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City Gallery
at the Harrison Center for the Arts |
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1505 N Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
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Contact us to learn more about housing options,
schedule a visit, or attend an upcoming event. |
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Blog
| April 19, 2012 |
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City Gallery links residents to urban neighborhoods |
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This piece is reprinted from the February 23, 2012 edition of the Indianapolis Recorder
Jessica Williams-Gibson
As you pass by the Harrison Center for the Arts on 16th and Delaware, initially you may be confused. What was once the historic First Presbyterian Church now houses various art programs, local artists and art galleries.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the Harrison Center in that space makes perfect sense as the center strives to foster awareness and appreciation for arts and local culture.
Once inside the building, one may experience similar feelings towards City Gallery. Anchored by a large plush sofa flanked by small tables, a large window facing Delaware Street and paintings on the walls, upon first look City Gallery is your typical art gallery.
Looking closer, it is actually the newest program of the Harrison Center that uses arts and culture to tell the story of Indy’s urban neighborhoods.
These stories include the location where Sen. Robert Kennedy delivered the news of Dr. Martin
Luther King’s death in what’s now called King Park area or that Herron Morton Place was once
the location of the Indiana State Fairgrounds during the Civil War among other countless
stories. “We want people of Indianapolis to know the name of their neighborhood and where they’re
from and have pride. We want to create a movement that celebrates culture, community and
place,” said Joanna Taft, executive director of the Harrison Center.
The gallery partially accomplishes its goal through artwork depicting the flavor and uniqueness
of Indianapolis’ urban neighborhoods such as Fletcher Place, Ransom Place and New Augusta.
Most importantly, City Gallery acts as a resource center, connecting community developers, real
estate firms, homeownership advisors and current homeowners to people who want information
on urban neighborhoods or are looking for housing opportunities.
Taft and her staff are currently informing potential urban homeowners and renters of the
Neighborhood Stabilization Program. This federal program provides eligible homebuyers with
subsidies on new and rehabbed homes in neighborhoods such as Mapleton-Fall Creek, the
Near Eastside and Old Northside. “There’s a time limit on this program. It expires in the spring of 2013,” said Taft.
Lorraine Phillips Vavul, chair of the Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis says that
although Indianapolis has more than 25 historic neighborhoods in its urban core, many of these
area’s homes are old and require some work.
Some of these neighborhoods have already been redeveloped, such as Lockerbie Square and
others are currently being developed such as the neighborhood near the Children’s Museum of
Indianapolis. Select community development corporations are working to refurbish homes or
offer grants to help fix properties.
Vavul understands that many of these urban neighborhoods also have issues such as
abandoned homes and crime, but argues urban areas shouldn’t be singled out – all areas of
Indianapolis face similar problems. She also hopes an influx of new residents will help elevate
urban neighborhoods and improve its historic, aesthetic and social value. “It’s really important to keep residents in Marion County so that we can have a good tax base
and a good public school system and public safety system,” added Taft who’s lived near 20th
and New Jersey for over 20 years.
Neither Vavul nor Taft suggest that suburban flight or suburban conveniences is wrong. They
do, however, believe the pros outweigh the cons - close-knit areas that have a greater sense of
community, fellowship and camaraderie and the same amenities as the suburbs. “We all know each other. We have dinners at each other’s homes – it’s very warm and a great
community. We’ve even formed a small neighborhood association,” said Bernice Corley a
resident of the up and coming Fountain Square area.
She and her family moved to that area because of its affordability, close proximity to her job and
diversity. She hopes others realize the value of city life and describes it as a great experience.
Maurice Broaddus and his family are considering moving from Eagle Creek to Fountain Square.
As an author, he loves the eclectic and artistic feel of Fountain Square and wants his sons,
Reese and Malcolm, to grow up in an intimate neighborhood. “I’ve actually plotted several novels here. I drive (to Fountain Square) to write all the time,” said
Broaddus as he greets locals entering the Calvin Fletcher coffee shop located on Virginia
Avenue. “My wife reminds me of the security we have living in Eagle Creek, but she has friends
here too, so she’s coming around.”
