Irvington Neighborhood Plan
November 5, 2008
Prepared by the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, Division of Planning Acknowledgments
The preparation of this plan was completed cooperatively through the efforts of the Historic Irvington Community Council, the City of Indianapolis, Dawn Briggs (Community Builder), Ball State University, the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center, and the Irvington Development Organization.
Special recognition is extended to the neighborhood organizations, neighborhood residents, and neighborhood businesses that are contributing to the improvement of the neighborhood and were the necessary components to assemble the Irvington Neighborhood Plan. Irvington Neighborhood Plan
City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development Division of Planning
Adopted Metropolitan Development Commission November 5, 2008 (08-CPS-R-011)
Table of Contents Introduction 1 Code Enforcement 13 Neighborhood Planning 1 Housing - Neglected and Blighted Areas 13 First Steps in the Irvington Neighborhood Plan Public Safety 13 Process 1 Roadways and Sidewalks 14 Study Area 2 Transit 14 Community Building/Data Gathering 2 Traffic 14 I Town Hall Meeting 3 Merchants 14 rvington Committee Structure/Steering Committee 3 Parking 14 Economic Development Committee 3 Commercial Realtors 14 Parks and Open Space Committee 3 Hispanic Business Community 14 Arts, Culture, Education and Diversity Arts and Culture 14 Committee 3 History 15 Public Safety and Code Enforcement Neighborhood Grocery 15 Committee 4 New Development 15 Historic Irvington Committee 4 Restaurants 15 Web Site and Neighborhood Survey 4 Retail 15 Speaker Series 4 Marketing 16 Local Historic Area Planning Process 4 Message Management 16 Future Planning Activities 5 Gateways 16 Community Ranking Survey 5 Historic District Status (Local) 18 Community Priorities and Implementation Historic Sites and Structures (State) 18 Strategy 5 Historic Sites and Structures (Federal) 18 Community Visioning Workshop 5 Irving Theater 18 Development of the Land Use and Zoning Plan 5 Irvington Plaza 18 Recent Plans 6 National Retailers 18 Marion County Plans that Impact Irvington 6 Pennsy Trail 18 Economic Development Setting 9 School 57 19 Economic Development Committee 10 Small Business 19 Future Economic Visions 12 Streetscape 19 Economic Development Vision 12 Washington Street 20 Conditions Vision 12 Zoning 20 General Business Vision 12 Economic Development Projects and New Business Development Vision 12 Programs 20 Promotions Vision 12 Business 21 Absentee Landlords 13 Government Regulation 22 Table of Contents, cont. Housing 22 Diversity 38 Marketing 23 Education 39 Transportation and Public Works 23 Physical Environment 39 Street Landscaping and Structures 23 Public Safety and Code Enforcement Parks and Open Space Setting 24 Committee 40 Irvington Parks and Open Space Committee 24 Committee Vision Statement 40 Parks and Open Space Vision 24 Overall Statements from Meetings 40 The Overall Neighborhood 24 Code Enforcement 41 Ellenberger Park 26 Community Collaboration 41 Hilton Brown Corner 27 Crime Prevention 41 Irving Circle 29 Housing 42 Kile Oak 29 Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety 44 Kin Hubbard Memorial 29 Parking 45 Laura’s Community Garden 29 Aggressive Animals 45 Parkways 29 Public Safety and Code Enforcement Pleasant Run 29 Projects and Programs 45 Pleasant Run Golf Course 30 Code Enforcement 45 The Pocket Park 30 Crime Prevention 46 Trails 30 Public Safety 46 Possible New Parks 30 Historic Irvington Setting 47 Parks and Open Space Projects and Historic Irvington Committee 49 Programs 30 Discussion Points 49 Ellenberger 30 Summary of Discussion 53 Other Parks 31 Historic Irvington Projects and Overall 32 Programs 53 Pennsy Trail 32 Remember 54 Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Educate 54 Setting 33 Preserve, Protect, and Sustain 54 Irvington’s People and Schools 35 Promote and Identify 54 Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Implementing Agencies 55 Committee 37 Additional Information 55 Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Community Workshop 56 Projects and Programs 37 Creating Greenway Amenities 56 Arts and Culture 38 Celebrating the Historic Fabric 57 Table of Contents, cont. Public Art Creates Functional Identity 57 Land Use and Zoning 66 Quality Public Places 58 Land Use 67 Gateways that Belong 58 Land Use Definitions 69 Transforming Irvington Plaza 59 Building Conditions Survey 72 Community Priorities - Implementation Land Use Plan 74 Strategy 60 Land Use Recommendations 74 Irvington 1. Support the Washington Street Corridor Zoning Descriptions 76 Project as a Catalyst for Economic Zoning Plan 78 Revitalization of the Corridor and Credits 80 Throughout Irvington 60 Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity 2. Work to Prepare the Irvington Committee 80 Historic District Plan and Preserve Economic Development Committee 80 Irvington’s Past 61 Historic Irvington Committee 81 3. Create Better Building and Property Parks and Open Space Committee 81 Conditions Throughout the Public Safety and Code Enforcement Neighborhood 62 Committee 81 4. Continue to Protect and Improve Irvington’s Parks and Open Spaces 62 Maps 5. Continue to Repair and Improve 1. Vicinity Map VI Irvington’s Infrastructure 63 2. Household Income Density 17 6. Enhance Public Safety and Improve 3. Recreation and Open Space Potentials 28 the Perception of Safety Throughout 4. Active Crimewatch Blocks 42 Irvington 63 5. National Register of Historic Places 50 7. Improve Irvington Plaza to Better 6. Additional Important Historic Serve and Fit the Neighborhood 64 Structures (1993) 51 8. Seek Development of the Pennsy 7. Existing Land Use 71 Corridor as a Trail and Future 8. Building Conditions 73 Transit Way 64 9. Land Use Plan 75 9. Market Irvington to Indianapolis and 10. Existing Zoning 77 Beyond as a Good Place to Live, Work, 11. Zoning Plan 79 and Shop 65 10. Re-Establish Irvington as an Artist Community with Diverse Art and Cultural Offerings 65 865 465 31 86TH ST 69 MICHIGAN 82ND ST
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STOP 11 MERIDIAN RD RD AVE 135 Introduction also helping inform residents about public actions under consideration in their areas and how and where to affect Neighborhood Planning those decisions. Neighborhood planning is undertaken to encourage a First Steps in the Irvington particular area’s maintenance and enhancement. Major Neighborhood Plan Process changes in land use (e.g., residential to commercial), proposed large scale new development, the need for Representatives of the Irvington community contacted public improvements, significant social and economic Ball State University, College of Architecture and Irvington changes of the population, and/or the need for revitali Planning: Indianapolis Center (BSU CAP:IC) in the zation can create the necessity for a plan. fall of 2002 seeking assistance in the preparation of a new neighborhood plan. At the time, BSU CAP:IC Planning helps develop guidelines for the coordination was participating with the Division of Planning, the of resources and defines neighborhood revitalization and Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC), development goals. Through planning, a guide for the and others in a process to develop a new method of growth of the neighborhood can result in a partnership preparing plans for neighborhoods in Indianapolis. between the community and key stakeholders in accomplishing the recommendations set forth in the The new concept for preparing neighborhood plans plan. includes the following features: Once a plan is officially adopted by the Marion County • A community building phase before the planning Metropolitan Development Commission (the MDC begins to build community knowledge and support has responsibility for setting policies for the physical of the planning process, which includes at least one development of Indianapolis-Marion County), it can neighborhood-wide notice of the planning process. serve as the guide for implementing public improvement • A flexible process that better responds to the desires projects, fostering private investments, and promoting of a variety of different neighborhood situations. neighborhood self-help programs. • A storefront planning office, where the community Neighborhood planning can be an indicator of area activity. It draws attention to the fact that residents and governmental agencies are concerned with the future of the area and sets the stage for continuing cooperation. The City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development/Division of Planning has a staff of planners assigned to work with the city’s neighborhood Photo - organizations, their residents, and area institutions and Community businesses in the preparation of neighborhood plans. Builder Dawn Briggs opens Planners help bring to the city administration the the February 21, concerns and perspectives of the neighborhoods while 2004 Town Hall Meeting
Introduction - can meet with planners and become involved in the Study Area process. The study area’s boundaries are 10th Street, Kitley • A planning process facilitated by a diverse team, Avenue/Bonna Avenue/Edmondson Avenue, Brookville including neighborhood leaders, university faculty Road, and Emerson Avenue (see Map 1). and students, consultants, and agency staff. Community Building/Data Gathering • Opportunities to empower neighborhoods and build Neighborhood planning efforts began in the fall of 2003 neighborhood capacity. I with data gathering and community building phase. A rvington • An annual progress analysis and town hall meeting. resident of the neighborhood was hired as a community • A planning process that includes many resources for builder to work in conjunction with the Indianapolis neighborhood development. Neighborhood Resource Center. Their combined task • The possibility of funds for implementing proposals was to empower Irvington community leaders so that as a part of the plan. they in turn could engage and educate the rest of the Based on a series of discussions between the community, community in the neighborhood planning process. The BSU CAP:IC, and the City of Indianapolis, the Irvington purpose of this community building process was to neighborhood plan was selected as the pilot project for enhance neighborhood ownership and involvement in the new planning process. the plan at the start of the planning process. Figure 1 - Planning Process Time Line
Town Town Hall Hall Meeting Meeting
Community Building/Data Topic Discussion Phase Draft Committee Gathering Phase Topics are discussed in three Reports Contact all plan participants separate meetings. Assemble results of Gather data/Do fieldwork Meeting 1 - Discuss Issues and topic discussions into Assets. draft committee Meeting 2 - Form reports Recommendations.
Meeting 3 - Refine Assemble all planning - Recommendations. Steering Committee monitors work of all committees. elements into final draft Initial Topic Discussions Results of Topic Discussions are Reported Reports Committee Modify Prepare and Distribute Ranking Survey Community Visioning Activity Land Use and Zoning Plans Begin with assistance from the Irvington community Land Use and Zoning Plans Prepare final draft for review by the Irvington community Final Draft
- Introduction In 2004, graduate assistants from the BSU CAP:IC had oversight of all the committees, the responsibility gathered land use and building condition information to resolve any conflicts between committees, and in the neighborhood, while Division of Planning staff brought the work of the committees together in a draft compiled demographic information for the neighborhood. document. The following is a description of the five According to the U.S. Census Bureau on April 1, 2000, committees and a list of topics each discussed. the neighborhood contained 11,716 residents living in Economic Development Committee 5,684 housing units. Seventy percent of the housing Absentee landlords, code enforcement, housing- units were owner occupied, which compares very neglected and blighted areas, public safety, roadways Irvington favorably to the Marion County rate of 59.3%. and sidewalks, transit, traffic, merchants, parking, Housing units in the neighborhood are predominantly commercial realtors, Hispanic business community, single family (82.3% of total). This number is signifi arts and culture, history, neighborhood grocery, new cantly higher than the Marion County percent of single development, restaurants, retail, Irvington branding, family housing units (67.3% of total). The fact that marketing, message management, gateways, historic Irvington has a high percentage of single family housing buildings, historic district status, the Irving Theater, units in part contributes to the better than average Irvington Plaza, national retailers, the Pennsy Trail, building conditions and the overall stability of the School 57, small business, streetscape, Washington neighborhood. Street, and zoning. Town Hall Meeting Parks and Open Space Committee The first public meeting of the Irvington neighborhood Landscaping and open space, Ellenberger Park, Irving planning process was a Town Hall meeting held on Circle, Hilton Brown Corner, the Kile Oak, the Kin Saturday, February 21, 2004 at Irvington United Hubbard Memorial, Laura’s Community Garden, Methodist Church. Its primary purpose was to introduce Ellenberger and Pleasant Run parkways, Pleasant Run community stakeholders to the planning process Golf Course, the pocket parks, Pleasant Run and Pennsy and to garner participation in the planning process. trails, and new parks. Approximately 125 people attended the meeting. Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Committee Structure/Steering Committee Committee Promotion and advertising of community events, During the Town Hall meeting, discussion groups contribution of history to arts and culture, attractive convened in five different topical committees. These ness of environment, rehabilitation of the Irving committees and their subject matter were decided Theater, secondary education, continuing education, upon in Steering Committee meetings as important diversity of culture and age, and perception of high to the Irvington community. The Steering Committee crime.
Introduction - Public Safety and Code Enforcement Two-hundred seventy-four completed the survey. Committee The purpose of the survey was to provide information Code enforcement, cross-cultural inclusion, organization regarding peoples’ attitudes about living and shopping collaboration, crime watch groups, crime prevention in Irvington. Questions were asked about community and reduction, home ownership, housing-neglected and issues, retail and business activity, traffic and blighted areas, homeless prevention, absentee landlords, circulation, and public safety and security. Information traffic, infrastructure, sidewalks, Pennsy Trail, pedes from the survey was presented in committee reports Irvington trian and bicycle safety, universal accessibility, parking, and used as a part of the Irvington neighborhood aggressive animals, and animal population control. planning process, and to assist in the development of recommendations for community improvements. Historic Irvington Committee Speaker Series Historic Irvington images, history, neighborhood traditions, National Register of Historic Places As a part of the planning effort, the community decided nominations, preservation efforts, strengthening to have a speaker series on important topics. There were community identity, and signs and gateways. two Sunday afternoon sessions at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. On May 2, 2004, the topic was the Since the Town Hall meeting, the Steering Committee status of Irvington’s historic district with speakers from met once and the other committees met two or three both the neighborhood and the Indianapolis Historic times to discuss issues and develop recommendations to Preservation Commission. The topic on May 16, 2004 be included in the neighborhood plan. was east side revitalization and economic development Web Site and Neighborhood Survey with speakers from the Department of Metropolitan A web site, http://www.historicirvington.org was Development, the Indianapolis/Marion County City- established for the Irvington neighborhood plan. All County Council, and the Irving Theater Foundation. meeting announcements, notes, and information Local Historic Area Planning Process developed from the committees have been displayed on The Irvington area has for many years been identified this web site. Once the Irvington neighborhood planning by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission process is complete, the web site will be turned over and its staff as an historically, architecturally, and to the neighborhood to continue to be updated and to culturally significant area, particularly the western provide information about progress in the community. portion of the neighborhood on both sides of Washington Another important source of information for the plan Street generally between Emerson and Arlington and was the neighborhood survey conducted in Irvington in Pleasant Run and the railroad. This area is the same as May and June of 2004. Approximately 1,000 copies of the Irvington Historic District (listed on the National the survey were distributed to Irvington organizations, Register of Historic Places in 1987, also see Map 5) through Irvington schools, and at the Library. In except it does not include Ellenberger Park and the addition, the survey was available online at the web site. portion of Pleasant Run.
- Introduction As this plan was being prepared, IHPC did in fact key strategies aimed at providing a quality environment prepare with the neighborhood and adopt with the for Irvington. These strategies are the result of all of Metropolitan Development Commission in 2006, the above activities and the input from over 500 people the Irvington Historic Area Preservation Plan. The involved in them. recommendations of the adopted historic area plan are Utilizing the preceding input, a final draft was incorporated in Map 9 - Land Use Plan and Map 11 - then prepared and submitted to the Metropolitan Zoning Plan. Development Commission for adoption. Once the The historic area plan addresses a full range of Irvington plan is adopted, a new phase of the planning Irvington preservation and development issues. Importantly, process will be undertaken that examines the projects it empowers IHPC with review and approval of any and programs and makes recommendations regarding petitions and/or permits required for all properties and implementing agency, estimated cost, funding source, structures within the local historic area. and expected outcome. This phase will include Future Planning Activities discussions with implementing agencies to determine the details of the projects and programs. The five topical committees completed their series of meetings and each produced a report that documented Community Visioning Workshop the discussions and recommendations with a total of 191 On February 26 of 2005, BSU CAP:IC facilitated a recommended projects and programs being developed. community visioning workshop. Students from the Staff combined these reports into a draft document that college illustrated various design alternatives for three was presented to the neighborhood in a second town of the 10 strategy areas. They were the Washington hall meeting. A community visioning workshop was held Street corridor, the Pennsy Trail, and Irvington Plaza. to assist the neighborhood in visualizing the impact of Development of the Land Use Plan and recommendations on the community. the Zoning Plan Community Ranking Survey As mentioned, for the area of the local historic In the Fall of 2004, 53 community stakeholders ranked area plan, the Land Use Plan and the Zoning Plan the importance of the 191 projects and programs incorporate that plan’s recommendations. The local developed by the five topical committees. The purpose historic area plan’s use recommendations are in the of this exercise was to take the first step in developing form of zoning recommendations, which are then a set of community priorities that was the basis for the replicated in the Zoning Plan and interpreted in the preparation of an implementation strategy. Land Use Plan. Community Priorities and For the balance of the neighborhood, the Land Use Plan Implementation Strategy and the Zoning Plan recommendations were presented Using the results of the community ranking survey, the to the community in a town hall meeting held in top 60 projects and programs were grouped under 10 September of 2005.
