Elkhart City Council Approves Early Demolition Work for Future Public Safety Building
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2026
Elkhart City Council Approves Early Demolition Work for Future Public Safety Building
ELKHART, Ind. — The Elkhart City Council tonight approved an ordinance appropriating $1,858,000 for selective demolition work at the former Chase building, 121 W. Franklin St., advancing the City’s plans for a new Public Safety Building.
The project will prepare the City-owned former Chase building for a major renovation that will ultimately establish a centralized facility for essential City operations. The future Public Safety Building is planned to house the Elkhart Police Department, Fire Administration and Command Staff, the 911/Communications Department, Information Technology Department, and several other City departments.
“I’m excited to see this important project moving forward. The new Public Safety building is a win for Elkhart in every respect. We are repurposing an iconic downtown building that sat vacant for years, while saving the City more than $20 million compared with constructing a new facility.” Said Mayor Roberson “Our current police station has reached the end of its useful life, and we have outgrown Central Fire Station. Our public safety professionals deserve facilities that meet their needs and support the essential work they do every day. This project will provide the space, technology, and capacity needed to serve our community well into the future.”
Work at 121 W. Franklin St. will consist of selective interior demolition, including removal of fixtures, finishes, equipment, and other non-structural building components. The building’s columns, floors, roof, and exterior envelope will remain in place.
The approved work also includes full demolition of the building at 420 S. Second St. Removing that structure will create space for future Police Department garage facilities and parking.
Demolition is expected to begin in early November 2026 and continue through March 2027.
For additional question please contact Alex Otto at 574-350-4209.