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Muncie to transfer crisis-center building to Muncie Mission in MOU to expand free health clinic
Summary
The Board of Public Works and Safety approved a memorandum of understanding allowing the Muncie Mission to take over the city’s crisis center facility and expand a free health clinic; the city says the Mission will purchase the building for $1 and assume operating costs now covered by ARP funds.
The Board of Public Works and Safety voted April 15 to approve a memorandum of understanding between Muncie City and the Muncie Mission that will transition the city-run crisis center and support expansion of a free health clinic.
Mayor Ridenour told the board the city will not renew its lease with Meridian, which currently operates the crisis center, after Dec. 31, 2026, and intends to turn the building over to the Muncie Mission. “This will involve allowing them to expand their free health clinic,” the mayor said, adding the arrangement does not technically start until Jan. 1, 2027, to give the Mission time to plan.
The mayor described the facility at 1910 South Mock — a former church with a fellowship hall and ample parking — as suitable for the mission’s services and said the Mission would take on staffing and operating expenses once it owns the building. He gave usage figures for the crisis center: 347 visits in 2025 and 68 visits for January–February 2026. Referral sources included the Muncie Mission and the Hub (about 35%), walk-ins (about 23%) and police (about 19%).
When local reporter Rick Yencer asked how much city money had supported the crisis center, meeting participants said current operations were funded with American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. Staff estimated ARP funding would run out in roughly four months; the mayor also said the Mission will purchase the property for $1. The board approved the MOU by voice vote.
Why it matters: shifting operations to a nonprofit will remove ongoing city operating costs tied to the facility and may affect how crisis services are referred and delivered. The transcript includes two different start/transfer dates mentioned by officials (a Jan. 1, 2027 start date and a July 2027 takeover reference); that timing is not reconciled in the record.
The board took no additional action in this meeting to amend city budgets; officials said the Mission would assume expenses after ownership transfers. The board did not record a roll-call vote by name; approval is reported as a voice vote.