Introduction - Recent Plans There are a number of plans covering the entire county Plan participants took documents from a number of that have an impact on the Irvington neighborhood and recent Irvington planning efforts into account as a part were taken into account as the neighborhood plan is of committee discussions. They include: developed. They include: • Irvington Neighborhood Plan, City of Indianapolis, Marion County Plans that Impact Division of Planning, 1986. Irvington • Ellenberger Park 2000 Master Plan Amendment, Indianapolis Greenways Master Plan, City of Irvington Department of Indy Parks and Recreation, Gove Indianapolis, Department of Indy Parks and Associates Inc. with Claire Bennett Associates, 2000. Recreation, 2002 • Irvington Economic Development Action Plan, The greenways plan describes a vision for a regional Ball State University, College of Architecture and network of linear open space that connects neighbor Planning, 2002. hoods and promotes recreation, fitness, alternative • Washington Street Corridor Project, Claire Bennett transportation, and conservation. There are two projects Associates, et al, 2003. listed in the greenways plan that effect Irvington. The first is the Pennsy Trail. The greenways plan states that • Pennsy Rail Trail Scoping Report, Storrow Kinsella between years 2001 and 2006, the following steps are Associates, Inc. recommended to be taken: • Pennsy Rail Trail Design and Acquisition Phase, Storrow Kinsella Associates, Inc. • Identify property ownership. • Eastside Revitalization District, City of Indianapolis, • Develop a report to establish a definitive route for Division of Community Development, 2003. The a transportation corridor along the former Penn portion of Irvington east of Sheridan Avenue and Central Rail Corridor. between 10th Street and the proposed Pennsy Trail • Conduct a feasibility/alignment analysis of a small is within the district (which extends on east to section of the Penn Central Corridor to serve as a German Church Road). Incentives include at least demonstration trail. a five-year real property tax abatement to property Between the years 2007 and 2012 the following step is owners who renovate or demolish existing buildings. recommended to be taken: Criteria for eligibility also include the following: a building (or buildings if an integrated center under • Explore possible connections to the Monon and B&O common ownership) of 60,000 square feet or more, Rail trails. a building vacant nine of the last 18 months, and The other project that effects Irvington is the Pleasant excluding land uses that may have an adverse Run Trail. Between the years 2001 and 2006, the impact on nearby land uses or property values. following steps are recommended to be taken: • Irvington Historic Area Preservation Plan, City of • Continue to discuss with Warren Park and other Indianapolis, Indianapolis Historic Preservation neighborhood groups the issues involving the Commission, 2006. Ellenberger to Shadeland Avenue section and work
- Introduction with these neighborhoods to help develop this County Comprehensive Plan were applied to this section portion of the trail. of the Irvington Neighborhood Plan (Irvington is in the • Assist in preparing and implementing a community western part of Warren Township). access plan to identify bike routes and alternative Zoning Ordinance of Marion County, Indiana means of access from neighborhoods. As established by state law, a zoning ordinance allows Between the years 2007 and 2012, the following step is a local unit of government to enact an ordinance for the recommended to be taken: purposes of: I • Prepare and implement a development plan for the • Securing adequate light, air, convenience of access, rvington Ellenberger to Shadeland Avenue section. and safety from fire, flood, and other danger. Indianapolis-Marion County Park, Recreation, • Lessening or avoiding congestion in public ways. and Open Space Plan, City of Indianapolis, • Promoting the public health, safety, comfort, morals, Department of Indy Parks and Recreation, 2004 convenience, and general welfare. This plan documents the status of Marion County Parks The Zoning Ordinance of Marion County helps regulate and Open Spaces. It also develops a blueprint for the the use of land and set certain standards by which it is creation and preservation of open spaces, recreation developed. For existing zoning see Map 10 in the Land facilities, and parks. Besides listing information of Use and Zoning Section or visit the City of Indianapolis’ parks and open spaces, this plan presents the Indy official web site. Parks Capital Improvements Budget for 2004-2008. Indianapolis Regional Pedestrian Plan, In addition, this plan lists the projects that are beyond Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, the ability of Indy Parks’ typical capital budget to in progress fund. It is suggested that these projects be scheduled contingent upon receiving grants or monetary The Indianapolis Regional Pedestrian Plan is donations. Included on this list are the Ellenberger intended to help make walking an integral part of the Park Family Community Center, the Pennsy, and land transportation system. The plan recommends: acquisition in eastern Warren Township. • Increasing opportunities for walking to schools, Comprehensive Plan of Marion County, Indiana, parks, work, transit, shopping, and services. City of Indianapolis, Division of Planning, 2005- • Providing mobility and independence to those that 2006 cannot drive. The Comprehensive Plan for Marion County serves as • Improving air quality by providing alternate means a general guide for decision makers concerned with the of transportation. physical development of Indianapolis. It also provides • Promoting healthy lifestyles. a framework for detailed physical development plans, The Pedestrian Plan is focused on Center Township, such as the Irvington Neighborhood Plan. The policies however, Warren Township is part of the study. identified in the Warren Township portion of the Marion
Introduction - Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation The Official Thoroughfare Plan for Marion (IPTC) County, City of Indianapolis, Indianapolis IPTC proposed a restructuring plan of its bus routes Metropolitan Planning Organization, 2002 in April 2004. There are four routes that serve the The streets identified in the Thoroughfare Plan neighborhood: #3 (Michigan Street), #8 (Washington comprise a system of roadways that includes freeways, Street), #10 (10th Street), and #55 (English). The IPTC expressways, and arterials (primary and secondary). plan proposed no changes to routes 3, 8, or 10 and This system provides access to area activities, reduces Irvington proposed reductions in Route 55. through traffic on local streets, as well as affording Regional Rapid Transit Study, Indianapolis connections through and beyond the county. Metropolitan Planning Organization, in progress Irvington streets that are listed on the Thoroughfare The Regional Rapid Transit Study is a comprehensive Plan are Emerson Avenue, Arlington Avenue, Brookville study of rapid transit in the greater Indianapolis area. Road southeast of its intersection with English Avenue, The 18 – 24 month process is designed to examine rapid English Avenue east of Arlington Avenue, Washington transit service for the region. This study has multiple Street, Michigan/New York/ Pleasant Run Parkway, phases and will determine a preferred system of transit and 10th Street. The project listed in the plan as a top corridors and technologies. Initial phases have defined priority is Brookville Road east of Arlington Avenue a system of travel corridors that serve the Indianapolis - widen from 24 feet of pavement to 48 feet divided by a region, and identified prospective technologies. median. One of the corridors identified as a part of the study is the Pennsy right-of-way. In a subsequent phase, the Pennsy right-of-way was not selected for further study. The Pennsy right-of-way may be studied in more detail as a transit corridor in the future.
- Introduction Economic Development Setting This planning project, funded by a $25,000 grant from United Water, was designed to help revitalize In the early days of Irvington, shopping opportunities Irvington’s central commercial corridor by enhancing its were provided for primarily by a small business district appearance. It spans two miles from Emerson Avenue on Audubon Road at the railroad. Over time commercial to Edmondson Avenue. The first phase focuses on the development would grow along Washington Street, heart of Irvington’s downtown commercial area from the central commercial area of historic Irvington being Irvington Avenue to Bolton Avenue. located on Washington between Ritter and Arlington The resulting plan, which included conceptual designs, Irvington avenues. Washington Street is a primary arterial was used to apply for $1.2 million in funds from the connecting high volume retail businesses, east side federal transportation enhancement program. As of communities, and downtown Indianapolis. Today, August 2005, the Irvington Development Organization commercial activity in the neighborhood is located had successfully acquired $200,000 in transportation primarily along Washington Street and at Irvington enhancement funds for the first phase of this Plaza a medium size commercial center also along revitalization effort. Washington Street toward the east side of Irvington. Elements of the corridor project address future site In addition, North Western Christian University (now development and architectural design guidelines in Butler University on the north side of the city) played order to improve neighborhood aesthetics and create an important role in providing jobs in the neighborhood. a more pedestrian friendly environment. The project Housing was built near the university for faculty and includes street furniture, period appropriate lighting, staff. Once the university moved out of the neighborhood pedestrian crosswalks, and infrastructure improve in 1927, future job growth in the area would occur ments, which evokes the spirit of the Arts and Crafts mainly at the manufacturing facilities south and east of movement and enhances Irvington’s historic character. the neighborhood. The Historic National Road (Washington Street in the Local neighborhood businesses are generally strong, county, U.S. 40 across its entire length), our nation’s rebounding from earlier decades of urban economic first federally funded interstate highway, connected the displacement and deterioration. However, the greater eastern seaboard in Maryland to the western interior in east side area has experienced a loss of big box Illinois. Conceived by George Washington, it became a commercial establishments further east on Washington reality in 1806 when Congress passed legislation during Street. Developing vacated commercial properties, Thomas Jefferson’s administration. upgrading the level of neighborhood amenities, and preserving historic commercial structures are among The road reached Indiana in 1827, and the 156 mile current neighborhood challenges. stretch across the state from Richmond to Terre Haute was completed in 1834. In the years that have followed, In the fall of 2003, Irvington residents participated the road has been through many phases of construction at the invitation of the Irvington Development and reconstruction. Railroads were built, automobiles Organization and the Irvington Historical Society were invented, and I-70 was constructed. Through it all, in planning the Washington Street Corridor Project. the National Road has remained one of Indiana’s main
Economic Development - streets and primary transportation corridors. Economic Development Committee The Indiana section of the Historic National Road was designated a State Scenic Byway in 1996, and a The Irvington Neighborhood Plan Economic National Scenic Byway in 1998. In 2002, the entire Development Committee met on March 11, April 22, Historic National Road was designated an All-American May 13, and June 16 of 2004. The committee took Road for its historical and cultural significance. The into account information taken from the February 21 National Road became the longest byway traversing the Irvington Town Hall meeting, the Washington Street greatest number of states to receive this honor. Corridor Project, the Pennsy Trail studies, and the Ball Irvington State University study. Information from these reports In April, 2006, the Irvington community was selected and meetings was used in the preparation of this to be a part of the FOCUS program. FOCUS (Fostering committee’s report. Commercial Urban Strategies) is a partnership of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), the City The neighborhood survey also was an important source of Indianapolis, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of information. Conclusions from the survey that relate of Commerce, and the Indianapolis Coalition for to the work of the Economic Development Committee Neighborhood Development. This program provides include the following: neighborhood organizations with financial and technical • The survey respondents rated Washington Street support for economic development and commercial real improvements, business development and more estate projects. In Irvington, the corridor selected is retail variety as numbers one, two and four in a list East Washington Street from Irvington Street to just of 23 possible neighborhood improvements. east of Arlington Avenue. • Regarding the appearance of retail areas in Assistance provided as a part of FOCUS includes: facade Irvington, respondents indicated that some improvement grants, a small business loan fund, a improvement was needed in signs, storefront brownfield redevelopment fund, listing on the Indy Site appearances, cleanliness of streets and sidewalks, Finder web site, a strategic acquisitions fund, an urban and streetscaping. economic development guide, commercial development • Over 25% of respondents indicated that they used consultations, and technical assistance. a grocery store, pharmacy, convenience store, gas Other important revitalization efforts include station, hardware store, and church at least once commercial developments on South Audubon Road a week. They were able to select from a list of 19 adjacent to the Pennsy Trail; development of Irvington different types of businesses or services that are Plaza; and the restoration of the Irving Theater. offered in the Irvington business area. Sixty-two Other recently completed development efforts include percent of the respondents use a neighborhood gas the Irvington Branch Library ($4 million in new station at least once a week, and nearly half use a construction); the historic Masonic Lodge (renovation); neighborhood grocery store once a week. and the Irvington Shops (new facades and renovation).
10 - Economic Development • Thirty-nine percent of respondents stated that they • The predominant way for residents to run errands in were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the quality the neighborhood area is to travel by car. Seventy- of retail activity in Irvington compared with 23% of six percent responded that they always or often respondents that stated they were satisfied or very traveled by car. Significantly, though, 30% of the satisfied. respondents stated that they always or often ran • More store variety received the most votes in terms Irvington errands on foot. of what changes would increase the respondents use • In terms of Irvington traffic and circulation, of retail and service establishments in Irvington. It respondents were most satisfied with the bus service Irvington was followed by more variety of products, improved and enforcement of traffic laws. They felt that some store maintenance, longer store hours, improved improvement was needed in pedestrian safety, marketing, more accessible parking, and improved bike racks, accessible parking, and clearly defined store management. crosswalks. • Respondents generally rated businesses average in • Although respondents stated that they feel safe in terms of serving daily shopping needs, providing a Irvington, they also expressed some concerns about clean/pleasant space, being easy to get to and park minor crimes. and positively affecting property values. “Easy to get • Survey respondents felt that increasing home to and park” and “providing a clean/pleasant space” ownership, improving Crime Watch efforts, and received the most positive responses of the four. seeking more consistent code enforcement were the • Over 40% of the respondents registered a great most important ways of improving neighborhood need for the following: a grocery store, sit down safety and security. restaurant, bookstore, and cultural attraction. In • Forty-one percent of respondents felt that there are addition, some need for a sporting goods store and intersections in the neighborhood that are dangerous offices, such as attorneys, was registered by over to vehicles and pedestrians, compared to 24% that 40% of the respondents. felt there were not.
Economic Development - 11 Future Economic Visions:
Economic Development Vision: Revitalization General Business Vision: Many retail, service, and restoration spur positive commercial growth and professional businesses, of a variety of sizes, are while preserving the unique character and culture located in historic Irvington. In order to help these of the historic Irvington neighborhood. Commercial businesses thrive, collaboration among the merchants areas are vibrant and diverse and enjoy destination is encouraged. Communication among businesses, Irvington appeal for the neighborhood and the community at neighborhood, potential customers, and government large. Historic commercial buildings are preserved, officials occurs regularly, and collaborative programs design standards are in place to guide revitalization assist each individual business to benefit from their and restoration, and new business development common interest in healthy commercial activity. increases family oriented amenities and enhances cultural/arts offerings. The untapped buying power New Business Development Vision: Enhance what of the neighborhood is promoted to and recognized Irvington has to offer by generating new, interesting, by developers, investors, potential new businesses, appropriate, and diverse galleries, art studios, and city officials. A marketing plan establishes a restaurants, groceries, and other businesses, while unique signature/brand for the neighborhood, and new preserving and maintaining its rich historical and development is pursued that meets the needs of the cultural feel. neighborhood and enhances its destination appeal. Promotions Vision: Irvington is known as a unique, Conditions Vision: Historical Irvington is a historic neighborhood and eclectic art community community made up of diversified cultures, unique on the east side of Indianapolis with character homes, and businesses located on the historic National reminiscent of a simpler time and a progressive state Road. The goal is to encourage local ownership of of mind. The public speaks of Irvington as a diverse businesses and homes to prevent deterioration and area of beautiful historic homes, wonderful open encourage beautification. Assistance is provided in green spaces, beautiful tree-lined streets, and an forming neighborhood crime watch programs, and safe historic center of culture and the arts. The greater houses for children are abundant. The community is Indianapolis business community recognizes Irvington family-based and has destination appeal to the greater as an important contribution to the city’s economic urban community. and cultural life.
12 - Economic Development Absentee Landlords Housing - Neglected and Blighted Areas Irvington has an owner occupancy rate of 70% compared Overall, building conditions in Irvington are very good. to Marion County’s 59.3%. Having a high owner Of the 4,500 structures in Irvington, there are only 43 occupancy rate helps explain why building conditions structures that either need major rehabilitation or are are significantly better in Irvington than in other late dilapidated. The greatest concentration of problems in 1800s to early 1900s Indianapolis neighborhoods. building conditions in single-family houses seems to be Typically, 71% of structures in older neighborhoods located near Washington Street, especially on the south are in excellent condition or in need of only superficial side of Washington Street. At present, Irvington does Irvington repairs. In Irvington, 82% of structures are in excellent not have a community development corporation with condition or in need of only superficial repairs. access to funds that could be used to improve housing Although the overall number of neglected properties conditions. is smaller than in most comparable communities, Public Safety a disproportionate number of neglected properties Public safety statistics and a recent survey of residents in Irvington are owned by absentee landlords. support that Irvington is a safe neighborhood. Even so, Absentee landlords do not share the same feelings of there are security issues that follow from living in an neighborhood investment and pride that local property urban community. The neighborhood would benefit from owners do. In order to reduce and ultimately eliminate more community involvement. neglected properties, neighborhood residents would like to encourage local ownership of properties in Irvington. Code Enforcement Over one third of buildings in the Irvington single- family and light industrial use categories were ranked excellent in the Land Use and Building Conditions Survey (see section on Land Use and Zoning). The highest percent of buildings in need of repairs is in the category of residential rental properties. Irvington residents would like to help monitor property conditions by establishing an Irvington Code Compliance Committee that meets regularly with City Code Compliance and Health and Hospital Corporation Photo - inspectors. In addition, information on existing codes Crimewatch and code violations should be made available to neighborhood residents, businesses, and property owners so that everyone is well aware of what is expected of them in terms of property upkeep.
