28) and authorized a construction management agreement with Core Construction LLC (resolution 25-29). Chris Murphy of American StructurePoint told the council the firm expects to prepare construction documents in 2026 and that construction could start in 2026 with completion aimed for 2027. Core Construction, which previously built the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, will manage construction if the council follows the planned schedule.

Council discussion linked the bond to a package of town projects. Council members noted bond-funded work will include the new fire station in the 9300 block of Colorado Street, Whitcomb Street improvements and other paving projects discussed earlier by the redevelopment commission. When asked if this ordinance represented the last council action on the $33,000,000 bond, staff replied it was the final appropriation step on this item.

The council voted by roll call to approve the engineering and construction agreements; both resolutions carried 7-0. Council members gave staff direction to proceed with design and to coordinate schedules with Core Construction and StructurePoint. Town Manager Michael Griffin and other staff said they would circulate signed copies of the resolutions to petitioners and the state representative who assisted with the memorial-mile legislation during the meeting.

The council’s approvals move the town closer to the construction phase for the new fire station and related street work. Staff stated the design and construction schedule could result in an operational station in 2027; councilors said they expect regular project updates as design documents and bids are prepared.