While Blacks such as Corley and Broaddus have embraced urban living, many community
developers know that they have a huge task in front of them – changing the negative perception
of historic urban areas such as Haughville. “If you really want to see what a neighborhood is all about, hang out at a local coffee shop or
restaurant. They know the regulars and can tell you what the neighborhood is all about,” said Broaddus.
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| April 11, 2012 |
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Tips for New Urbanites |
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So you’re looking to move downtown? Sounds like a plan, Stan. You couldn’t pick a better downtown to move to, (a recent list from Livability seems to agree) and there are several steps that you can take to enrich your experience. If this is your first time living in an urban setting, please consider the following tips toward fully engaging in your new community. We’re just giving you four . . . can’t be too hard, right?
1) Know your neighborhood
It’s easy to think of downtown Indianapolis as just one big “place”. After all, you can walk and bike most of downtown in a reasonable amount of time, so there must not be too much that’s different, right? Sure, but do you want your over-generalizations to be the start of another turf war between Fountain Square and Herron-Morton Place?* Indianapolis’ downtown neighborhoods have their own unique personalities, even when separated by just a few blocks. And the businesses, organizations, and clubs that make up the economic landscape of your new neighborhood can make the location of your home feel more like your community. Look into the history, makeup, and residency of your neighborhood to get a better feel for how it functions. Additionally, know who your elected representatives are. There will be times when important decisions will need to be made about your little corner of town, and it’s helpful to know who is making those decisions.
2) Introduce your friends to the area
There’s a lot to be said for being a good host(ess). Your mother has probably given you plenty of reasons to do so. Sometimes, though, especially when you live alone, it can be awkward to invite people over to your home or apartment. “I don’t have enough furniture,” you’ll say. Or, “My place isn’t very big.” OK, have it your way, dude(tte). You don’t even have to bring them to your house, but having dinner with friends at a restaurant in your neighborhood or bringing them to a local shop is another option that introduces them to your community and broadens their view. The point isn’t for your pals to come and rate your homemaking skills, but to introduce them to an area they may not be familiar with. Hopefully, after visiting with you, they’ll come back on their own and bring more people with them. Good hospitality can have a ripple effect, and the more waves you send out, the more goodwill comes back in. Be an ambassador!
3) Meet your new neighbors
This is the Midwest, so maybe your new neighbors will be bringing you Jell-O molds. (Or the hipster equivalent of Jell-O molds. Out-of-print LPs? Post-ironic newspaper advertisements from 1956?) But if they don’t, take the initiative and go to them. Find out what they’re involved in, where they work, and their social security numbers. (HAHA JK YOU GUYS) More involvement with your nearby neighbors will not only strengthen your community, it will make your new neighborhood feel more like home. Moreover, take the time to connect your new neighbors to others you know in the area. We’ve already determined that you might not like to have guests over, but you can help organize volunteer days or community groups that will make that network of neighbors tighter. A close community is a strong community, and a strong community is a safe community.
4) Get involved
It’s easy to spend some money at a local cafe or store and think, “I’m helping my community!” You are, no doubt about it, and that pat on the back is earned. Still, how you spend your time is just as important as how you spend your money. The strength of a neighborhood is dependent on the involvement of its residents, and there are dozens of ways to involve yourself with the organizations and committees that need your support. You don’t have to give a ton of your time - there are plenty of organizations that just need volunteers once a month or for one-off events. What is important is to make yourself aware of the opportunities for involvement in your neighborhood and, in turn, make them aware of you. Take the time to show up at town council meetings or forums. Speaking up to the folks who make your decisions is important, too.
There’s plenty more that you can do to knit yourself in, but these are just a start. If you have more ideas, or you’d like to share some tips with new and fellow residents, feel free to drop us a line at citygallery@harrisoncenter.org to let us know. We’re always looking for ways to help people find their place in urban Indy!
*I jest. Those two neighborhoods have never had a turf war, unless you count the 1876 “topcoat feud” when Silas P. Abernathy accused Hiram Oberlund’s garden of “lacking the care of a well-rounded overseer.” The lamplighters were burning the midnight oil after that one, I tell you.