Economic Development - 13 Roadways and Sidewalks neighborhood residents do support them. It would be Some sidewalks in the neighborhood are in need of beneficial to conduct activities among merchants and repair, and there are heavily traveled areas without residents that gauge customer satisfaction and use. sidewalks that should be developed. Additionally, there Stronger relationships among merchants, the area’s have been some sidewalk improvements done in the major companies, and neighborhood residents should be past that have not been sensitive to Irvington’s historic fostered. setting. Parking Irvington Transit As business activity increases, parking needs will The East Washington Street bus line follows the path change. Retailers prefer parking in front of buildings so of the Interurban that used to pass along Washington it is easily seen by motorists and can attract customers. Street to downtown. It is one of the most heavily ridden Another parking issue for some merchants is the bus lines in the city. Residents would like to have bus fact that there is limited parking on the south side of shelters at major bus stops, particularly on Washington Washington Street. Street. Commercial Realtors The Regional Rapid Transit Study recommended, in Commercial realtors often do not know the advantages the short term (four to nine years), adding a limited bus of living and working in Irvington. The neighborhood’s express route and improve service frequencies to the positive aspects should be promoted to commercial East Washington Street route. The neighborhood should realtors, new businesses, and home owners. monitor the plan and identify opportunities and issues Hispanic Business Community that arise for the neighborhood as it moves forward. The Hispanic population is increasing in Irvington, as Traffic are the number of Hispanic owned businesses. Between East Washington Street is a main artery into 1990 and 2000, the Hispanic population for the four Indianapolis. This facet creates a great deal of traffic Census tracts that generally make up Irvington more within the community. The large volume of cars on than doubled from 141 to 309 people. This increase came Washington Street makes it difficult for pedestrians to at a time when Irvington’s overall population declined cross the street, but also can create opportunities for by 8%. Irvington’s growing Hispanic community reflects positive economic growth. the rich diversity of the neighborhood. The community Merchants needs to reach out to Hispanic business owners and involve them in economic development efforts. Washington Street merchants have unique needs and could benefit by closer cooperation and collaboration Arts and Culture to improve the overall customer base in Irvington. Irvington is traditionally known for its arts community. There is a perception by merchants that Irvington Still, there is a need to actively promote the arts in residents do not shop in local shops, even though the the community and market cultural and art events survey results support the common sentiment that widely throughout the city. Additionally, residents
14 - Economic Development would like to see development of art galleries and more restaurants, pizza shops, bakeries, deli’s or other retail outlets and venues for Irvington artists and the sandwich shops, serving varied and extended hours. incorporation of public art into future neighborhood The historic covenants of Irvington may limit the sale improvements. of alcoholic beverages in the community, which may History create challenges to attracting new restaurants to the community. Irvington’s historic commercial buildings are an asset to the community and provide a small town feel. Design Retail guidelines are needed to establish an architecturally Irvington’s existing retail shops offer a mix of Irvington pleasing area while maintaining the established unique products and services. Continued growth to character. provide goods and services should appeal to both Neighborhood Grocery Irvington residents as well as people from outside the neighborhood. Antique stores add to the character Residents would like grocery stores to offer better of the community and have already created “niche” product choices and quality in a safe and desirable shopping in Irvington. Existing retail and service shopping atmosphere. Many residents currently do not options should be complemented by a diversity in new stay in Irvington to do their grocery shopping but would growth that offers a wider spectrum of amenities to like to do so. Some would prefer to walk rather than the neighborhood, such as more banks, a bookstore, drive. material shop, food shops, garden shops, galleries, etc. New Development In addition, residents would like more neighborhood New development should take into account the retail within walking distance of where they live. important history of the neighborhood. Some past developments have not done this. Residents are concerned about the nature, scale, and type of business that may come to the Irvington area. There is a need for the development of architectural standards and zoning regulations that will help guide future new development in a way that complements the community. Likewise, resources should be developed for property owners that explain how to conform or retrofit to design standards. Restaurants Irvington has several thriving neighborhood eateries. Still, the existing restaurant offerings would be Photo - Marsh Supermarket in strengthened by the addition of good, high-quality Irvington Plaza restaurants. They also would benefit from a diversity on Washington of options, such as upscale restaurants, ethnic Street
Economic Development - 15 Marketing Message Management The Irvington community is currently supporting a few Irvington has many unique assets that need to be unique, longtime businesses. Based on 1999 statistics, marketed and advertised. How does the community Irvington has a household income density of $157,628, get the word out that Irvington is no longer just “up which is more than double the Marion County figure and coming,” but that Irvington is a destination spot? of $75,931 (see Map 2). The Kroger at Linwood Square Cultivating relationships with the media is important to and the Osco (purchased by CVS in June, 2006) are getting the message out that Irvington is a vital active Irvington top grossing stores for their chains in Indianapolis. community oriented towards enriching the lives of Irvington residents want to get the word out to retailers residents through the arts, many clubs, organizations, that Irvington is capable of supporting a larger and and events. Programs should be designed to pass along more diverse shopping and business area. this information to the public. The relatively new Many residents believe that Irvington would benefit if Eastside Edition of The Indianapolis Star should help the major employers in the area were more involved fulfill this need, although efforts should also be made to in the community. Neighborhood leaders should build strengthen coverage in city wide media. collaborative relationships with these employers and Gateways develop programs that would encourage their staffs to live and shop in the area. Local realtors should be The Washington Street Corridor Project proposes encouraged to work with the major employers to help gateways for key locations to announce entry into their staffs locate in Irvington. Irvington. The gateways can be developed in conjunction with existing programs, for example through the Rotary Club’s Gateway Project and the Mayor’s Office.
16 - Economic Development 865 465 31 86TH ST 69 MICHIGAN 82ND ST
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Economic Development - 17 Historic District Status (Local) America Neighborhood. As the first of five such designations, Irvington is eligible to receive federal The adopted historic area plan is obviously important support for a variety of activities related to heritage for the protection it brings to the area’s historic tourism and innovative approaches to the use of historic buildings and their surroundings but also for its help in properties as educational and economic assets. The stimulating economic development. Department of the Interior and the Advisory Council on Historic Sites and Structures (State) Historic Preservation are two of the Federal agencies Irvington The Warren Township Interim Report - Indiana Historic partnering with the White House on Preserve America Sites and Structures Inventory of 1993 identified 35 initiatives. structures in the “outstanding” building category in Irving Theater the Irvington neighborhood (see Map 6). There were The Irving Theater is a valuable landmark and 25 residential structures, three commercial structures, community asset that, when restored, could help to and seven special use structures in Irvington that draw more cultural commercial life into the community. are considered outstanding examples of historic The neighborhood seeks more nightlife in its downtown architecture. area and would support such uses as the arts, live Historic Sites and Structures (Federal) music, and theater or movies. The 1993 Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Irvington Plaza Inventory also listed the following six historic districts The Irvington Plaza commercial area is situated on as potentially eligible for the National Register: prime real estate along Washington Street and is Pleasanton, Emerson Avenue Addition, A.V. Brown’s currently the location of a major grocery store, which Ellenberger Park Addition, Shearer’s Pleasant Run falls short of serving the needs of the neighborhood. Plaza, Irvington Terrace, and Murdoch Addition (see Short-term concerns include zoning compliance and Map 5). The North Irvington Gardens Historic District, aesthetics, while long-term concerns include total which includes the A.V. Brown’s Ellenberger Park redevelopment through removal and restoration. Addition and the Shearer’s Pleasant Run Plaza, was listed on the National Register in 2008. National Retailers Individual site and structures listed on the National National retailers should be recruited to portions of Register are the following: the Benton House (operated Washington Street not considered historic. An emphasis by the Benton House Association) at 312 South on locally owned businesses should be pursued in the Downey Street, the Graham-Stephenson House at 5432 historic downtown area. University Avenue, the Irvington Historic District, Pennsy Trail the Julian-Clarke House at 115 South Audubon Road, and the Carlos and Anne Recker House at 59 North The Pennsy Trail is a proposed 5.5 mile bicycle Hawthorne Lane. and pedestrian trail that will be a resource to both the transportation and recreation systems in the In March, 2006, Irvington was designated a Preserve Indianapolis area. The route of the proposed Pennsy
18 - Economic Development Trail utilizes the old, abandoned Pennsylvania Central Small Business rail corridor that is parallel to the south side of East Small businesses, such as the antique stores and the Washington Street. It will connect with the planned businesses in the Irvington Shops, are succeeding in Cumberland Pennsy Trail (Hancock County) from Irvington. They combine to help provide a good economic German Church Road at the east border of Marion niche for future growth in “mom and pop” businesses. County. Special care needs to be taken to ensure that these At Ritter Avenue, the trail will turn north to link with small businesses continue to grow and prosper. They the Pleasant Run Trail, which now runs to Garfield collectively preserve and strengthen the existing Irvington Park and ultimately will run to the White River (the character of the community, and residents would like to Pleasant Run Trail also is planned to extend east from see an increase in the number of locally based shops. Ellenberger Park). Streetscape The Pennsy Trail offers important opportunities for The Washington Street Corridor Project is viewed as recreation, transportation, and economic development an important revitalization effort along the Irvington in the community. The earliest Irvington commercial commercial corridor and spans two miles from Emerson district was located on Audubon Road near the Avenue to Edmondson Avenue. The first phase focuses Pennsylvania Railroad and extended on each side of on the heart of Irvington’s downtown commercial area Audubon at the National Road (Washington Street). The from Irvington Avenue to Bolton Avenue. train stop area at Audubon and the Pennsy right-of-way is historically important and can be a focal point for trail development. The Pennsy not only has the potential to add significantly to Irvington’s recreational offerings and stimulate trail related economic development, but also can become a revitalization catalyst for properties nearby. School 57 Indianapolis Public School 57 is an architectural and educational highlight of the neighborhood. It keeps education within walking distance for many students and represents both the past and the bright future ahead. The school benefitted from a recent$9.55 million renovation.
Economic Development - 19 Washington Street Zoning Washington Street presently has a traffic volume of Implementing local historic preservation ordinances can approximately 24,000 vehicles a day. While this makes support the need for better zoning enforcement in the it difficult for pedestrians crossing the street, national Irvington neighborhood. Consideration should be made retailers generally look for at least 20,000 vehicles a day to establish unique zoning, such as zero setbacks on before they will consider locating a store. Washington Street, and other regulations that promote More parallel parking and lighting are needed on mixed use development in commercial areas. The Irvington Washington Street, while parking is especially needed current zoning category for much of the commercial on on the south side of Washington Street between Ritter Washington Street is C4, which is primarily designed and Audubon. Signature lighting, both sign and façade for regional commercial centers in suburban locations. improvements, and positive new business recruitment C3C zoning is more appropriate for the existing would greatly enhance the commercial areas on commercial along Washington Street. It provides for Washington Street and on Audubon Road. retail use along high-volume primary thoroughfares located in established residential areas. Residential and commercial uses are permitted within a single building. In addition, residential use of upper story commercial buildings is permitted. Economic Development Projects and Programs The Economic Development Committee discussed issues, reviewed data, and recommended projects and programs that can help improve the Irvington neighborhood. The projects and programs listed have been edited from the original draft to be consistent with all discussions in the four other committees. Photo - Commercial In many instances, a project or program was discussed building in two, sometimes three committees. If this was designed for the case, an evaluation occurred as to whether a close proximity to Washington particular project or program is appropriate to a specific Street committee. If a project or program is appropriate, can new information be added by another committee? The following projects and programs are listed by topic and reflect the discussion in the committee.
20 - Economic Development Business 14. Determine the need for parking near commercial and apartment land uses. 1. Request signs to be placed along Washington Street directing customers to available public parking. 15. Draft a resolution through the Historic Irvington Community Council to encourage the renovation of 2. Encourage merchant seats in neighborhood Marsh. organizations or planning efforts. 16. Determine a location where diagonal parking may be 3. Form a committee or select an existing organization more efficient than parallel parking in high demand to create a business directory for Irvington. areas along streets. Irvington 4. Obtain market research firm, in cooperation with a 17. Work with the Irvington Guild of Artists to university, to conduct a comprehensive survey. determine feasibility of an artist co-op. 5. Increase parking enforcement where restrictions are 18. Foster voluntary cooperation regarding potentially not followed. shared parking spaces. 6. Focus business expansion in Irvington Plaza. 19. Assemble and identify parcels along Washington 7. Increase the support by Irvington residents for Street with the exclusive purpose for future local businesses by attracting a quality bookstore development. (possibly half price), video store, flower shop, arts- 20. Form an organization that will help develop oriented businesses, cafes, restaurants, dry cleaner, an inventory of vacant property and assemble grocery, and expanding the farmer’s market. properties for future development. 8. Develop a program that assists small business 21. Build relationships with Marsh and other owners in marketing. neighboring businesses to work as partners in the 9. Investigate the possibility of creating or using a redevelopment. small business incubator program. 22. Continue landscaping to the west on Washington 10. Advertise the neighborhood plan to business owners. Street, including pedestrian walkways, traffic- 11. Develop a program to provide skills training and job calmers, and creating a human scale environment. placement. 23. Attract new tenants to Washington Street. 12. Work through the Washington Street Corridor 24. Devise development tools that will assist in the Project to increase the accessibility of parking. attraction of new retail businesses within Irvington 13. Create a central corner adjacent to the Irving Plaza and develop a plan to market the area for Theater by rehabilitating nearby buildings for uses redevelopment. that are compatible with Irvington’s history and 25. Organize improvement projects to address the unique culture (office, public and semi-public uses, aesthetics of public parking lots. and educational services - free university).
Economic Development - 21 26. Develop a sponsorship program to replace the rezoning in the current C4 district along Washington sidewalk tiles. Street, and at the Audubon/Pennsy Depot. 27. Develop a program to recruit national retailers to be 5. Have thriving mixed use areas (residential/ located outside of the Irvington Historic District in commercial) at the Audubon/Pennsy depot and the neighborhood commercial areas. historic Washington corridor. 28. Form a merchants association. 6. Pursue zero set back zoning in select places to preserve older structures. Irvington 29. Seek local ownership of property. 30. Establish contact with key players in retail segment Housing of commercial market. 1. Publish a booklet on financial assistance programs. 31. Address parking shortages as economic activity 2. Provide free advertisement of properties for sale in increases and identify potential sites for sharing an Irvington newspaper or a circular. existing parking and increasing public parking. 3. Assess feasibility of forming a housing development 32. Promote the advantages of historic district corporation within the next three years. protection and the benefits of facade improvements 4. Open a facility or program providing immediate to commercial property owners. assistance for the homeless. 33. Develop a package of information for commercial 5. Develop voluntary incentive programs to encourage realtors that would be a portfolio of Irvington assets. residential and commercial maintenance and repair. Government Regulation 6. Promote home ownership by using INRC’s 1. Legalize the existing mixed use establishments at educational opportunities. Audubon Road. 7. Educate realtors and banks on various loans and 2. Identify properties that have problems associated grant opportunities for people to purchase housing. with asbestos removal in land preparation for 8. Continue to support the Irvington Congregations As construction, building demolition, and building Partners (ICAP) for the prevention of homelessness rehabilitation. by assisting with fund raisers, donations, event 3. Extol the benefits of mixed use areas (residential/ promotion, and volunteering. commercial) and infill development at strategic 9. Identify an organization that can deal with housing locations. issues in the neighborhood, and explore the 4. Promote the C3C district as the recommended or possibility of establishing a revolving loan fund for preferred zoning classification for redevelopment or housing repair.
22 - Economic Development Marketing 4. Establish a committee or other means of ongoing 1. Contact the Indiana National Road Association dialogue with the city’s Department of Public Works and Indiana Department of Transportation about regarding projects, particularly along Washington National Road sign installation. Street. 2. Develop a logo and phrase for the downtown 5. Monitor and participate in the city’s Pedestrian Plan Irvington business district to use on ads, flyers, etc. and Rapid Transit Plan. 3. Create an umbrella organization for Irvington or 6. Evaluate the traffic flow at the intersection of determine if the Irvington Leadership Circle is Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive and Ellenberger Irvington appropriate for this role. Parkway West Drive and the adjacent parking configuration for safe and efficient traffic movement. 4. Create a web site and email list involving all residents, businesses, and organizations to advertise 7. Investigate the feasibility of constructing bus community activities and events. shelters with pull-off lanes at major bus stops. 5. Research grant dollars for the construction of an 8. Study traffic counts/patterns and market major Irvington information center or rehabilitation of the improvement projects. Irving Theater as an information center along the 9. Encourage the Irvington Development Organization National Road. to apply for transportation enhancement funds for 6. Develop a relationship with the Metropolitan the improvement of the Pennsy Trail for pedestrian Indianapolis Board of Realtors with the purpose of purposes. providing realtors with information regarding the 10. Work with IPTC to coordinate bus shelter historic and positive aspects of Irvington. improvements with the streetscape project on 7. Explore obtaining Main Street Community status. Washington Street. 8. Develop a communications plan that emphasizes the Street Landscaping and Structures importance of safety in neighborhoods and schools 1. Create a pedestrian scale, a safe environment, and encourages individuals to report crime. sculptures, and murals as a part of the Washington Transportation and Public Works Street Corridor Project. 1. Inventory and pursue traffic calming measures in 2. Develop a definition of a Gateway and include a list the neighborhood. of the elements and locations needed to create a successful Gateway. 2. Improve aesthetics of streets, including the relocation or other treatment of power lines. 3. Develop a Gateway Fund for the establishment and maintenance of Irvington’s gateways. 3. Develop an inventory of sidewalks needing repair. 4. Create a definitive idea of how a Gateway should appear in Irvington and locate definite sites for proposed Gateways.
