9/21/2005
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller [317] 327-6709 |
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MDC approves plan for former Herron buildings; Mayor to donate sales proceeds to Housing Trust Fund
Indianapolis – The Metropolitan Development Commission today approved a revitalization plan for the former Herron School of Art buildings, clearing the way for a mixed-use development that will infuse nearly $10 million in private investment in the Near-Northside and serve as a catalyst for further economic and cultural development Downtown.
After an extensive community input process, the City of Indianapolis announced Friday that it had selected a team led by Mansur Real Estate Services, Inc. to redevelop three sites of the former Herron School into a museum of contemporary art, a new charter high school, artists lofts and single family housing.
Today, Mayor Bart Peterson announced that the city will donate the proceeds from the sale of the Herron site -- about $300,000 -- to the Housing Trust Fund to support the city's commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities across Indianapolis.
"This is truly and exciting day for the Herron-Morton neighborhood and communities throughout the city," said Peterson. "The revitalization of the former Herron site will be a tremendous win for the Near-Northside, creating investment and expanding opportunities for arts, culture and education in our vibrant Downtown.
"With the sales proceeds going to the Housing Trust Fund, this development effort will have an even greater impact on the community at-large."
According to the approved plans, the Herron Museum building on the 1600 block of Pennsylvania St. will be rehabilitated and leased by the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art. A proposed new charter school, Herron High School, will lease the basement of the museum, as well as the entire main building located just to the north.
The plan also calls for 14 new residential units built by Minkis Homes, including six artists lofts in Fesler Hall on the north side of the campus, six new townhomes along the 1700 block of Pennsylvania, and two single family homes on Talbott St.
The redevelopment of Herron will begin next Spring and should be complete by mid-2007.
The mixed-use plan for the Herron property is the culmination of an extensive planning and public outreach process that began August 2004. A reuse committee consisting of community stakeholders and city officials was established to make recommendations regarding the best possible reuse for the Herron properties, and several public workshops were held to gather community input. Using this feedback, the city sent out a request for proposals this Summer that outlined possible reuses.
Three proposals for the Herron properties were submitted to the city, one of which included plans only for the foundry site on 16th and Alabama. All of the proposed plans were presented for public comment,
which was then used in the final decision of the plan's selection. The city will reach a decision on redevelopment plans for the foundry building in the coming weeks.
The city took ownership of the Herron property this summer after the Herron School of Art moved into its new facility Downtown on the campus of Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.
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