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| April 6, 2012 |
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A Prayer for Peace |
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It was a routine campaign stop in Indianapolis. Robert Kennedy had spent the earlier part of the day in South Bend and Muncie, IN, speaking to the bread and butter of his constituency- college students. While at Ball State University, an African-American student posed the question to Kennedy- “Your speech implies that you are placing a great deal of faith in white America. Is that faith justified?” Kennedy responded that he did indeed believe that faith in white America was justified, just as faith in black America was justified because any faith in America is worth placing. As he was boarding a plane to leave, the news came down- Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot in Memphis. Kennedy was devastated; he had just promised this young man that there was potential and promise in the American public, and now “His spiritual leader has been shot”. Kennedy held his head in his hands for the remainder of the flight. “When is the violence going to end?” he asked.
Upon arriving in Indianapolis, he found himself speaking to a crowd just off of College Ave. and 16th Street. Moments earlier, one of his staff had confirmed it- Martin Luther King, Jr. had died of his wounds. Kennedy asked a staffer a question:
“Do they know about Martin Luther King?”
What followed was a brief, yet powerful speech on the importance of forgiveness in the face of injustice. Speaking for the first time about his deceased brother, Robert Kennedy reminded the crowd of their ability to look beyond the obvious issues and complications in the American social landscape of 1968 “make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand, and to comprehend, and replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, with an effort to understand, compassion, and love.” His final exhortation included a quotation from Aeschylus:
“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
until, in our own despair,
against our will,
comes wisdom
through the awful grace of God.”
That night, rioting broke out in every major American city, from Baltimore to Los Angeles- every major city except Indianapolis. This was unexpected to many, including the sheriff's deputy who advised Kennedy not to make the speech. However, Indianapolis residents don’t have much history of rioting outside of the streetcar strike of 1913. Whether it was the effect of the speech, or their genuinely peaceful nature, Circle Citizens responded with grief and resolve, but not violence. There was nationwide attention given to the stop in Indianapolis, and many analysts believed that this would be the defining moment of Kennedy’s campaign - it would unfortunately become one of the defining moments of his life. 2 months later, Kennedy was gunned down in Los Angeles. When the Robert Kennedy memorial was built at Arlington National Cemetery, the text of the speech was inscribed on a low granite wall around a reflecting pool.
Indianapolis had made several efforts to memorialize the man and the moment, but there were several false starts over the years. Finally, a partnership between donors, the city, and the Indianapolis Pacers brought forth the Landmark for Peace Memorial project in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on College Ave. Ground for the memorial was broken in May of 1994 in an event attended by President Clinton and Sen. Ted Kennedy, (The weekend would come to be known as “The President, The Pacers, and the Indy 500” by local media outlets,) and the sculpture designed by Indianapolis artist Greg Perry was finally erected in 1996.
The memorial stands as the centerpiece to the King Park area, a collection of neighborhoods on the city’s near-north side. Bounded by MLK Park, the Monon, Meridian St., and Fall Creek, King Park has seen a rapid growth in residential and business development. Goose the Market, Footlite Musicals, the Gramse apartment building, and the Old Centrum have all drawn considerable local attention in the past few years, and more is coming soon, as the area serves as a lynchpin for many local development efforts.
But more than that, the monument and the spirit of the neighborhood it resides in serve as a reminder that peace is not given, it is worked for. The citizens of Indianapolis have known tragedy and heartbreak- the Coliseum explosion, the Tony Kiritsis standoff, the Ramada Inn plane crash, the State Fair stage collapse- but time after time they have shown that they are defined by what they can overcome, not what they allow to happen. Inspiration may have come from Kennedy and King, but it was the efforts of the people themselves to heed those words that made the peace so significant:
“...let's dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.”