Economic Development - 23 Parks and Open Space Setting • People that responded to the question regarding the two most desirable facility improvements that would Irvington has significant, historic parks and open benefit Ellenberger Park, listed picnic shelters/areas spaces. In 1909 the city purchased Ellenberger Woods first, followed by park trails, passive recreation/ for the future Ellenberger Park. Pleasant Run Parkway, woods, swimming pool, and ice rink. which connects Ellenberger Park to Garfield Park, was • When asked why they chose to live in the planned by the prominent landscape architect George neighborhood, 65% of survey respondents listed Irvington Kessler in 1909. Ellenberger Parkway was laid out “community atmosphere” as the major reason. north of Ellenberger Park. Pleasant Run Golf Course • Seventy-two percent of survey respondents stated is an important feature in the northeast part of the that they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the neighborhood. Irving Circle was a part of the original location of parks and green space in the community. neighborhood plan and contains a bust of Washington • Fifty-five percent of survey respondents stated that Irving, the town’s namesake. they preferred the development of a new community The Kile Oak (maintained by the Irvington Historic center in the park instead of a new ice rink. Landmarks Foundation), reportedly the second largest • More than one quarter of survey respondents use the bur oak tree in the State of Indiana (no current park at least weekly. Nearly half of the respondents nomination for the Indiana Big Tree Register), is use the park at least monthly. located in the southern portion of the neighborhood. The proposed Pennsy Trail is located two blocks south of Parks and Open Space Vision Washington Street. Irvington has an excellent reputation as a pleasant, peaceful, family-oriented community with magnificent Parks and Open Space Committee tree lined streets and attractive, well used parks The Irvington Neighborhood Plan Parks and Open and open spaces where all are welcome. These parks Space Committee met on March 18, April 15, and May and open spaces provide the community plenty of 20 of 2004. The committee took into account information opportunities for individual and group activities taken from the February 21 Irvington Town Hall and recreation that leads to a healthy and cohesive meeting, the Washington Street Corridor Project, the neighborhood. Pennsy Trail studies, the Ball State University study, The Overall Neighborhood the Ellenberger Park 2000 Master Plan Amendment Irvington is a compact community with trees, sidewalks, and the Indianapolis-Marion County Park, Recreation, and winding residential streets. These aspects and Open Space Plan. The following reflects all of these encourage people to get out and walk to the park, to sources of information plus information taken from the Pleasant Run, or to the shops on Washington Street. neighborhood survey. Maintaining the neighborhood’s pedestrian orientation, Conclusions from the survey that relate to the work of especially in commercial areas, is very important. the Parks and Open Space Committee are as follows: The neighborhood’s park-like atmosphere, with its many trees, gives the neighborhood a very positive residential
24 - Parks and Open Space image. To protect this image, constant maintenance Another suggestion is adding banners to existing of parks and open spaces is essential. Sometimes light poles on major streets, such as Washington the community is frustrated with the speed at which Street. This might be one way of announcing entry improvements to the existing parks and open space are to the neighborhood. The banners also could feature made. neighborhood events such as the Halloween Festival. Irvington currently has a free, parks concert series in In discussing the area around the Irvington sign on the both Irving Circle and Ellenberger Park. The Parks northwest corner of Elizabeth and Washington streets, a and Open Space Committee feels that park concerts are suggestion was made that this area be made more of an Irvington an excellent mechanism to attract visitors to Irvington inviting entry to the community. It needs new landscape parks and businesses. treatment, and the possible addition of small plaques of The Parks and Open Space Committee is supportive the various Irvington organizations being added to the of the Washington Street Corridor Project. This sign. study recommends a number of improvements to The Parks and Open Space Committee recommended landscaping and open space in the Washington Street that portions of the cloverleaf at Shadeland Avenue corridor. Recommendations include a pocket park and Washington Street be planted in prairie grasses. adjacent to Legends Restaurant, landscaped medians, Improvements, such as a landscaped median, also are street trees, a public plaza at the Library, gateway needed in the right-of-way of Arlington Avenue to help elements at Pleasant Run Parkway and Washington make it more attractive and pedestrian friendly. Street, connections between residential parts of the The city has a consultant preparing a pedestrian/bicycle neighborhood and Washington Street, plus street plan for Indianapolis-Marion County with the Center furniture. Benches, trees, moveable seating, and bike Township portion being prepared first. Parks and Open racks are all considered by the committee as important Space Committee members expressed a desire to be elements that should be included in the plan for involved when the plan is being prepared for Warren Washington Street. Township to ensure that bicycle and pedestrian activity The committee discussed the need for other gateway and safety can be taken into account. features in the neighborhood. They suggested that the Two improvements to Irvington sidewalks were following intersections be examined for the possibility of mentioned by the committee. The first is that the adding gateway features: sidewalks need to meet Americans with Disabilities Act • Ritter Avenue and Washington Street standards, and the second is that the sidewalk tiles that • Arlington Avenue and Brookville Road spell out the street names need to be reintroduced into the neighborhood. People could sponsor the purchase In addition, the Parks and Open Space Committee feels and placement of the tiles. that gateway elements at Pleasant Run Parkway and The Parks and Open Space Committee expressed Washington Street might be a good way to add interest a desire for more visible police presence in the to Hilton Brown Corner. neighborhood. Police bike and horse patrols are a
Parks and Open Space - 25 suggested way of meeting this desire. The committee suggested that, as the Pennsy corridor is examined as a possible route for rapid transit, the ability to use portions of the corridor for trail and park related uses be preserved. Ellenberger Park Ellenberger Park (5301 East St. Clair Street, 37.4 Irvington acres) is an important part of the community’s identity (acquired in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Indianapolis Historic Park and Boulevard System district). It is a community park (a larger park with extensive facilities and recreational Photo - Aerial view of programs to serve a larger residential area). The Ellenberger park has one picnic shelter, one picnic cluster, two Park, 2003 playgrounds, one baseball field, one football field, one softball field, eight tennis courts (four of which are lighted), an ice rink building with some meeting space, surrounding the park, but they are not enough. The an outdoor swimming pool, 1.3 miles of gravel trail, speed limits near the park may need to be lowered. and a sledding hill. Pleasant Run travels through the One way of slowing cars is to allow parallel parking southern portion of the park. on streets. All way stop signs are preferred at the Ellenberger Park has the following programs: youth northeast, northwest, and southwest corners of arts and crafts, outdoor concerts, Indy in Motion skill Ellenberger Park. These are the intersections of St. development, ice skating, swimming, sports day camp, Clair Street and Ritter Avenue, St. Clair Street and art day camp, senior club, youth and adult hockey, Ellenberger Parkway West Drive, and Michigan Street youth tennis, adult ultimate frisbee, adult broom ball, and Ellenberger Parkway West Drive. It was pointed open swim, youth swim lessons, youth swim team, and out that there was already a study underway to lap swim. determine what traffic changes need to be made at St. The master plan for Ellenberger Park was updated Clair Street and Ritter Avenue. in 2000. The recommendations from this plan were Higher curbs should be put in place to ensure safe taken into account as a part of Parks and Open Space passage for pedestrians. Replacing the existing Committee discussions. deteriorated granite curbs with new granite curbs is Committee members expressed concern for the safety desirable. of pedestrians and bicyclists crossing streets to enter Since Ellenberger Park is a great asset of the Ellenberger. Cars do not seem to slow at existing community, the Parks and Open Space Committee crosswalks. There are playground signs on all streets feels that maintenance in the park needs to be handled
26 - Parks and Open Space in a timely and sensitive manner. Deteriorated parks community rooms at the ice rink building, are needed facilities such as bridges or pavilions should be replaced. in the park. If improvements are made to the rink Additions to the park, such as playground equipment building, community rooms will be a high priority. If a and rest rooms, need to be done in such a way that they family recreation center was to be built in the park, the complement the surrounding neighborhood. only place for it would be the present site of the ice rink. Committee members feel the community can make more The swimming pool at Ellenberger Park is well used. use of Ellenberger Park as a resource by incorporating Swim programs are usually full. Ellenberger Park will it into more of the neighborhood’s activities (the probably never have a water park type pool complex Irvington Halloween Parade, more free concerts, etc.). similar to that developed in other parks. A new pool Construction of a park amphitheater would significantly with a zero depth shallow end and some spray features enhance the park concert series and other similar is more likely. Shading elements may be added to the events. pool deck soon. The Pleasant Run Trail would get more use if the trail Hilton Brown Corner material was changed from gravel to a smoother surface Located at 5050 East Washington Street on the west to facilitate better use by bicycles, strollers, and roller side of Emerson, this property is 3.3 acres. The property blades. is in the Indianapolis Historic Park and Boulevard Ellenberger Park has many interesting natural System district and is named after 2nd Lt. Hilton U. features. The park’s recently added natural area Brown, Jr. adjacent to Pleasant Run is an asset. In addition, there are a great variety of trees in the park. Over the years, Disciples of Christ missionaries brought tree seeds from their travels to be planted in the park. The Garden Club plans to have a nature program in the park. Pleasant Run travels through the southern portion of the park, but the water quality of the creek needs to be taken into consideration. Ellenberger Park includes an area of garden plots, and some are presently available. It would be helpful to have a horticultural program in the park. Public ice skating at the rink increases in cold weather. The Ellenberger ice rink should be better advertised through a web site, flyers, and Spanish advertisement. Photo - More indoor community gathering places, such as Hilton Brown Corner
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Greenway
MRO AVE EMERSON Proposed Pennsy Trail Pleasant Run
ITRAVE RITTER Batts Rowe, Construction, Vernon C. Jr. Inc. Irving and Mildred M. ILYAVE KITLEY Circle ± Harlan Development j Company, LLC Kile Oak ENGLISH AVE ENGLISH AVE
BROOKVILLE RD Map 3 - Recreation and Open Space Potentials
Proposed Pennsy Trail Parks and Open Space Potential Future Parks and Open Space (Private Ownership)
28 - Parks and Open Space Irving Circle
10TH ST Irving Circle is classified as a mini-park. It is located at 236 South Audubon Road and was acquired in 1904. It
Greenway AVE EDMONDSON is on the National Register both as part of the Irvington HDLN AVE SHADELAND Historic District and the Indianapolis Historic Park and Boulevard System. It contains 0.7 acre and a fountain.
Ellenberger Pleasant Run Golf Course Kile Oak nt Irvington Ellenberger Park Pleasa Located in the southeastern portion of the neighborhood, Run Gree nway the bur oak tree was purchased in 1901 by Mr. O.W. RIGO AVE ARLINGTON MICHIGAN ST Kile for the sole purpose of preserving the massive tree.
The property is privately owned. Recently, the Irvington Photo - Kin Hubbard Memorial Portion of Greenway Garden Club built a picket fence in front of the Kile Oak to protect the roots. Pleasant Run Pleasant Run Parkway Hilton Brown Corner WASHINGTON ST Kin Hubbard Memorial Pocket Park (Private Ownership)
Pedestrian Connection This 0.3 acre memorial at 5100 East New York Street Pleasant Run Greenway is named after Indianapolis News and nationally Run Pleasant Run passes through Ellenberger Park and MRO AVE EMERSON Proposed Pennsy Trail syndicated cartoonist Frank McKinney Hubbard, Pleasant the Pleasant Run Golf Course in the northern part
ITRAVE RITTER creator of the popular Abe Martin series. Batts of the neighborhood. This portion of the creek and its Rowe, Construction, Vernon C. Jr. Inc. Irving and Mildred M. banks also are in the Historic Park and Boulevard ILYAVE KITLEY Laura’s Community Garden Circle System district. Pleasant Run extends from its origin Laura’s community garden was developed by the near 21st Street and Shadeland Avenue to White River community and is located at 156 South Downey Avenue. west of Garfield Park. The banks of Pleasant Run in ± The Irvington Garden Club helped create the garden. Harlan Ellenberger Park are being restored with the help of an Development j Company, LLC Parkways Indianapolis Power and Light grant. The honeysuckle Kile has been removed, and native plants have been planted. Oak Ellenberger Parkway extends from 10th Street to St. ENGLISH AVE Clair Street. It contains 4.3 acres. There is a 0.3 mile The Parks and Open Space Committee suggests that ENGLISH AVE walking trail planned for the parkway. Pleasant Run the water in Pleasant Run needs to be cleaned so that Parkway extends from Shadeland Avenue to Bluff Road. is more attractive, healthier, and smells better. Natural BROOKVILLE RD It contains 113.5 acres. It has 6.3 miles of completed cleaning techniques, such as the use of wetlands, should asphalt trail from Garfield Park to Ellenberger Park be investigated. Low portions of Pleasant Run Golf
Proposed Pennsy Trail with five additional miles planned. Both parkways are Course near Pleasant Run could be used in this manner. Parks and Open Space on the National Register as parts of the Historic Park A new system has been installed on Pleasant Run Potential Future Parks and Open Space and Boulevard System district. in Ellenberger Park that retains excess storm water (Private Ownership)
Parks and Open Space - 29 during heavy rains so that it can be released later when Parks and Open Space Projects water levels are lower. and Programs Pleasant Run Golf Course The Parks and Open Space Committee discussed issues, The 18 hole, par 72 golf course is located at 601 North reviewed data, and recommended projects and programs Arlington Avenue and contains 102.8 acres. It was that can help improve the Irvington neighborhood. The acquired in 1922. projects and programs listed have been edited from the Irvington The Pocket Park original draft to be consistent with all discussions in the The pocket park is located at 28 South Webster four other committees. Avenue. It is in a portion of the neighborhood with little In many instances, a project or program was discussed recreation or open space. The Irvington Garden Club in two, sometimes three committees. If this was built and maintains the park. the case, an evaluation occurred as to whether a Trails particular project or program is appropriate to a specific committee. If a project or program is appropriate, can The Pleasant Run Trail extends from Garfield Park to new information be added by another committee? The Ellenberger Park. following projects and programs are listed by topic for The proposed Pennsy Trail would connect the Pleasant readability and reflect the discussion in the committee. Run Trail with the planned Cumberland Pennsy Trail Ellenberger to the east in Hancock County. The Pennsy Trail is presently in the design and acquisition stage of 1. Install appropriate plantings along the top of the planning. embankment east of Ritter Avenue to discourage pedestrian use of this narrow shoulder. The Parks and Open Space Committee suggests that the walking trail on the parkway east of Ellenberger Park 2. Extend the park perimeter trail to connect the should have improved pedestrian protection against parking lot with the trail located near the ice rink nearby auto traffic and be extended to the southwest service drive. corner of Irvington. 3. Install a new ramp adjacent to the existing stairway, Possible New Parks install new hand railing, and improve landscaping at the southeast corner of the park (intersection of Irvington has significant parks and open spaces, but Ritter Avenue and Pleasant Run Parkway South there are certain parts of the neighborhood, especially Drive). areas that are not near Ellenberger Park, that need more recreational spaces. Discussion included creating 4. Enhance the park concert series. new safe parks and recreational areas for all ages and 5. Install a gate on the west side of the tennis courts activities, especially in portions of the neighborhood for additional access and increase the height of the that lack these facilities. fence on the eastern side of the tennis courts to provide improved protection.
30 - Parks and Open Space 6. Add benches to increase rest areas along existing protection and management tool. trails in response to an increased interest in bird 18. Redesign the space markings and resurface the watching. current parking areas to increase the quantity of 7. Provide a designated area for sledding adjacent to spaces and improve circulation. the northeast parking area defined with temporary 19. Implement a long-term landscape improvement signs or other means to protect the safety and plan. welfare of users. 20. Construct a second football field between the 8. Provide a pull-off buffer for the small parking lots at existing football field and the baseball fields. Irvington the northwest and southwest corners. 21. Extend a trail from the north edge of Ellenberger 9. Locate picnic clusters, including two picnic shelters, Park north along Ellenberger Parkway East Drive tables, and grills as recommended in the master to 10th Street to link with the Indy Parks greenway plan. system. 10. Construct trail extensions between the existing ice 22. Install naturalized plantings as a buffer between rink, the pool facility, and the existing trail south of the open use areas and the existing vegetation along the tennis courts. Pleasant Run. 11. Install temporary utility services to accommodate 23. Gauge the desire of Irvington residents as to planned special events within the park. whether the ice rink should be demolished or a 12. Incorporate a hard surface alternate to an existing recreation center built. fine stone trail. Other Parks 13. Extend and convert the ice rink service drive into 1. Ensure that periodic maintenance is done to the Kile a trail/restricted vehicular access service road Oak and its site. to connect to the spur that links south to the pedestrian bridge over Pleasant Run and locate a 2. Investigate the feasibility of employing natural trail head kiosk along the service drive entrance. cleaning techniques, such as the use of wetlands, to improve water quality, especially along Pleasant 14. Redesign baseball fields to be consistent with Little Run. League regulations and construct new fences and backstops. 3. Support the agreement between Indy Parks and the Friends of Irving Circle that facilitates preservation 15. Replace the existing portable rest rooms with and maintenance of Irving Circle. permanent rest room facilities as part of a combination picnic shelter/rest room. 4. Expand the Friends of Irving Circle to include Hilton Brown Corner and Kin Hubbard Memorial. 16. Improve the existing trail along Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive. 5. Maintain the banks of Pleasant Run for erosion control and elimination of non-native plants. 17. Prepare an Urban Forestry Plan to serve as a
Parks and Open Space - 31 6. Increase financial support of the Irvington Garden 4. Establish a not-for-profit, natural, environmental Club. conservancy association. 7. Investigate the possibility of acquiring land for a 5. Investigate the possibility of planting prairie grasses new park adjacent to the south edge of the Pennsy at the Shadeland Avenue at Washington Street right-of-way between Good Avenue and Arlington cloverleaf. Avenue and between Arlington and Sheridan 6. Enhance the appearance of Arlington Avenue with Avenues. landscaping improvements. Irvington 8. Investigate the possibility of acquiring land for a Pennsy Trail new park to the west of Kitley Avenue businesses and the east of houses in the 400 block of South 1. Include neighborhood representation on the Pennsy Kenmore Road. Trail development team. 9. Investigate the possibility of using the parking lot 2. Incorporate historic railroad elements in the design for the Mission Apartments for hard surface play in and landscaping of the Pennsy Trail. conjunction with Laura’s Community Garden. 3. Acquire the Batts Construction parcels and Overall appropriate right-of-way to develop the trail. 1. Encourage participation in the pedestrian/bicycle 4. Construct the Pennsy Trail to connect to other plan for Warren Township. greenways and to be a necessary feature of a cultural district. 2. Establish a Friends of Irvington Parkways organization. 3. Encourage group sponsorship of parks and open spaces to facilitate maintenance of trees and landscaping in the right-of-way and other public spaces.
