MUNCIE, Ind. — After facing opposition for the location chosen for a new community center, $500,000 allocated to its development will be given to the Industry Neighborhood Association by Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour. While the former Industry Methodist Church, 1910 S. Mock Ave, will still become a community center for Southside and Southeast Muncie neighborhoods, Industry neighborhood will use the funding to work towards a long awaited replacement of the South Madison Community Center. The Community Center Advisory Committee established last year will work with Brothers 2 Brothers to make the center happen.

On July 28, Ridenour announced that the center would not be located in Industry neighborhood. After the Mock Ave location became the only choice by the city, the advisory committee “voted” in favor according to Ridenour. According to multiple accounts, there was no formal vote but a conversation between members. Ridenour said he was glad the committee “saw the bigger picture” and were in favor, and added that he believed he was the first mayor to help get the community center back. The City of Muncie complained that the dissenting vote came from Muncie City Councilman William McIntosh, who also serves on the committee.

The $500k was originally dedicated to the center in February, when Muncie City Council approved appropriations in EDIT funds that included a line item titled “Community Center (TBD).” The location on Mock Ave was originally exchanged with the Muncie Mission for the now defunct Crisis Center.

Daisy Dale is the editor and publisher of The Muncie Post-Democrat, a commissioner for the Muncie Human Rights Commission, and a board member of Muncie Queer Alliance.