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| April 2, 2012 |
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A New Start in Mapleton-Fall Creek |
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In 1989, Karen May was living in a downtown neighborhood with her husband and 3 year-old son. Concerned about the educational opportunities at the time, she decided to move her family to Speedway in hopes that her son would benefit from the Speedway school system. It was an important decision for her at the time. IPS didn't seem like the best opportunity for her family. After her husband passed away, with her son grown and in the Army, Karen found herself wanting to start again in a downtown neighborhood. "I just found myself missing everything," she said. "This is where I found myself spending most of my time, and I thought I should look into plugging back in." She had a friend in real estate who alerted her to a home at 33rd & Meridian for a price she couldn't believe. "When I got there, though, the place was in shambles." Crestfallen, Karen began to head home, when she noticed a home at 29th and Broadway. After checking the price, it seemed too good to be true. "It was the INHP price, and it looked way too low, but when I called them about it, they told me about how I could get that price, and put me in touch with the Mapleton-Fall Creek Community Development Corporation (MFCDC)."
The Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership is a homebuyer assistance program that enables people to realize their dreams of downtown living. Programs for potential homebuyers include credit counseling, loan guidance and homebuyer classes. For Karen, participation in their programs consisted of a one-time Saturday homeowner class. From 8-5, she heard information from bank and insurance reps, realtors, and others about the home ownership process. "Had I known what I know now, I would have started the process even earlier. But as it was, the closing process took barely a month." While she's thrilled to move into Mapleton-Fall Creek, Karen was impressed with the change in other downtown neighborhoods, too. "I didn't realize that there were so many pocket neighborhoods doing the same thing. I learned that there are 9 active CDCs (community development corporations) where people can get the same assistance I did."
Karen has looked forward to many things since she made the decision to move back downtown, but one of them is a little unusual: "We're opening two community gardens in the coming months," Karen says, "And I can't tell you how excited I am about that." For Karen, it's more about the sense of community than the gardening work itself. "It's the kind of activity that brings people together, helps us build a better community. It's a good thing for residents to know each other by face and name."
Best of all, Karen has been able to make this move and lower her living costs. "In my rental house, I was paying $900 a month. But with the assistance of MFCDC and INHP, I've been able to cut those costs nearly in half! The best part is, I'm paying my mortgage and not the mortgage for someone else." . |
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| March 30, 2012 |
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Schoolhouse(s) Rock |
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It doesn't take a realtor to know that the best way to build a community is
education. As the schools in an area improve and prove themselves, homebuyers are more likely to invest with their money and families. For decaides, the debate on the merits of Indianapolis' public education has raged in Marion County and outside of the 465 loop. For most of Indianapolis' core neighborhoods, the options waned as schools were closed and consolidated in response to the suburban flight of the 60s and 70s. Yet now, many neighborhoods are experiencing new life thanks, in part, to the magnet and charter school initiatives of the past 10 years. There are other neighborhoods, nowever, that are having an interesting but related debate - what to do with old school buildings that are sitting empty.
Some have found a very easy transition - turn the old buildings into new educational facilities. For Herron-Morton Place and Mapleton-Fall Creek, the benefits are easy to see. Two historic campuses were reused as a charter and magnet school, respectively. The old Herron Art School campus moved from 16th and Meridian with the opening of their new building on IUPUI's campus. With the assistance of the Harrison Center for the Arts, the new Herron High School was established in 2001 and has become one of the top high schools in the nation, according to Newsweek. Building on the campus' history as an art school, Herron High School' curriculum follows an art history timeline, as opposed to military or political periods. Shortridge High School, which produced Kurt Vonnegut, has been reborn as a magnet campus for Indianapolis Public Schools. The public policy-focused school now serves students in grades 6-12. In addition to preserving the glorious facade and interior of the campus, the school has revived the debate and journalism programs - two benchmark programs of the school's past.
For other schools, the solutions had to be a little more creative. The neighborhood of Englewood, on the City's near-eastside, has transformed the historic IPS School #3 into a vibrant new apartment complex and part of The Commonwealth, which also features community space, a gymnasium and rooftop sports area. The rooms have been turned into studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for single families. At Horizon Central Fellowship in Fountain Square, the old School #18 has been converted into a church and youth center. The gymnasium and larger facilities has enabled HCF to develop after school programming such as tutoring and a martial arts program. At both of these facilities, the "schoolhouse aesthetic" was intentionally preserved. The nostalgia and craftsmanship of the bygone era serves as a portal for the next generation of use and revitalization.
At the end of the day, the decisions that are made about these former learning centers and community gathering places, whether it is to convert them to educational, residential or business spaces, or een to demolish, will set a standard for how neighborhoods deal with their historic buildings in the future.