32 - Parks and Open Space Arts, Culture, Education, and thousand students had attended Butler. Butler moved to the north side of the city in 1928. Today, only the Bona Diversity Setting Thompson Memorial Library (5350 University Avenue) The plat for Irvington was filed in 1870. It derived its built in 1903 remains from the Irvington campus. inspiration from the winding streets of Glendale, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. The curving street plan was fashionable for the visual relief, with land set aside for public parks and a college. After forming a town Irvington government in 1873, ordinances required lot owners to build sidewalks and plant street trees. Also in 1873, Ovid Butler (lawyer, journalist, and philanthropist) announced that Irvington had won a competition to be the new site of North Western Christian University. Edwin May (prominent Indiana architect) designed the main building, and classes began Photo at left - Bona Thompson in 1875. Shortly thereafter, the name of North Western Memorial Center Christian University was changed to Butler College. (courtesy of Paul Diebold) The 1890s were growth years for Irvington. Electric streetcars ran along Washington Street, making its intersections with Ritter Avenue and Audubon Road prime commercial locations. The next decade brought interurban trains (light rail passenger trains) to and through Irvington. With faster transportation to downtown Indianapolis, builders and home buyers flocked to Irvington. Photo at far left - Butler The Children’s Guardian Home also found Irvington College, 1904 to be an ideal location and erected a building at 5751 (Photograph University Avenue in the late 1890s. Over the last by Bass Photo one hundred years, the Home has provided emergency Company Collection, shelter for minors from birth to age 18 years and Indiana Historical remains in Irvington to this day. Society, 3074) On February 18th, 1902, Indianapolis annexed The Christian Women’s Board of Missions built a Irvington. The annexation brought a new school Missionary Training School in 1909 adjacent to the (IPS No. 57 to replace a school destroyed in a fire), a campus. By the eve of the First World War, over one firehouse, and brick streets.
Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity - 33 Irvington
Photo at right - postcard of IPS 57, c. 1915 (courtesy of Irvington Historical Society) Irvington acquired a reputation for the arts during the early 1900s. Butler College Chairman of the Board Photo Hilton U. Brown moved out to Irvington in 1892 and at far right - called on artistic friends to follow. Soon, cartoonist “Pleasant Run,” William Kin Hubbard built a house at New York and Emerson. The town also was the birthplace and home of The Forsyth, 1910, Notable Hoosier artists William Forsyth, Clifton Irvington Group, one of Indiana’s recognized art Oil on Canvas, Wheeler, Dorothy Morlan, and Helene Hibben all lived, movements, which included 17 resident and professional Irvington exhibited, and produced art in Irvington. Historical artists: Simon Baus, Paul Baus, Carolyn Bradley, Society A tradition in Irvington was the series of annual Constance Forsyth, William Forsyth, Helene Hibben, Collection exhibits of the Irvington Artists sponsored by the Thomas Hibben, William Kaeser, Dorothy Morlan, Union of Clubs from 1928 to 1937. These art exhibits Frederick Polley, Robert Selby, Clifton Wheeler, Hilah were more than shows of local artists, attracting the Wheeler, Charles Yaeger, Alice Cook, Robert Craig, and attention of visitors from all over the state of Indiana Martha Lee Frost. Several of the Artists taught at the and surrounding states. then named Herron Art Institute. As instructors in city high schools and area art schools, Style varied within the Irvington Artists. In a the Irvington Artists, have been influential in the broad sense, they were part of the American Post development of art and artists in Indianapolis, in Impressionist era as best seen in the work of William Indiana, and the greater Midwest. Recognizing this Forsyth and Clifton Wheeler. On the other hand, some unique era of Irvington’s past, the Irvington Historical members such as Constance Forsyth and William Society has collected, interpreted, and preserved a body Kaeser, were painting another, more realistic view of work now on display at the Bona Thompson Center. of the American scene, where the hand of man was
34 - Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity in evidence. Dorothy Morlan was the modernist of Figure 2 the Artists, exhibiting her large, almost surrealistic Age Structure of Residents in 2000 landscapes of the American countryside. Regardless of 30.0 27.6 style, the Irvington Artists were part of the American 27.1 25.8 24.6 25.0 24.5 wave in documenting this land in portraits of particular 23.1 22.3 places, capturing the unique elements of each region in 20.5 20.2 which they painted. 20.0 18.4 A significant event began in 1946 when Irvington 15.1 15.0 14.4 Irvington merchants formed a Halloween Festival, one of the 12.6 12.7 oldest festivals in the city. Also, the Benton House 11.1 Home Tour has been held over the last 30+ years, 10.0
Indianapolis’ oldest continuous home tour. Percent of Total 5.0 Two significant organizations formed in the last 40 years to preserve the history and character of Irvington. 0.0 The Irvington Historical Society formed in 1964 to help Under 18 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ preserve the heritage of this community. The Society Age Group owns, maintains, and operates the Bona Thompson Irvington Center. The Historic Irvington Community Council Warren Township formed in 1970 to better represent the voice of Irvington Source: 2000 U.S. Census Marion County residents in matters of city government. Irvington’s People and Schools in the census survey. Individuals chose the ancestral categories that they are akin to, with opportunities to The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2000 survey of the country’s select multiple ancestries (see Figure 3). Approximately population includes questions related to an individual three-quarters of all ancestry identified is European person as well as the dwelling (residence) where an (75.6%). A significant percentage of respondents (10.9%) individual lives. identified themselves as being of North American The age of Irvington residents shows a higher ancestry, an identification that arose from years living percentage in the 30 to 44 and 45 to 64 year age away from other continents, or being a member of the brackets when compared to Warren Township and native population. Marion County (see Figure 2). The higher percentage Also, part of Irvington’s ancestry are persons who in these age brackets does mean the needs for products identified themselves more with a racial category (9.1%) and services are greater in the Irvington community than a country or continent. More importantly, the then surrounding areas. small percentages of ancestries that reside in Irvington The culture of Irvington residents can, in one way, be (African, Asian, Australian, and Hispanic) add richness expressed in the ancestry each individual identified with to this community.
Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity - 35 Figure 3 school, it is located at 4900 East Julian Avenue with an enrollment of approximately 1,440 students. Ancestry Reported in Irvington on April 1, 2000 The Irvington Community School is a public charter school consisting of an elementary school at 6705 East Continent of Ancestry Number % Julian Avenue with approximately 400 students in African 14 0.1 grades K-8 and a high school at 6040 Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive with approximately 200 students. Irvington Asian 151 1.4 It is sponsored by Ball State University. Australian 10 0.1 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is at 30 South European 8,235 75.6 Downey Avenue. It has approximately 280 students in North American 1,184 10.9 preschool through eighth grade. Hispanic (any Country, Region, or Continent) 309 2.8 Other Groups (Racial Identifi cation) 989 9.1 Total 10,892 100.0 Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Photo - Graduating class A public elementary school, a public academy of IPS 57, 1924 (combination middle and high school), a public charter (courtesy school, and a catholic elementary school are located in of Irvington the neighborhood. Historical Society) IPS No. 57 (George W. Julian School), located at 5435 East Washington Street and built in 1903/1915, educates students from kindergarten to grade 5 with an enrollment of approximately 220 students. The recent A major resource that supports area education is the renovation included enlarging teaching rooms, providing Irvington Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County new lunch room and support space, and providing a new Public Library. Located at 5625 East Washington full size gymnasium. Street, the Irvington Branch offers a range of Thomas Carr Howe Academy is a combination middle educational programs from preschool age to adult. and high school (grades 6 to 12) for students in the IPS The educational attainment of Irvington adults age 25 system. This Academy is an athletics careers magnet years and older is displayed in Figure 4. Residents are school featuring sports medicine, sports business, sports more likely to hold a bachelor, graduate, or professional fitness, and telecommunication. Built in 1937 as a high degree than residents of the township or county.
36 - Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Figure 4 Educational Attainment in 2000 Persons Age 25 and Older Irvington Warren Township Marion County Educational Attainment Number % Number % Number % Less than 9th Grade 245 3.0 2,411 4.0 25,594 4.6 Irvington 9th to 12th Grade, No Diploma 1,094 13.5 8,800 14.5 76,002 13.7 High School Graduate 2,157 26.7 21,993 36.2 163,991 29.6 Some College, No Degree 1,895 23.5 14,396 23.7 116,462 21.1 Associate Degree 398 4.9 3,375 5.6 30,860 5.6 Bachelor Degree 1,574 19.5 6,893 11.3 92,419 16.7 Graduate or Professional Degree 717 8.9 2,869 4.7 48,131 8.7 Total 8,080 100.0 60,737 100.0 553,459 100.0 Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Arts, Culture, Education, and Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Committee Diversity Projects and Programs The Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Committee The committee developed a set of recommended projects met three times to discuss issues, review data, and and programs that can help improve the neighborhood. develop recommendations. The committee also took into Those projects and programs listed on the following account information taken from the Irvington Town pages have been edited from the original draft to Hall meeting. be consistent with all discussions in the four other committees. In many instances, a project or program was discussed in two, sometimes three committees. If this was the case, an evaluation occurred as to whether a particular project or program is appropriate to a specific committee or if additional information be added by another committee. The projects and programs that follow reflect the discussion in the committee.
Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity - 37 Arts and Culture small (less than 75 artists) and quality fine art WIP fair. 1. Improve organization to accomplish more projects, organizing as one community voice. 12. Advocate all Irvington organizations provide a web link to the Historic Irvington Community Council 2. Develop a yearly calendar of community and cultural (http://www.irvingtoncouncil.com) web site to events. improve event coordination and promotion. 3. Contact existing Indianapolis galleries to determine 13. Utilize the Bona Thompson Center as a focal point interest in satellite stores. Irvington and increase number of locations that distribute the 4. Evaluate the creation of street banners on poles by Irvington Events Calendar. deciding the locations, events to advertise, assess 14. Construct directional signs along roads (including cost, and funding source. interstate) to note historic sites in the Irvington 5. Promote, to a greater extent, the Irvington artists of neighborhood. yesteryear and new artists at the Bona Thompson 15. Construct more and visible Town markers at the Center, the library, Legends Restaurant, Dufours, or boundaries of the Irvington neighborhood. other appropriate venue. 16. Finance the construction of information kiosks at 6. Ensure the future of Luminaria, Benton House strategic locations that would advertise community Home Tour, Ice Cream Social, Halloween Festival, events. and the Gathering of Artists as community traditions. 17. Explore the potential of the Bona Thompson Center as a cultural center for the Irvington neighborhood. 7. Encourage the library and other neighborhood organizations to hold programs that focus on Diversity Irvington’s literary, educator, and arts history. 1. Determine a process to contact and invite 8. Improve the appearance of the Irvington sign at organizations that typically do not participate in Elizabeth and Washington streets with improved community and neighborhood activities. landscaping and possibly new signs. 2. Increase communication with senior citizens to 9. Seek additional funding to continue publication of provide information and referrals for transportation, the Irvington Events Calendar. adult day care, respite care, home health aides, 10. Encourage all Irvington organizations to expand the attendant care, home repair and modification, legal number of resources utilized and events to advertise assistance, and ombudsman services. in local publications, including the Indianapolis Star 3. Include a quarterly briefing by a representative of East, and resurrecting the Irvington newspaper. The Hispanic Center or the Mayor’s Commission on 11. Improve event promotion to increase attendance, Latino Affairs at meetings of the Historic Irvington create a better “Walk in the Park” (WIP) committee Community Council (http://www.irvingtoncouncil. structure, and implement a strong commitment to a com).
38 - Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity 4. Include a Latino representative from Irvington 9. Resurrect the free university of yesteryear by on the Historic Irvington Community Council rehabilitating vacant buildings surrounding the (http://www.irvingtoncouncil.com). Irving Theater. 5. Ensure people with disabilities have adequate Physical Environment universal access in their neighborhoods. 1. Assist the Irving Theater Foundation once federal 6. Create diversity workshops to improve diversity not-for-profit status is obtained in assessing the awareness in Irvington neighborhoods. rehabilitation cost and obtaining a fiscal agent whom Education can help buy the Irving Theater, the main problem Irvington to renovation. 1. Partner with higher education to offer a satellite location for adult continuing education courses. 2. Encourage the Historic Irvington Community Council to coordinate with Veolia Water 2. Work with IPS and the community to tie School 57 Indianapolis, LLC in order to paint the water tower into the Washington Corridor Streetscape Project. with a logo consistent with Irvington’s historic 3. Emphasize art education in secondary schools and in character. continuing education classes. 3. Fund art installations on public land and cultural 4. Continue neighborhood support of the Irvington enhancement activities through the Indianapolis Community School by identifying locations for a Cultural Development Initiative. permanent home within or in proximity to Irvington 4. Use the Irving Theater as a cultural center, a visual and the future plans for a charter high school. and gallery art display, a home for an existing civic 5. Maintain and emphasize the cooperation between theater, a concession/food stand, other not-for-profit Indianapolis Public Schools and the Irvington uses, and apartments in conjunction with grant Community School for the benefit of children’s writing of the Irving Theater Foundation. education. 5. Reserve time at the Historic Irvington Community 6. Increase the numbers of volunteers that tutor Council (http://www.irvingtoncouncil.com) meetings children at the Guardian Home. to report on arts and cultural events, thus improving 7. Implement a volunteer program for tutoring community communication and cooperation with the elementary education students in the Irvington intent of stimulating economic development. Community School. 8. Promote the utilization of the Irvington Community School for High School Diploma and General Education Degree (GED) classes for persons age 18 or older.
Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity - 39 Public Safety and Code Overall Statements from Meetings Enforcement Committee • Emphasize blocks on fringe that need improvements because they will impact the heart of Irvington The Irvington Neighborhood Plan Public Safety and historic homes. Address these issues ahead of time Code Enforcement Committee met on March 18, April through education. 15, May 20, and June 17 of 2004. The committee took • Focus on the entire Irvington area, beyond the into account information taken from the February 21 blocks immediately north and south of Washington. Irvington Irvington Town Hall meeting, the Washington Street • Increase pride in the neighborhood. Corridor Project, the Pennsy Trail studies, and the Ball • Determine different mechanism and locations to State University study. get community information out. This may include The neighborhood survey also was a source of email list, web site portal, community council email, information. Opinions expressed in the survey pertinent calendar of events, etc. to public safety and code enforcement included the • Generate an informational piece indicating following: organizations and contact information for various • Although respondents to the survey stated that circumstances. they feel safe in Irvington, minor crimes are still a • Encourage the continuation of educational programs concern. for reemployment. • Survey respondents felt that increasing home • Town hall meeting or neighborhood workshop might ownership, Crime Watch efforts, and code be a good venue to educate the community about enforcement were the most important ways of the Mayor’s Commission on Latino and the Mayor’s increasing neighborhood safety and security. Office of Disability Affairs. • When asked about the most important • Washington Street, Irvington Plaza, parks, and improvements that they would like to see in vacant housing were identified as ideal areas to Irvington, Washington Street improvements, repair target improvements in crime prevention efforts. of houses, and improvements to businesses were • The Speedrome has been in existence for many the top three choices from the list of 23 possible years. There can be a lot of noise associated with improvements. a race; however, the Speedrome does meet code Committee Vision Statement in regard to the noise and start and stop times. Starting with an historic foundation, Irvington has Landscaping and parking lot improvements may be grown into a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community, enforcement issues. meshing home spun shops with industrial spaces and • Develop activities for all age cohorts. building safe and peaceful neighborhoods a block at a • Improve street crossings and provide a pedestrian time. buffer along Washington Street. • Ensure people biking on the Pennsy Trail know of commercial opportunities along Washington Street.
