INDIANAPOLIS – Those living on Indy’s north side have asked the city to reconsider its decision to close their fire station.
The station located at 56th and Illinois streets was closed nearly a year ago.
The Butler Tarkington Neighborhood Association sent a letter to Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Indianapolis fire chief because they believe emergency response times have increased.
In the letter, addressed by neighborhood association President Clark Kirkman, he asks city officials to re-examine the sale of the building.
"We're obviously disheartened. We'd like to have our safety standards maintained, the safety we enjoyed when we had Station 16 right at our doorstep,” said Kirkman.
Commissioners recently approved the sale of the fire station to a company looking to preserve the building by opening a new restaurant in the space.
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"The residents of that area should be very assured that anytime they call 911 they're going to get the appropriate resources they need in the timely fashion they've come to expect,” said Rita Reith with Indianapolis Fire Department.
Fire officials said reopening the station is not on the table, but building a new one in the area is part of its 20-year plan.