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| March 26, 2012 |
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The Fringe
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"I've gotta tell you, Timmy - you've always lived on the fringe . . . and I like that." My friend looked out the window of my 22nd Street apartment as the Sunday morning light started to creep across MLK Park and the old church across the street. He had suffered a particularly rough night; the kind that comes when a young man comes to a somewhat familiar town on business and resolves to have a good time or meet a nice girl. "It seems like you pick these places that are two years away from being yuppie central and leave before they jack up the rent. Not a bad idea."
I'm not sure why he decided to single out that factor. I'd graduated from college in 2006, and moved back home to Indianapolis to pursue a career in museums. My first apartment had been on the lower edge of the Old Northside neighborhood, and while I had moved a couple of times since then, I continued to enjoy the neighborhoods in that area. I liked the people, their dedication to their community, and the smell of the trees in the fall. That's not flowery gobbledegook, by the way . . . in the fall the thick crop of trees produce so much foliage that leaves along the streets often start to decay before they're taken care of. It's a slightly musty smell, and I love it. I also like the smell of old barns, but that's neither here nor there. This side of town has a personality, and yes, the homes are certainly being taken care of and improved to a great degree. Still, there's enough original flavor and history that shines through the restored houses and kept streets to give you the understanding that this is not a place that's shiny and new. Our neighborhoods are places with a past, and their heritage is something worth carrying.
My buddy is not alien to that. He grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, the son of a cop who owned five small buildings. He's seen the rush back to the urban centers by members of our generation, be it for business purposes or a desire to rekindle a history we didn't get to experience. The generalized call for gentrification seems to be popular in most American cities, and there's a reason for that. But in Indianapolis, I've noticed something different at "the fringe" that seems to be unique to us.
Our neighborhoods have been the bedrock of our community for decades, and the generation of Circle Citizens that's now making its way in society seems to understand that. Instead of a raze and rebuild mentality, there seems to be a sincere desire to restore and renew. Fountain Square, Irvington, Lockerbie, and King Park are all examples of communities that are revisiting tradition, restoring history, and fostering growth from within. The Irvington Halloween festival is still a priority to its residents. The Fountain Square Theater is still a gathering place for that community. MLK Park is being held to the standard of the two men for whom the area is known. This is a special thing for me as a native Hoosier. Look at pictures of our city from 20 years ago, and it seems like a different place. The Hudnut era led to a new downtown that has been changing ever since, but we continue to hold to our roots that define us, our neighborhoods, even if it isn't the part of our city that visitors often see.
My pal went home later that morning with a pounding headache and a pair of sunglasses, and I poured myself a large bowl of cereal that my mother forbade in my childhood. A little later, I walked a few blocks down the street to a large outdoor sculpture depicting two men: one who would have been president, and another who might have been our greatest leader. They are depicted reaching out of dark slabs to cross a divide between them in the pavement below. Neither is connected, not yet, but they're reaching in defiance of elements that separate. That's how we live out here on the fringe. And yeah, I like it too.
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| March 22, 2012 |
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INfectious |
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When Julie Tornquist first came to Indianapolis with her husband five years ago, they were not familiar with the area at all. They understood that the city was a diverse and vibrant place, but an early meeting with a realtor opened her eyes to some local perceptions. "He saw that we were white and executive, and so he just assumed that the Northside was where we wanted to go." That made a lasting impression with her, and has led to a new career as a downtown realtor. "It's an exciting time to be looking into urban living. There are so many choices that people realize as soon as they start the process of looking."
In her short time as a realtor, Julie has learned that, while Indianapolis has been growing leaps and bounds, many of the old preconceptions about the core neighborhoods of the city still linger. "I'm surprised by how many people have stayed on the periphery for such a long time, without ever looking in. For years, there has been a perception that Indianapolis' downtown neighborhoods are the wild west, and that's not what people find when they come down here themselves."