40 - Public Safety and Code Enforcement Code Enforcement regarding abandoned buildings, abandoned vehicles, By law, property owners are required to maintain air pollution, dead animal pick-up, fallen trees and their properties to a standard code. Currently, limbs, sewer and drain problems, street and sidewalk the Department of Public Works and the Health maintenance, trash burning, dumping violations, and and Hospital Corporation’s Marion County Health weed control. Department are the two local agencies charged with Community Collaboration code enforcement. Community amenities include the new library, the Health and Hospital’s goal is to protect public local schools, Bona Thompson Center, parks and open Irvington health and safety as well as reversing neighborhood space, and a number of churches. Irvington is rich with deterioration. This goal is achieved primarily through active organizations such as the Historic Irvington the housing and sanitation code inspection program. Community Council, Irvington Historical Society, The department’s Unsafe Building Program performs Irvington Garden Club, Irvington Guild of Artists, along code enforcement activities through a cooperative with many others. The Irvington Leadership Circle is agreement with the City of Indianapolis. This program a regular meeting of leaders from each of Irvington’s ensures that vacant properties are boarded, repaired, or organizations to coordinate their various events and demolished according to state laws. missions. Irvington’s strength is in the activities of the community. The Irvington Events Calendar is published every two months with daily information on meetings and events. Notable events include Town Hall meetings, market days though summer, the Halloween Festival, and the Luminaria. Crime Prevention The Northeast District (district offices at 3229 North Shadeland Avenue) of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) includes Irvington. The most recent crime data indicates that the neighborhood has a significantly lower rate in Part 1 crimes per 1,000 people Photo - when compared to that of Marion County. Part 1 crimes House in need of include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, repair burglary, larceny theft, and vehicle theft. The Mayor’s Action Center (MAC) is an agency that Crimewatch is a unit of IMPD. Citizens participating in assists citizens of Indianapolis and Marion County in this program become more aware of crime prevention contacting and soliciting services from the city. The techniques that can help lower their risk of becoming MAC takes service requests and provides regulations victims. The purpose of Crimewatch for neighbors to
Public Safety and Code Enforcement - 41 Irvington
Photo - Crimewatch neighborhood
facilitates all safety and emergency aspects of Indy Parks. Coordinator responsibilities include the following: responding to and investigating serious safety related incidents, maintaining the emergency action plan, conducting on-site safety audits of facilities, acting Map 4 - as Indy Parks liaison to the Emergency Management Active Crimewatch Blocks Division, assisting with special event planning for large events, managing documentation of all accident reports, assist in reducing crime and the fear of crime in the and managing Indy Parks wildland and prescribed fire neighborhoods. This proactive approach against crime team. In addition, the Indy Park Watch program is an is taken through communication and cooperation of organized effort to reduce crime in and around all parks citizens, law enforcement, and local government. Over (no matter what their size). It is designed to make the time, Crimewatch has developed additional programs in parks even safer for families to enjoy the out-of-doors response to the needs of the community. through awareness and reporting of criminal activity. Additional information can be found at http://www.indy. The Crimewatch Coordinator for portions of Irvington gov/EGOV/CITY/DPR/Pages/IndyParksHome.aspx. south of Washington Street can be reached at 327- 6365. The Crimewatch Coordinator for Irvington north Housing of Washington Street can be reached at 327-6265. A majority of Irvington land use consists of single- Additional information can be found at http://www.indy. family residential. 82.3% of the residential structures gov/eGov/IMPD/Involved/Watch/Pages/home.aspx. in Irvington are single-family compared to 67.3% for Indy Parks has procedures in place to ensure safety in Marion County. 3,673 of the 4,500 structures, or 81.7% community parks. The risk management coordinator of the structures in Irvington, are either in excellent
42 - Public Safety and Code Enforcement condition or only need superficial repairs. However, in 1994 to strengthen, develop, and empower there are 43 structures in Irvington that either need neighborhood based organizations and residents to be major rehabilitation or are dilapidated. The greatest advocates for and instruments of positive change in concentration of problems in building conditions in their neighborhoods and to build and maintain better single-family houses seems to be concentrated near community. This is done by providing the information Washington Street and especially on the south side of and assistance to neighborhood organizations so Washington Street. they can set their own priorities and effectively The City of Indianapolis receives four entitlement address the issues affecting the quality of life in their Irvington grants (Community Development Block Grant, Home neighborhoods. INRC works directly with neighborhood- Investment Partnership Program Grant, Emergency based organizations throughout Marion County, Shelter Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons including neighborhood associations, home owners With AIDS grants) from the U.S. Department of associations, community development corporations, Housing and Urban Development that are designed to churches, and other not-for-profit groups. Additional assist low-income individuals and families in dealing information is available at http://www.inrc.org. with issues involving housing and individual barriers The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is and circumstances relating to housing. DMD’s Division an organization that provides early-stage financing in of Community Development oversees the distribution blighted areas for housing and economic development of the grants. Additional information can be found projects. By committing funds early and by helping to at http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DMD/Community/ leverage additional resources, LISC has helped CDCs Grants/Pages/home.aspx. throughout Indianapolis transform their communities. Recently, the City of Indianapolis has placed a focus on The results of these investment initiatives can be seen abandoned houses and affordable housing initiatives. in revitalized urban neighborhoods throughout the To this date, an inventory of vacant homes has city. Additional information is available at http://www. been completed, a top ten list of property owners of liscnet.org/indianapolis. abandoned homes having unsafe building violations The Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership has been released, vacant land has been transferred to (INHP) is a not-for-profit organization created in 1988 to local Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for develop and promote strategies to address the housing rehabilitation and the creation of affordable housing, needs of low- and moderate-income citizens. INHP and an Abandoned House Work Group has been created. works with government, business, and community Indianapolis is privileged to have many organizations partners to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing available as resources for improving the housing opportunities in healthy, viable neighborhoods. INHP throughout Marion County. The following paragraphs helps secure, coordinate and leverage financial, describe these resources. human, and organizational resources to promote home ownership; promote the construction and maintenance The Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC) of low- to moderate-income housing (owner occupied is a private not-for-profit organization established and rental); and support commercial and other
Public Safety and Code Enforcement - 43 complementary neighborhood development activities. Prevention (CHIP) was created in 1996 to serve as Information also is available at http://www.inhp.org. the primary information source and planning body CDCs exist in portions of the county and are not- for homeless issues. CHIP was responsible for leading for-profit organizations usually established by a community planning process to produce a ten-year concerned citizens who reside in a decaying or blighted strategy for ending homelessness in Indianapolis. The neighborhood. The purpose of the organizations is to resulting document, the Blueprint to End Homelessness, engage in development activities. was created (http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DMD/ Planning/Docs/Housing/blueprint.pdf). CHIP has been Irvington Health and Hospital also is responsible for environ designated to serve as the lead entity for Blueprint mental health throughout the county. Its Bureau of implementation. Additional information on Chip can be Environmental Health exists to protect public health found at http://www.chipindy.org. and addresses issues including neighborhood health, food safety, and air and water quality. As previously Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety mentioned, the health department’s Unsafe Building The Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains Program performs housing code enforcement- through public infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, a cooperative agreement with the city. To report unsafe sewers, bridges, and traffic systems. DPW also building, contact Health and Hospital at 327-2141 or manages municipal solid waste collection and disposal 221-2143 or visit its web site at http://www.hhcorp.org. and ensures a healthy, safe natural environment Irvington Congregations As Partners (ICAP) is an by monitoring the air, land, and water. Additional organization in Irvington that offers a homeless information is available at http://www.indy.gov/eGov/ prevention program in which participants sign a one- City/DPW/Pages/home.aspx. year contract agreeing to work with case managers In 2000, the City of Indianapolis created the Mayor’s and mentors (volunteers from eight churches) on skills Office of Disability Affairs (MODA) to promote such as budgeting, parenting skills, GED, or other a broader understanding and awareness of the necessary life skills. Potential participants are at risk Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), universal of being homeless, but living in a house or rental unit, access, and inclusion. MODA works with DPW and the not a shelter. ICAP combines case management services Department of Metropolitan Development to educate alongside volunteer mentoring to guide the participants staff and contractors on the requirements of the ADA toward achieving their goal of self-sufficiency, striving in the construction of curbs and sidewalks and new to provide long-term solutions to homelessness. Families development. Additional information is available at also are linked to job training, career guidance, and http://www.indy.gov/eGov/Mayor/Diversity/MACD/ educational resources. ICAP was formed in 1999 as Pages/Home.aspx. a three-year demonstration project in Irvington and Indy Greenways is a part of Indy Parks with the city’s east side. It now serves between 12 and 15 responsibility for trails and greenways (such as the families or individuals a year. proposed Pennsy Trail). The Metropolitan Planning The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Organization has the responsibility of conducting
44 - Public Safety and Code Enforcement a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive Public Safety and Code Enforcement transportation planning process. Long-range planning efforts include focus on pedestrian planning, rapid Projects and Programs transit, bicycle routes, and traffic studies. The Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee Parking recommended a series of projects and programs directed to helping improve the neighborhood. The projects and Much of the housing built in Irvington does not have programs listed have been edited from the original adequate space for parking of vehicles within the draft to be consistent with discussions in the four other property. This creates a demand for on-street parking Irvington committees. In many instances, a project or program on roads with narrow rights-of-way typical of denser was discussed in two, sometimes three committees. urban areas. If this was the case, an evaluation occurred as to There is a need to balance the residential on-street whether a particular project or program is appropriate parking, the need for effective traffic management, the to a specific committee. If a project or program is demands of parking in commercial areas, and a safe appropriate, can new information be added by another environment for bicycles and pedestrians. committee? The following projects and programs Aggressive Animals are listed by topic and reflect the discussion in the committee. The Animal Care & Control Division (ACCD) is part of the Department of Public Safety. ACCD works in Code Enforcement partnership with the community to address problems 1. Target landlords who do not comply with housing associated with pet over population, to promote codes. responsible pet ownership, and to enhance the health 2. Develop a lecture series and/or pamphlet and safety of the community. ACCD encourages the incorporating health and hospital, code enforcement, adoption of pets, enforces ordinances and laws regarding and animal control to better inform and educate the animal-related issues, and conducts inspections for community about residential code enforcement. the licensing of facilities that sell, groom, and kennel animals. Additional information regarding ACCD or 3. Facilitate the removal of any abandoned vehicles animal care resources can be found at http://www. from the neighborhood. indy.gov/egov/city/dps/accd/Pages/home.aspx. To report 4. Establish a code compliance committee with diverse aggressive animals, the Mayor’s Action Center can be Irvington representation that regularly meets reached at 327-4622 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To with City Code Compliance, the Warren Township report animals from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., please call Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison, and Health and 327-3811. Hospital Corporation inspectors to discuss code violations. 5. Conduct seasonal neighborhood cleanups, encourage ongoing clean efforts, and provide more waste
Public Safety and Code Enforcement - 45 containers in public places. to improve safety. 6. Encourage landlords to invest in the community 4. Improve safety along the Pleasant Run Trail and through involvement in neighborhood improvement proposed Pennsy Trail. projects and improving and maintaining their 5. Promote bicycle and roller blading safety throughout properties. Irvington. Crime Prevention 6. Determine a balance, perhaps with a study, between Irvington 1. Create a community impact panel for first time parking needs and safety on narrow streets. offenders related to crime and code enforcement. 7. Work with secondary schools, animal control, and 2. Encourage Irvington residents to immediately report IMPD to educate children on how to interact and broken windows, abandoned vehicles, etc. react to dangerous animals. 3. Develop Crime Watch blocks throughout the entire 8. Promote and emphasize various spay and neuter community with the assistance of IMPD and the programs. Department of Public Safety. 9. Create and maintain spaces that are attractive 4. Educate residents and businesses regarding crime for people to gather, and consequently, assist with prevention measures. reducing the negative perception of crime. Public Safety 10. Implement the YMCA National Safe Place Program (http://www.safeplaceservices.org) to provide safe 1. Determine ways to reduce or enforce traffic speeds in houses for children in need. school zones. 11. Promote the consolidation of the Indianapolis Police 2. Improve pedestrian protection from vehicular traffic Department and the Sheriff’s Department so that along the walking trail east of Arlington Avenue. Irvington is under the same department. 3. Eliminate vehicle parking too close to intersections 12. Investigate the possibility of adding police and horse patrols to the community.
46 - Public Safety and Code Enforcement Historic Irvington Setting Irvington was originally platted in 1870 as an independent suburban town but was annexed into Indianapolis in 1902. The original Irvington plat deviated from the city’s typical grid layout, and instead included a winding, picturesque street pattern that reflected the ideals of the Victorian Romantic landscape design era (its naturalistic plan is considered Irvington Indianapolis’ largest and most developed example of the Romantic landscape design). The area contains excellent examples of every major American architectural style from 1870-1950 (including Photo - Italianate, French Second Empire, Victorian Gothic, Irving Circle Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival), and (listed on the is perhaps best known for its fine collection of Arts & National Register Crafts architecture, including the only known example of Historic of a Gustav Stickley designed house in Indiana (the Places) Carlos and Anne Recker House). 1987 as the Irvington Historic District (see Map 5). The educational and cultural significance of Irvington is This area also has for many years been identified by the perhaps just as remarkable as its architecture it being Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission and its selected as the new site for North Western Christian staff as a significant historic area. The 2006 adoption of University, later renamed Butler. During its time in the historic area preservation plan is a very important Irvington, Butler helped promote the area’s college town step in bringing protection to the area’s historic atmosphere. Although most of the physical presence is resources in that it empowers IHPC to review all gone, its intellectual spirit is still reflected in the area’s petitions and/or permits for all properties and structures many associations and groups. according to the recommendations and guidelines of the As mentioned, the town also was the birthplace and historic area plan (which also are reflected in this plan: home to The Irvington Group. In the early 1900s this see Map 9 - Land Use Plan and Map 11 - Zoning Plan). group of artists lived, met, practiced, and exhibited art The local historic area is within the National Register in Irvington, and today many of their homes and studios Irvington Historic District (except for Pleasant Run and remain standing throughout the community. Ellenberger Park). The area of the original plat and the greatest extent Pleasant Run, Pleasant Run Parkway, Ellenberger of the incorporated town that retains continuity were Park, Ellenberger Parkway, Pleasant Run Golf Course, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in and Irving Circle are part of the Indianapolis Historic
Historic Irvington - 47 Park and Boulevard System, which was listed on the National Register in 2003. The North Irvington Gardens Historic District was listed on the National Register in 2008. Individual structures listed on the National Register are the following: the Benton House (operated by the Benton House Association, constructed c. 1890) at 312 South Downey Street, the Graham-Stephenson House (1889) at 5432 University Avenue, the Julian- Irvington Clarke House (1873) at 115 South Audubon Road, and the Carlos and Anne Recker House (1908) at 59 North Photo - The Benton Hawthorne Lane. House (listed The Warren Township Interim Report - Indiana Historic on the National Sites and Structures Inventory of 1993 identified Register of Historic Places) six additional districts in Irvington as potentially eligible for the National Register. These districts are the following: Pleasanton, Emerson Avenue Addition, In March, 2006, Irvington was designated a Preserve Irvington Terrace, Murdoch Addition, A.V. Brown’s America Neighborhood. As one of the first five such Ellenberger Park Addition, and Shearer’s Pleasant designations, Irvington is eligible to receive federal Run Plaza (Brown’s and Shearer’s are within the North support for a variety of activities related to heritage Irvington Gardens district; also see Map 5). tourism and innovative approaches to the use of historic The Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory properties as educational and economic assets. The also identified 35 structures in the “outstanding” Department of the Interior and the Advisory Council on building category in the Irvington neighborhood (see Historic Preservation are two of the Federal agencies Map 6). There were 25 residential structures, three partnering with the White House on Preserve America commercial structures, and seven special use structures initiatives. in Irvington that are considered outstanding examples of historic architecture.
48 - Historic Irvington Historic Irvington Committee Discussion Points Irvington is a distinctive community with mature The Historic Irvington Committee was comprised of trees, winding residential streets, and a variety of older citizens from a number of areas of the community. homes (most predating 1945). The Historic Irvington Meeting dates were March 25th, April 21st, and May Committee was charged with covering a broad range of 27th of 2004. In addition to the three meetings, the issues, some concrete, such as preservation of historic committee took into account information from the buildings. Others, not as defined, can be categorized as February 21st Irvington Town Hall meeting. community traditions, oral history, and conservation of Irvington Other sources of information include the Washington community related documents. Street Corridor Project and related documents, the The relevance of the past in relationship to community Pennsy Trail studies, the Ball State University study, pride and investment was a constant undercurrent of the Irvington Historic District National Register most discussions. Statements that reoccurred during nomination, the Historic Area Preservation Plan, the meetings of the Historic Irvington Committee, roughly Warren Township Interim Report - Indiana Historic in order of importance, were the following: Sites and Structures Inventory, and the neighborhood survey. • Support current and ongoing efforts to obtain local historic district status. Compile resources on At Historic Irvington Committee meetings, architecture, history, rehabilitation, restoration, participants were polled about their views on history and qualified contractors. Make the information and preservation, and consequently, these finding available to the public. were incorporated in this document. Many aspects of planning in Irvington revolve around the established, • Discover ways to link Washington Street in historic nature of the community. The Historic Irvington Irvington to downtown and other National Road Committee defined its focus around the following main neighborhoods and communities, including points: placement of official National Road signs, streetscape improvements, and other design 1. The role history should play in present day elements in Irvington. Irvington. • Nominate other areas surrounding Irvington to the 2. The important features of Irvington’s past that National Register of Historic Places. should be preserved. • Support the currently developing Washington Street 3. The significant features of Irvington’s architecture. streetscape project. 4. The way new development can be compatible with • Maintain the sustainability, as well as coordinate existing development. uses, of the Benton House, Bona Thompson Memorial Center, and other public historic resources in Irvington.
Historic Irvington - 49 NORTH IRVINGTON GARDENS HISTORIC DISTRICT
Pkwy A.V. BROWN’S SHEARER’S erger ELLENBERGER PARK ADDITION PLEASANT RUN Ellenb PLAZA Pleasant Run EMERSON Golf Course AVENUE Ellenberger Irvington ADDITION Park
PLEASANTON
IRVINGTON TERRACE Run Pkwy Carlos and Anne Pleasant Recker House
IRVINGTON HISTORIC DISTRICT Julian-Clarke House
Graham- Stephenson MURDOCH House ADDITION Map 5 - National Register of Historic Places Irving Benton Circle House National Register of Historic Places: Irvington National Register District Indianapolis Historic Park and Boulevard System Other National Register Properties
Areas Potentially Eligible for National Register IHPC Local Historic Area
50 - Historic Irvington Houses: 1 – 5438 E. Lowell Ave.; 1910 2 – 5317 E. Lowell Ave.; 1912 3 – 5255 Pleasant Run Pkwy. S. Dr.; c. 1923 4 – 5237 Pleasant Run Pkwy. S. Dr.; c. 1925 22 – 18 S. Arlington Ave.; c. 1910 23 – 215 S. Butler Ave.; c. 1910 25 – 317 S. Downey Ave.; c. 1920 26 – 322 S. Downey Ave.; c. 1910 27 – 366 S. Downey Ave.; c. 1895 Irvington 28 – 351 S. Ritter Ave.; 1880 29 – 5631 E. University Ave.; 1878; 3 1 Eudorus Johnson House 2 30 – 5802 E. University Ave.; c. 1900 33 32 – 28 N. Audubon Rd.; c. 1920 4 32 20 34 – 5802 Brookville Rd.; c. 1890 18 19 5 10 12 14 Apartments: 6 15 21 22 5 – 5226 E. Washington St.; 1927 8 9 13 16 17 6 – 5124 E. Washington St.; 1929 7 11 7 – 5143 E. Washington St.; 1927 35 9 – 5345 E. Washington St.; 1917 15 – 5613 E. Washington St.; 1924 31 16 – 5623 E. Washington St.; 1924 23 17 – 5703 E. Washington St.; 1915 29 30 18 – 5730 E. Washington St.; c. 1926 24 19 – 5752 E. Washington St.; c. 1924 25 20 – 5822 E. Washington St.; 1929 28 21 – 5901 E. Washington St.; 1926 26 Special Use: 27 8 – 5315 E. Washington St.; 1942; Our Lady of Lourdes Church 11 – 5439 E. Washington St.; 1903/1915; IPS 57 12 – 5434 E. Washington St.; 1928; Carr’s Hall (demolished) 14 – 5515 E. Washington St.; c. 1915; Masonic Lodge 34 24 – 222 S. Downey Ave.; 1904; Bona Thompson Memorial Library 33 – 30 N. Audubon Rd.; 1906/1940; Irvington United Methodist Church 35 – 55 S. Johnson Ave.; c. 1928; Irvington Presbyterian Church Map 6 - Additional Important Historic Structures (1993) Commercial: 10 – 5410 E. Washington St.; c. 1920 IHPC Local Historic Area 13 – 5501 E. Washington St.; c. 1915; Irving Theater 31 – 201-203 S. Audubon Rd.; c. 1890
Historic Irvington - 51 • Implement a neighborhood revolving fund to preserve houses that are in poor condition, or those that do not conform to zoning due to conversion to multiple family housing, or are otherwise threatened due to lack of maintenance. Meet with Old Northside and Woodruff Place residents to learn how such programs are developed. Irvington • Prevent the local historic district designation from effecting economic diversity in the neighborhood. Photo - Brick Welcome newer Hispanic/Latino merchants cottages along East 9th Street and residents as part of the continual cycle of (courtesy development of the community. of Irvington • Develop better awareness of Irvington through Historical signs, including gateway markers, a building plaque Society) program, and neighborhood signs such as those • Preserve infrastructure assets in Irvington, such as present in NESCO (Near East Side Community brick streets, the tradition of mature street trees, Organization). limestone curbs, and street name tiles. • Use a welcome wagon approach to raise awareness • Market the Irvington area and all its historic places of Irvington history, including historical information, and traditions. directories of community groups, and realtor • Ensure that community traditions are maintained. information. Traditions mentioned included topics as diverse • Make certain that contemporary development does as Irvington’s African-American legacy, various not take on a phony historic look, or “Disneyland” festivals, age diversity, ringing of church bells, appearance. variety of religious services, porch sitting, park use • Build ownership among Irvington residents in the by citizens, and “small town” feel of the community. neighborhood’s historic places and activities. Traditions involving neighbors help with safety • Develop elements designed to foster community issues. pride, such as offering waste containers in public • Initiate a new oral history project and an images places so the citizens can pick up trash, etc. while collection program through the Irvington Historical out on walks. Society.
