For the second time, a building at 24 W. 73rd Ave. will be used by the Merrillville Fire Department. The facility is in the midst of being remodeled to become the department's headquarters. Built in the 1870s, the structure originally served as a Methodist church, Fire Chief Ed Yerga said.
It became a fire station in 1958, and it was most recently used as the Ross Township trustee's office before the title of the property was transferred to the town in 2015, Yerga said.
Deputy Fire Chief Jim Lilley said the renovation project includes making the building look like the previous fire station again. That has involved creating the appearance of firetruck bay doors on the exterior of the building, but the doors aren't functioning, Lilley said.
The building will have many of its original architectural features, such as high arches. Offices also will be created.
Lilley said construction started in September, and the project remains on schedule. The headquarters could be open by mid-February, he said.
Yerga said the Merrillville Fire Protection Territory is spending about $600,000 for the entire project, and there have been many efforts to keep costs as low as possible.
Prior to construction starting, town firefighters volunteered their time to complete interior demolition at the site to save funds, Yerga sa