For younger people, Julie has noticed that "the experience" is one of the biggest draws. "I had one couple that was interested in urban living, but wanted to take the city for a 'test drive' - they weren't sure where to go yet. For them, the amenities that they found were the biggest draws - Tea's Me, Goose the Market, those kinds of places can make an area fit. They are loving their new home." While the younger crowd is drawn to amenities and a 'feel', families who move to Indianapolis have a key priority - education. "I can't tell you how much our charter school program has meant to so many people looking at our city." Julie knows this first-hand, as it was a challenge that her family faced five years ago. "We weren't sure what the options would be for our children, who had been homeschooled since Kindergarten. Fortunately, we had the new presence of Herron High School - which was a big draw for us." The presence of Indianapolis' charter schools is a selling point for many families, Julie says. "People need to see that with education comes improvement." She spoke of the emergence of The Oaks Academy in Fall Creek Place as an example of what schools can do for a neighborhood. "When it opened, there were people calling that area "Dodge City", and now look at the advances that have been made."
When asked about best advice for those looking into Indianapolis as a home, Julie's response is simple. "Find someone who's plugged in. There's nothing that makes me happier than sharing Indianapolis with someone, and seeing them get excited as well. There are so many people who are ready to be ambassadors for our city . . . you're bound to find something that's perfect for you. It's not just exciting, it's infectious."
Anyone interested in looking for real estate through Julie can contact her at 317.854.5314.
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| February 15, 2012 |
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The Dream of Fountain Square |
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When he was ten years old, Maurice's family moved to a neighborhood on the west side of town around 40th and High School Road. For thirty plus (though he tries not to think about how many pluses there might be to that number), he has lived no more than two miles from that original west side landing spot. But he has always harbored a quiet dream: he's wanted to live in an arts district.
Maurice is a professional writer. He's had novels and short stories and articles published in a variety of places. He is actively involved in the arts community from Second Story to Big Car to the Heartland Film Festival. He and his family make First Fridays a regular family event, an artistic adventure time, which could take them anywhere from Broad Ripple to the Harrison Center for the Arts, to Mass Ave to Fountain Square. And though they love the arts wherever they can find them, lately Maurice and his family have had their eye on one district in particular: Fountain Square.
It began a few years ago when he and his family were searching for a new church home. When they had found a church they liked, The Crossing, they quickly realized that a lot of the members already lived in the same area of Fountain Square on Pleasant Street (a name he thought all too perfect for them). He thought about how much of a struggle it had been getting to know his neighbors in the suburbs and the thought of moving to a neighborhood where everyone already knew each other appealed to him.
However, diversity was an issue. Maurice is married interracially, and being a self-described black geek, the thought of moving to Indianapolis' south side gave him pause. But driving through Fountain Square, which he finds himself doing more and more lately, he noticed Virgil's Fountain Square Barbershop . . . right across the street from the Hero House Comic Book store. And he wondered if someone wasn't trying to tell him something.
Part of his regular routine is stopping in for coffee at the Calvin Fletcher Coffee Shop, a place he considers one of Indianapolis' little known jewels. It's another place in the Fountain Square area where a person can walk in and feel known, as its owners, Doug and Jeff Litsey, make a point of learning their customers' names. Maurice makes excuses to take any meetings or appointments there and if lunch is required, it's a simple walk next door to South of Chicago Pizza or down a block to Tortas.
So Maurice keeps an eye on his bank balance preparing to make his move. Despite very much being a part of the First Friday trail, Fountain Square feels like undiscovered art country. And he hopes it stays undiscovered long enough for he and his family to get moved down there. He has an eye on a house on Pleasant Street . . . |
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| December 12, 2011 |
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Historic King Park apartment great fit for young professional |
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After three and a half years of living in a 460 square-foot studio apartment in downtown Indianapolis, Lauralee Stel was ready for a larger living space and a bedroom door. An additional change in employment meant that continuing to live downtown would shorten her commute and keep her near friends. She says, "I love being downtown in the middle of the excitement and energy that city living brings." And, she adds, "I like to see skyscrapers every day."
Lauralee regularly volunteers at the Harrison Center for the Arts and was interested to learn more about its new venture, the City Gallery, when it began. She considered the possibility of home ownership and the City Gallery connected her to INHP (Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership) where she took the first time homeowner training classes they offer. The City Gallery also supplied her with information on community development corporations including St. Clair Place, Southeast Neighborhood Development Corporation and King Park.