52 - Historic Irvington • Preserve, Protect, and Sustain - Ensure the sustainment of the historic character, existing buildings, institutions, and preservation efforts in Irvington. Nominate neighborhoods surrounding Irvington for the National Register. Protect Irvington to the extent allowable by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission and designation on the National Register. Irvington Irvington’s historic public and not-for-profit institutions and traditional community events continue to be valued and supported by residents; Photo - including but not limited to the Benton House, Bona Rehabilitation of the Irving Thompson Center, Ellenberger Park, Irving Circle Theater Park, businesses, and the Marion County Children’s (courtesy Guardian Home. of Irvington Historical • Promote and Identify - Strengthen the community Society) economically, socially, and aesthetically. Promote Irvington’s historic character for residents and Summary of Discussion visitors by creating and/or installing signs, The Historic Irvington Committee discussions can be gateways, interpretation, media, and other summarized by four areas of focus. These goals are as promotion resources. follows: Historic Irvington Projects and • Remember - Raise awareness, maintain community traditions, and develop community pride. Compile Programs historic images and oral histories of Irvington. The Historic Irvington Committee discussed issues, An Irvington community is envisioned where reviewed data, and recommended projects and programs information, images, and stories of the past in all its that can help improve the neighborhood. Those listed diversity is celebrated. A community where items here have been edited from the original draft to be are readily accessible in various media forms, and consistent with discussions in all of the committees. the actual artifacts gathered in a single place. Also, in many instances, a project or program was • Educate - Raise awareness, provide for community discussed in two, sometimes three committees. If this identity, and ensure that both residents and non- was the case, an evaluation occurred as to whether the residents are familiar with community history and particular project or program is appropriate to a specific tradition. Provide residents with information on local committee and if additional information can be added and national historic designations. by another committee. The projects and programs are listed by topic and reflect the committee’s discussion.
Historic Irvington - 53 Remember resources, data needs, and how to meet such needs. 1. Promote better marketing of Irvington history by 3. Assist City of Indianapolis officials in seeking funds considering web-based audio and data, virtual to repair and restore Irvington’s brick streets. history, and a preservation library. 4. Support the rehabilitation of the Irving Theater (to 2. Develop a regular column devoted to Irvington’s its original look after a building addition in 1927) history for insertion in neighborhood media outlets, by assisting its owners in grant writing and finding including web sites and newspapers. resources. Irvington 3. Revitalize the Irvington Historical Society’s oral 5. Assist City of Indianapolis officials to fund the history program. replacement or repair of street name tiles that are 4. Assist the Irvington Historical Society in its ongoing consistent with Irvington’s historic character. collection of historic images, papers, and artifacts by 6. Implement a neighborhood revolving loan program utilizing volunteers and other resources. to preserve threatened structures. 5. Form a community committee to consider beautifica 7. Recommend compatible new uses in vacant, tion, preservation, and efforts at preserving history. commercial historic buildings. Educate 8. Coordinate fund raising efforts between existing heritage sites and organizations by submitting 1. Publicize the benefits of the Indiana register and the joint funding requests. This may include the National Register to home owners and businesses in Benton House, Bona Thompson Memorial Center, appropriate areas, individual sites, and surrounding commercial areas, Irving Circle Park, Irvington’s neighborhoods; and coordinate efforts if appropriate. George Kessler-designed places, the Marion County 2. Produce more preservation education and greater Children’s Guardian Home, and other public or not- community identity by developing newspaper for-profit institutions. columns, new or updated web sites, and producing a 9. Create incentives for commercial facade neighborhood walking tour. improvements. 3. Coordinate the development of the community 10. Identify threatened structures or important targets planning process with city officials. and develop strategies for preservation. Preserve, Protect, and Sustain 11. List the Masonic Lodge and the Irving Theater on 1. Develop architectural design standards for the local the National Register of Historic Places. historic area. Promote and Identify 2. Assist the Indianapolis Historic Preservation 1. Sustain community pride by exploring the Commission in the implementation of the local development and implementation of a welcome historic area by working with IHPC staff and wagon type program. other City of Indianapolis officials to identify staff
54 - Historic Irvington 2. Link the Irvington community to the Indiana Additional Information National Road Association by coordinating the The following groups were identified as history installation of signs along Washington Street. stakeholders in Irvington: 3. Develop a building plaque program for Irvington. • Benton House Association 4. Pursue the installation of markers through the • Guardian Home Guild Indiana Historical Bureau to identify existing or lost • Historic Irvington Community Council sites and buildings. • Irvington Garden Club 5. Promote benefits of historic designation (local) in Irvington • Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation (owners the commercial areas of Irvington and coordinate of Benton House and Kile Oak) with improvement projects, such as the Washington Street Corridor Project. • Irvington Historical Society • Par-10 Neighborhood Crime Watch (representing 6. Promote the significance of School 57’s architectural Irvington north of Parkway) design. • All American Road (Federal) - for the portion of Implementing Agencies the National Road/Washington Street corridor in The Historic Irvington Committee identified possible Irvington partners for the implementation of projects. For • Hoosier Millennium (State of Indiana) - Irvington/ example, the City of Indianapolis (Department of Bona Thompson Memorial Center Public Works), the Irvington Historical Society, and • Indiana Historical Bureau Plaque Program - Marker the Historic Irvington Community Council could work at Washington and Emerson, Marker at Irvington together on a Transportation Enhancement grant for Presbyterian Church the restoration of brick streets. • Neighborhood Preservation Award (Historic The Historic Irvington Committee should ensure in Landmarks Foundation of Indiana) - Irvington annual meetings that at least one strategy per year, per (1996), Bona Thompson Memorial Center (2002) category, is implemented. The priority of the goals may • National Register of Historic Places/Indiana change with time. For example, implementation of the Register of Historic Sites and Structures (Federal/ Washington Street Corridor project may include signs State of Indiana) - Irvington Historic District, for the National Road corridor. North Irvington Gardens Historic District, Graham- The Historic Irvington Committee could adjust its Stephenson House, Julian-Clarke House approach each year. For long term sustainability of the • Preserve America (Federal) - Irvington committee, the committee suggests that each year, one • Save America’s Treasures (Federal) - Bona Irvington not-for-profit group identified or interested in Thompson Memorial Center working on the plan, take charge of the strategy for that year.
Historic Irvington - 55 Community Workshop As a component of the Irvington neighborhood planning process, Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning Indianapolis Center hosted a single day community workshop on February 26, 2005 to develop visions for components of the neighborhood plan. The Irvington following summarizes the results of the workshop. Creating Greenway Amenities Buildings serving the proposed Pennsy Trail should be pedestrian-oriented while still accommodating the automobile. Direct trail access, awnings, storefront Drawing at far right - Sketch windows, rooftop gardens, and outdoor cafes are all of a possible design elements that would create an inviting and lively greenway atmosphere along the trail. amenity
Drawing at right - Sketch of a possible commercial greenway amenity
56 - Community Workshop Celebrating the Historic Fabric Public Art Creates Functional Identity The Pennsylvania Railroad corridor was once the center There is growing interest in public art in Indianapolis. of commercial activity in Irvington and several buildings Public art can be more than sculpture, as shown in remain today. These historic structures, unlike anything the illustration below where objects as mundane as else along the proposed trail route, should form the light poles and bus shelters become pieces of art in anchor of the trail head in Irvington. themselves. Such elements can add excitement and uniqueness and fit into their historic context without mimicking it. Other elements such as traffic lights, Irvington utility boxes, manhole covers, and other “everyday” street objects also can help tell the Irvington story.
Drawing at left - Sketch of possible public art at a bus stop
Drawing at far left - Sketch of a possible commercial building along the Pennsy corridor
Community Workshop - 57 Quality Public Places One of Irvington’s greatest assets is its friendly residents and community oriented atmosphere. Perhaps nothing can showcase these assets as well as great public places. Places for families to visit, residents to take pride in, and visitors to relax in the welcoming neighborhood. The sketch below illustrates a possible Irvington enhancement along the proposed the Pennsy Trail. It is important not to forget that the most important public place is the street. Street rights-of-way usually account for 20 to 25% of the land area in urban neighborhoods and treating them as “places” can completely transform an entire neighborhood.
Drawing at right - Sketch of a possible improved public space
Drawing at top right - Example of possible gateway elements spanning a street
Drawing at bottom right Gateways that Belong - Example Irvington recently was identified by the Mayor’s of possible gateway Gateways Program as a potential location for a gateway elements element, and the neighborhood plan also indicates this need. Gateways define boundaries and can be single objects (such as a welcome sign), multiple objects (such as a series of banners), or linear objects (such as a comprehensive streetscape development). The illustrations above show traditional designs that could be part of a formal gateway.
58 - Community Workshop Irvington
WASHINGTON ST WASHINGTON ST
WASHINGTON ST
PENNSY TRAIL PENNSY TRAIL PENNSY TRAIL
Transforming Irvington Plaza Irvington Plaza was one of the earliest auto-oriented retail developments in the city and has remained substantially unchanged. While Irvington was originally developed as an early suburb of Indianapolis, Irvington Plaza today does not connect with what is considered an urban neighborhood. It does provide essential services for the neighborhood and presents a great opportunity for redevelopment. The above three map sketches represent different student approaches to redeveloping Irvington Plaza, ranging from improving landscaping in the parking lots to complete renovation. Common themes among all three sketches include connections to the proposed Pennsy Trail, improved integration of public transit, visually improving the parking lots with medians and extensive landscaping, and reinforcing the edge of Washington Street.
Community Workshop - 59 Community Priorities - 1. Support the Washington Street Implementation Strategy Corridor Project as a Catalyst for Economic Revitalization of the Irvington is a dynamic community of almost 12,000 Corridor and Throughout Irvington people on the east side of Indianapolis. Platted in 1870, Irvington has tree lined winding avenues with Irvington is one of the few communities in Indianapolis sidewalks, beautiful homes, an historic commercial with a historic commercial area at its core. Centered Irvington center, well planned public buildings, a thriving arts on Washington Street, businesses here have seen and cultural community, an historic park and parkway improvements but also some deterioration over the system, strong schools, safe streets, the largest historic years. district in Indianapolis, and residents committed to the Irvington residents desire that this area improve to offer improvement of their neighborhood. the types of neighborhood goods and services to which Irvington has a number of active civic organizations, they will walk and shop. Washington Street is the first such as the Historic Irvington Community Council, and most lasting impression that many people have of Irvington Garden Club, Irvington Guild of Artists, the neighborhood, so the area needs to be strengthened Irvington Historical Society, Irvington Historic and improved. Washington Street should serve as Landmarks Foundation, Benton House Association, the social, cultural, and business heart of Irvington, Irvington Development Organization, and Friends of representing and respecting the neighborhood’s rich Irving Circle that work together on various community heritage and bright future. projects for the good of the neighborhood. In response The Washington Street Corridor Project is viewed as to the neighborhood survey, Irvington residents listed an important revitalization effort along the Irvington “community, people, and neighbors” as being what they commercial corridor. Elements of the corridor project liked most about the neighborhood. address future site development and architectural The five topical committees developed 191 recommended design guidelines in order to improve neighborhood projects and programs. In the Fall of 2004, 53 aesthetics and create a more pedestrian friendly community stakeholders reviewed these projects and environment. programs and ranked their importance on a scale of 1 The projects or programs that support this strategy to 5. What follows are 10 strategies to provide a quality include: environment for Irvington based on the top 60 ranked • Increase the support by Irvington residents for projects and programs. They are shown in order of local businesses by attracting a quality bookstore priority. These strategies are the result of all of the (possibly half price), video store, flower shop, arts- preceding activities and the input from over 500 people oriented businesses, cafes, restaurants, dry cleaner, in the Irvington community. grocery, and expanding the farmer’s market. • Attract new tenants to Washington Street. • Create incentives for commercial facade improvements.
60 - Community Priorities - Implementation Strategy • Continue landscaping to the west on Washington areas included in the Irvington Historic District and the Street, including pedestrian walkways, traffic- North Irvington Gardens Historic District, there also calmers, and creating a human scale environment. are four additional neighborhood areas that are eligible • Improve aesthetics on Washington Street, including for the National Register. the relocation or other treatment of power lines. The projects or programs that support this strategy • Explore obtaining Main Street Community status. include: • Create a pedestrian scale, a safe environment, • Recommend compatible new uses in vacant historic sculptures, and murals for Irvington residents in buildings. Irvington regards to the Washington Street Corridor Project. • Promote the advantages of historic district and • Assemble and identify parcels along Washington benefits of facade improvements to commercial Street with the exclusive purpose for future property owners. development. • Support and enhance the Bona Thompson Memorial • Advertise the neighborhood plan to business owners. Center as Irvington’s cultural center. • Either form an organization or have existing • Support and sustain the Benton House. organizations help develop an inventory of vacant • Identify threatened structures or important targets property and assemble properties for future and develop strategies for preservation. development. • Use the Irving Theater as a cultural center, a visual • Create a definitive idea of how a Gateway should and gallery art display, a home for an existing civic appear in Irvington and locate definite sites for theater, a concession/food stand, other not-for-profit proposed Gateways. uses, and apartments in conjunction with grant 2. Work to Prepare the Irvington writing of the Irving Theater Foundation. Historic District Plan and Preserve • List A.V. Brown’s Ellenberger Park Addition Irvington’s Past Historic District, Emerson Avenue Addition Historic District, Irvington Terrace Addition Historic The Irvington area has for many years been identified District, Murdoch Addition Historic District, by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission Pleasanton Historic District, and Shearer’s Pleasant and its staff as an area of local historic significance. The Run Plaza Historic District, as well as other notable 2006 adoption of the historic area preservation plan is a individual landmarks such as the Masonic Lodge very important step in bringing protection to the area’s and the Irving Theater on the National Register. historic resources. • Assist the Irving Theater Foundation once federal According to the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures not-for-profit status is obtained in assessing the Inventory, Irvington has 14 houses, 11 apartment rehabilitation cost and obtaining a fiscal agent whom buildings, seven special use buildings, and three can help buy the Irving Theater, the main problem commercial buildings that are considered outstanding to renovation. examples of historic architecture. In addition to the
Community Priorities - Implementation Strategy - 61 • Pursue zero set back zoning in select places to • Conduct seasonal neighborhood cleanups, encourage preserve older structures. ongoing clean efforts, and provide more waste • Enhance a portion of Irvington’s history by containers in public places. rehabilitating the Irving Theater to its original look • Facilitate the removal of any abandoned vehicles after a building addition in 1927. from the neighborhood. • Develop architectural design standards and promote • Encourage Irvington residents to immediately report benefits of historic designation for the commercial broken windows, abandoned vehicles, etc. Irvington areas of Irvington, and coordinate with improvement • Seek local ownership of property. projects, such as the Washington Street Corridor • Establish a code compliance committee with diverse Project. Irvington representation that regularly meets 3. Create Better Building and with City Code Compliance, the Warren Township Property Conditions Throughout Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison, and Health and the Neighborhood Hospital Corporation inspectors to discuss code violations. Over one third of buildings in the Irvington single- family and light industrial land use categories were 4. Continue to Protect and Improve ranked excellent in a recent field survey of property Irvington’s Parks and Open Spaces conditions. The highest percent of Irvington buildings Irvington’s park-like atmosphere, with its many trees in need of repairs is in the category of residential rental and landscaped open spaces gives the neighborhood a properties. very positive residential image. Assets are Ellenberger Irvington residents would like to help monitor Park, Pleasant Run Parkway, Ellenberger Parkway, property conditions by establishing an Irvington Code Pleasant Run Golf Course, Irving Circle, the Kile Oak, Compliance Committee that meets regularly with City Hilton Brown Corner, Kin Hubbard Memorial, Laura’s Code Compliance and Health and Hospital inspectors. Community Garden, Pleasant Run, and the Pocket Park In addition, information on existing codes and code at 28 South Webster Avenue. violations should be made available to residents, In addition, the proposed Pennsy Trail can become businesses, and property owners. a community asset. The Irvington Garden Club has The projects or programs that support this strategy promoted beautification throughout Irvington, and once include: the Washington Street Corridor Project is implemented, Washington Street will have a number of public gardens • Target landlords who do not comply with housing and places of respite to maintain. To protect all assets, codes. constant maintenance of parks and open spaces is • Encourage landlords to invest in the community essential. through involvement in neighborhood improvement projects and improving and maintaining their The projects or programs that support this strategy properties. include:
62 - Community Priorities - Implementation Strategy • Support the agreement between Indy Parks and the • Establish a committee or other means of ongoing Friends of Irving Circle that facilitates preservation dialogue with DPW regarding projects, particularly and maintenance of Irving Circle. along Washington Street, and coordinate annual • Enhance the park concert series and other cultural work to support future development projects, such as offerings. the Washington Corridor Streetscape Project. • Ensure that periodic maintenance is done to the Kile • Monitor and participate in the city’s Pedestrian Plan Oak and its site. and Rapid Transit Plan. • Replace the existing portable rest rooms in • Replace or repair street name tiles that are Irvington Ellenberger Park with permanent rest room consistent with Irvington’s historic character. facilities as part of a combination picnic shelter/rest • Encourage participation in the pedestrian/bicycle room. plan for Warren Township. • Enhance the appearance of Arlington Avenue with 6. Enhance Public Safety and landscaping improvements. Improve the Perception of Safety • Maintain the banks of Pleasant Run with erosion Throughout Irvington control and elimination of non-native plants. Public safety statistics and the recent survey of • Investigate the feasibility of employing natural residents support the notion that Irvington is a safe cleaning techniques, such as the use of wetlands, neighborhood. Even so, there are security issues that to improve water quality, especially along Pleasant follow from living in an urban community, and these Run. issues would benefit from more community involvement. • Pursue long term maintenance strategies for developed public spaces with city and park officials. The projects or programs that support this strategy include: 5. Continue to Repair and Improve • Develop Crime Watch blocks throughout the entire Irvington’s Infrastructure community with the assistance of IMPD and the Some sidewalks and streets in the neighborhood are Department of Public Safety. in need of repair. There are heavily traveled areas • Educate residents and businesses regarding crime without sidewalks that would benefit from sidewalk prevention measures. construction. In addition, there have been some • Create and maintain spaces that are attractive sidewalk improvements done in the past that have not for people to gather and consequently assist with been sensitive to Irvington’s historic setting. reducing the negative perception of crime. The projects or programs that support this strategy • Investigate the possibility of adding police and horse include: patrols to the community. • Develop an inventory of sidewalks and streets • Develop strategies to enhance security in key needing repair. commercial areas.
