New fire station planned for MLK Boulevard, Highland Avenue

MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie's new Fire Station 6 will be built at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Highland Avenue, on the grounds of McCulloch Park, city officials announced.

It will replace the longtime home of Fire Station 6 at 1505 MLK Jr. Blvd. The existing station has "numerous foundation, mold, and livability issues," according to a news release.

Mayor Dan Ridenour has discussed the move with Carl Malone, city parks superintendent, and several members of Muncie City Council, who were reported to be "enthusiastic about the location," according to that release.

Because of train tracks running parallel to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the fire station is "the only station that can serve the Whitely (neighborhood) and the east side of Muncie when a train is present," the release said.

The administration has discussed plans to replace the fire station with City Council members since 2022. The new station will include living quarters and three bays for fire engines and ambulances.

“Being located directly on Highland reduces our response time for the most populated area (in the Whitely neighborhood),” Fire Chief Dan Burford said of the station's new location. “Our firefighters will finally be housed in quarters that meet all of their needs.”