At a First Friday event in 2011, City Gallery staff introduced Lauralee to a woman who had recently moved into The Gramse, a newly renovated 1915 apartment building located in King Park, just north of downtown. The neighborhood boasts of tree-lined streets, Martin Luther King Memorial Park, Goose the Market City Yoga, Salon Orange Moon and Transformation Fitness. She says, "I didn't know what I was looking for until I toured The Gramse. They have modern amenities including a dishwasher and washer/dryer unit in each apartment, plus it's within walking distance of friends and I have a beautiful sunroom off of my new bedroom!"
Since moving in and making friends with her new neighbors, Lauralee's newest neighbor is an old friend, Timothy Lofton. "I heard that he was looking for a place, so I told him about City Gallery and The Gramse." Lauralee is one of the City Gallery's "mavens", a neighbor happy to answer questions about Indianapolis urban living and helpful in connecting others to community. |
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| December 1, 2011 |
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First time homebuyers settle in St. Clair Place |
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When jobs brought southern Indiana natives Joel and Kathryn Dart to Indianapolis, they knew they wanted to be in the center of things. Having both grown up in small towns, they were eager to experience all that living in a big city has to offer.
Friend and fellow DePauw grad, Mark Abdon and his wife Laura, had begun to consider the City's near eastside and soon both couples were looking for thier first homes in St. Clair Place. They attended informational housing receptions at the City Gallery and were excited to learn about the history of the neighborhood, the investment in the area resulting from the Legacy Project, the urban gardens and commitment of the residents to the neighborhood. They were also drawn to the convenience of living near the Monon Trail and the Cultural Trail. From the City Gallery, they learned about incentives for homebuyers and connected with INHP (Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership) for first time homeownership training classes.
They fell in love with a house on Jefferson Avenue, near the friends who first told them about the neighborhood. Since closing on the house in July, 2011, the Darts have enjoyed meeting neighbors while walking their dog, hanging out on their front porch, walks to Massachusetts Avenue for dinner or frozen yogurt, food trucks and the convenience of living so close to the many cultural amenities Indianapolis has to offer. They are enjoying being a part of the revitalization of this historic neighborhood and looking forward to raising their family here. |
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| November 10, 2011 |
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Couple finds community and convenience in Fall Creek Place |
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At first glance, urban living might not have been an obvious choice for Ryan and Kate Brumbaugh. Both worked on the west side of Indianapolis and resided, conveniently, in a condo in the city's Eagle Creek area. But the then-newlyweds soon realized that they were spending a good deal of their time downtown, whether for church activities, visiting friends, or enjoying the many cultural amenities and dining options downtown has to offer. In 2011, they began attending City Gallery receptions that were being held before the Harrison Center's popular First Friday art openings. There, they met with CDC representatives, realtors, and residents who were excited to share with them about all their neighborhoods had to offer. Kate shares that it was difficult to choose a neighborhood with so many options, and each with their own unique appeal.
Eventually, they settled on the King Park Area neighborhood of Fall Creek Place. They purchased a beautiful 111 year old home that is within walking distance to some of their favorite places: Monon Coffee Company, City Yoga, Tea's Me, Goose the Market, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and more. In Fall Creek Place, they have found an active group of people who are committed to their community, regularly organizing block parties and neighborhood clean up days. An invitation to join a weekly neighborhood supper club connected the Brumbaughs quickly to ten other families and helped them to feel truly at home.
As a young couple starting a family, they appreciate the variety of choices available for schooling, from charter, to private, to public. They also enjoy how urban living helps them to maintain a "green" lifestyle, driving as little as possible. Avid cyclists, they are excited about the Monon and the Cultural Trail which allow them to bike to all of their favorite places - farmer's markets, libraries, restaurants and more. Kate adds,
"We also love the diversity of living downtown; there is a range of ethnicities among our immediate neighbors, which is very different than the homogeneous condo community we lived in before. We love the idea of 'front-porch living', where neighbors greet each other as they pass by on the sidewalk and there is a true sense of community and care." |
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