Elkhart Approves $1.86M Interior Demolition for Safety Hub

Elkhart approved a $126.6 million budget for 2027, about $7.7 million more than the previous year, in an 8-1 vote after council members cut funding for several positions. The plan includes police vehicles, park improvements and three additional firefighters for the new Fire Station 6; city officials say stronger local income growth and changes to state law have eased expected revenue pressures. Separately, the council approved nearly $1.9 million for demolition work to prepare the vacant former Chase building for conversion into a public safety hub housing police, fire administration, 911 dispatch and other city departments. The project also includes demolishing a building on South Second Street for future police garage and parking space; officials say reusing the downtown building could save more than $20 million compared with new construction. Demolition is expected to run from November 2026 through March 2027, with the full renovation requiring additional investment.