Community Priorities - Implementation Strategy - 63 7. Improve Irvington Plaza to Better in the community. The proposed 5.5 mile Pennsy would Serve and Fit the Neighborhood connect with the existing Pleasant Run Trail and the planned Cumberland Pennsy Trail (in Hancock County). Irvington Plaza is the location of a major grocery store The trail utilizes the abandoned Pennsylvania Central that needs improvement to serve the needs of the rail corridor that is parallel to East Washington Street. neighborhood. The buildings in the center sit far back from the street and have little visual or pedestrian As the Pennsy Trail is developed, it will be an important connection to Washington Street and the rest of the to emphasize the fact that remnants of the earliest Irvington community. Irvington businesses remain on Audubon Road near the Pennsy rights-of-way. The proposed Pennsy Trail is Irvington Plaza has not had major reinvestment since it presently in the design and acquisition stage. was first built in the early 1960s. Complicating matters is the sale of regional grocer Marsh Supermarkets in The Pennsy not only has the potential to add 2006 significantly to Irvington’s recreation offerings and stimulate trail-related economic development, but The projects or programs that support this strategy also can become a revitalization catalyst for properties include: nearby the trail. Funding is available for trail • Build relationships with Marsh and other development. neighboring businesses to work as partners in the The projects or programs that support this strategy redevelopment of the area. include: • Devise development tools that will assist in the attraction of new retail businesses within Irvington • Include neighborhood representation on the Pennsy Plaza and develop a long term plan to redevelop Trail development team. the area as a major retail corridor, serving the • Construct the Pennsy Trail to connect to other neighborhood and improving commercial options on greenways and a necessary feature of a cultural East Washington Street. district. • Draft a resolution through the Historic Irvington • Acquire the Batts Construction parcels and Community Council to encourage the renovation of appropriate right-of-way to develop the Pennsy Marsh and redevelopment of Irvington Plaza. Trail. • Focus business expansion in Irvington Plaza and • Encourage the Irvington Development Organization link new development to the Pennsy Trail. to apply for transportation enhancement funds for 8. Seek Development of the Pennsy the improvement of the Pennsy Trail for pedestrian purposes. Corridor as a Trail and Future • Have thriving mixed use areas (residential/ Transit Way commercial) at the Audubon/Pennsy depot and the The Pennsy Trail can offer important opportunities for historic Washington corridor. recreation, transportation, and economic development
64 - Community Priorities - Implementation Strategy 9. Market Irvington to Indianapolis 10. Re-Establish Irvington as an Artist and Regional Communities as a Community with Diverse Art and Good Place to Live, Work, and Shop Cultural Offerings The Irvington community is currently supporting a Irvington is traditionally known for its arts community. few unique and longtime businesses. Based on 1999 Still, there is a need to actively promote arts in the statistics, Irvington has a household income density of community and market cultural and art events widely $157,628, which is more than double the Marion County throughout the city. In addition, residents would like to figure of $75,931. Irvington residents want to get the see development of art galleries and more retail outlets Irvington word out to retailers and investors that Irvington and venues for Irvington artists and incorporate public is capable of supporting a larger and more diverse art into future neighborhood improvements. shopping and business area. The projects or programs that support this strategy The projects or programs that support this strategy include: include: • Ensure the future of Luminaria, Benton House • Develop package of information for commercial Home Tour, Ice Cream Social, Halloween Festival, realtors that would be a portfolio of Irvington assets. and the Gathering of Artists as community • Construct more and visible Town markers at the traditions. boundaries of the Irvington neighborhood. • Advocate that all Irvington organizations provide • Develop a relationship with the Metropolitan a web link to the Historic Irvington Community Indianapolis Board of Realtors with the purpose of Council web site to improve event coordination and providing realtors with information regarding the promotion. historic and positive aspects of Irvington. • Develop a yearly calendar of community and cultural • Develop a program that assists small business events, and promote neighborhood events to citywide owners in marketing. audiences. • Incorporate enhanced cultural/art offerings in future development plans. • Become a cultural district, with support from the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission.
Community Priorities - Implementation Strategy - 65 Land Use and Zoning After the Irvington Neighborhood Plan is adopted, affected governmental units will use the plan to help The Irvington Neighborhood Plan focuses on the further develop their own responsibilities and activities community’s desirable and appropriate physical such as the following: development. This can be defined, in part, as the proper • The authorization, acceptance, or construction of location of residential and public and institutional water mains, sewers, connections, facilities, or facilities, the space needs of employers and businesses, utilities; the safe delivery of goods and services, adequate • The authorization, construction, alteration, or Irvington utilities, and the protection of natural resources. abandonment of public ways, public places, public The purpose of land use and zoning discussions is two lands, public structures, or public utilities; and fold: • The adoption, amendment, or repeal of zoning • To describe the land use plan and the zoning plan ordinances, including zoning maps and planned unit as a culmination of the overall Irvington planning district ordinances, subdivision control ordinances, process and overall land use and zoning trends. historic preservation ordinances, and other land use • To communicate the desired direction of future ordinances. development in the community to the Metropolitan Before recommendations were developed, two necessary Development Commission and property owners and considerations were derived from Indiana Code 36-7- developers. This does not mean land owners’ existing 4-500 (the legislation that allows local governments to property rights are automatically restricted. develop comprehensive plans): • The rights of individual property owners under existing law; and • The protection of the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Photo - A Meeting of the Economic Development Committee
66 - Land Use and Zoning Land Use Ball State students conducted the 2004 survey of the neighborhood’s land use and building conditions. Thirteen categories of land use were used to classify different intensities of developed and undeveloped land as displayed in Figure 5 and Map 7. Irvington Figure 5 2004 Existing Land Use Irvington Neighborhood Land Use Parcels Acres Area % Single Family Residential 4,059 762.3 46.1 Two Family Residential (Duplex) 285 49.8 3.0
Apartment Residential 62 18.9 1.1 Photo - Commercial Office 41 10.6 0.7 Irvington Library Commercial Retail and Service 155 65.2 3.9 Mixed Use 7 1.2 0.1 Light Industrial 85 97.1 5.9 Special Use 42 49.0 3.0 Park and Open Space 20 166.1 10.0 Side Yard 388 50.1 3.0 Parking 118 25.4 1.5 Vacant 57 30.6 1.9 Miscellaneous - Street, Railroad, and Stream - 328.3 19.8 Total 5,319 1,654.6 100.0 Source: Ball State University
Land Use and Zoning - 67 The survey shows single family residential to be the Industrial land (5.9% of the total area) is concentrated largest single category comprising 46.1% of the area, in the southeastern portion of the area adjacent to and combined with duplexes and apartments comprising the Ford/Visteon plant with additional industrial off 50.2% of the neighborhood. Single family homes are Brookville. Industrial businesses are very important to the cornerstone and glue that hold the neighborhood the neighborhood providing higher paying jobs for some together. Important also are the multiple family residents of Irvington. communities (1.1% of total area) including several Parks and open space comprise 10% of the total area. Irvington apartment complexes scattered along or within easy These lands are an important asset not only by the walking distance of Washington Street. value; but by the sheer abundance of land devoted to Commercial development (4.6% of the total area) exists parks and open space in the neighborhood (see the along most of Washington Street (with Irvington Plaza section on Parks and Open Space). in the 6300 block of Washington a major concentration) Vacant land (1.90% of the total area) is primarily serving neighborhood residents as well as the larger located south of the railroad. community. Minor concentrations are found at Audubon Photo and Bonna (along the former rail line - the traditional at far right - commercial center of Irvington), 10th and Emerson, View along Michigan and Emerson, 10th and Arlington, and Ritter Washington Street just north of Brookville. Brookville also has commercial scattered along most of its length along the southern border of the neighborhood, much of it relating to area industrial plants and the larger community.
Photo at right - Ellenberger Park
68 - Land Use and Zoning Land Use Definitions • Certain special uses such as nursing homes and day care centers. The following text describes typical land uses. For clarification, a “dwelling unit” is defined as a house, • Educational services such as business, technical, and apartment, mobile home or trailer, a group of rooms, secretarial schools. or a single room occupied as separate living quarters 5. COMMERCIAL RETAIL AND SERVICE or; if vacant, intended for occupancy as separate living Retail and service businesses in Irvington include quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which neighborhood oriented, smaller scale stores and shops; the occupants live and eat separately from any other larger size community and regional uses that may be in Irvington persons in the building and that have direct access from major groupings or shopping centers and that attract outside the building or through a common hall. high traffic volumes from throughout the metropolitan 1. SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL area; and what can be referred to as general or high Typically under 5 dwelling units per acre, however, intensity commercial uses that have significant outdoor there also are lower density single family areas along operations, displays, and storage and possibly generate Pleasant Run between Ritter and Arlington and east of more truck traffic. Larger scale commercial uses usually Pleasant Run Parkway between Perry and 10th Street. are not compatible with residential areas; some general or high intensity commercial uses are not compatible Irvington also contains the mobile home park on with other commercial uses. In Irvington most of the Brookville Road, which is predominately single family, general or high intensity commercial uses are located but because of the smaller lot sizes is at a density of along the railroad and Brookville Road. approximately 10 units per acre. • Retail businesses such as art galleries, antique 2. TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (DUPLEX) stores, grocery stores, apparel and accessory Typically 5 to 8 dwelling units per acre. Two family stores, artist and architect supply stores, book dwellings. stores, camera supply stores and photo developing 3. APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL businesses, florists, bakeries, pharmacies, card and stationery stores, hardware stores, jewelry stores, Typically 8 to 15 dwelling units per acre. Multiple pet shops, framing services, music stores, and family dwellings, typically two stories in height automobile sales. although there are a number of higher density • Personal, professional, and business services such apartments in the vicinity of Washington Street as barber and beauty shops, dry cleaners, and shoe primarily in the local historic area. repair businesses. 4. COMMERCIAL OFFICE • Repair services such as jewelry, watch and clock • Office uses such as architectural, law, and repair; key duplicating, typewriter repair, shoe and accounting; advertising, public relations, and camera repair, and automotive body repair and employment agencies; banking and insurance offices; paint. and medical and dental facilities. • Restaurants and taverns with restrictions.
Land Use and Zoning - 69 6. MIXED USE • Power substations. Buildings typically two or three stories in some • Switching stations. commercial areas with the first floor developed in • Not-for-profit agencies. commercial retail or service uses and upper floor(s) • Nursing homes. devoted to office or residential. These presently occur • Hospitals. in only a few instances along Washington Street and • Union halls. at the commercial center at Audubon and Bonna, Irvington however, the historic area preservation plan and • Cemeteries. subsequently the Land Use Plan and the Zoning Plan 9. PARK AND OPEN SPACE recommend more of this development character in these Parks and open spaces are areas for recreation or areas two commercial areas (see Maps 9 and 11). The C3C accessible to the general public. Some examples include: Corridor Commercial Zoning District permits mixed use development. • Public parks. • Linear Parks - open space corridors and greenways 7. LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (such as the Ellenberger and Pleasant Run Industries that usually do not create objectionable Parkways). characteristics that extend beyond their property lines. • Civic open spaces. Light industry can consist of assembly operations of • Conservation areas. premanufactured parts or components; and assembly, repair, or manufacturing of small component parts of 10. SIDE YARD products. Some examples are: Typically side yards of single family residential. Side • Jewelry manufacturing and engraving. yards were inventoried in the existing land use table but • Warehousing. were combined in the existing land use map with their predominant uses. • Construction companies. • Upholstering. 11. PARKING • Paper box and paper products manufacturing from Vehicle parking structures and surface lots separate finished paper. from adjacent land uses. • Manufacturing of optical goods. 12. VACANT 8. SPECIAL USE No structure or land use present. Special uses include activities that have public or 13. MISCELLANEOUS - STREET, RAILROAD, AND institutional purposes or ownership. Some examples are STREAM the following: Public ways, public rights-of-way, and natural • Churches and Schools. waterways. • Government offices and facilities.
70 - Land Use and Zoning Irvington
Map 7 - Existing Land Use
Single Family Residential Two Family Residential Apartment Residential Commercial Office Commercial Retail and Service Mixed Use Light Industrial Special Use Library Cemetery Park and Open Space Linear Park Parking Vacant IHPC Local Historic Area
Land Use and Zoning - 71 Building Conditions Survey • Dilapidated - The building needs extensive The 2004 survey as mentioned also inventoried structural repairs, has suffered major fire damage, building conditions. Primary buildings (such as houses, or is uninhabitable: exterior walls - leaning or apartment buildings, stores, churches, factory buildings, bulging, large holes, rotting and missing material; etc. but not secondary buildings such as garages and foundation - uneven, settlement, sinking, large small sheds on house lots) were categorized as described cracks, missing bricks, large holes, out of plumb; in the following: roof: - extreme sagging, warping, rotting material, large holes; windows, sashes, door frames - broken Irvington • Excellent - The building is in sound condition and or missing glass, boarded windows, rotten or rusted does not need any paint or repairs. materials, distorted frames, doors or windows • Superficial Repairs - The building needs normal missing; chimney - leaning, missing bricks, missing maintenance painting or repairs: exterior walls or collapsed portions, missing mortar; gutters and - peeling paint on less than 50 percent of the downspouts - rusted or rotted material, holes, structure; windows, sashes, and door frames sagging, missing sections or completely absent; - missing storm inserts, missing or torn screens; porch - rails or banisters missing, floor collapsed, gutters and downspouts - rusty, peeling paint, separation (pulling away) from main structure, missing sections. missing sections. • Minor Rehabilitation - The building needs painting Overall, building conditions are good with or repairs beyond normal maintenance but does approximately 99% of buildings being in the categories not need repairs of a structural nature: exterior of excellent, superficial repairs needed, or minor walls - peeling paint on more than 50 percent of the rehabilitation needed. Only approximately one percent structure; foundation - small cracks (hairline); roof of buildings need structural repair or demolition. - loose or missing shingles, obvious wear; windows, sashes, door frames - cracked glass, missing storm inserts; chimney - small cracks; gutters and downspouts - rusty, peeling paint, dents, missing sections or completely absent; porch - small cracks. • Major Rehabilitation - The building needs structural repairs as well as possibly other minor repairs: exterior walls - leaning, extensive rotting material, loose masonry; foundation - settling, crumbling, loose masonry; roof - sagging, rotting material; windows, sashes, door frames - doors or windows missing; chimney - leaning; gutters and downspouts - rusted or rotted material, missing sections or completely absent; porch -rails or banisters missing, separation (pulling away) from main structure.
72 - Land Use and Zoning Irvington
Map 8 - Building Conditions
Excellent Superficial Repairs Needed Minor Rehabilitation Needed Major Rehabilitation Needed Dilapidated IHPC Local Historic Area
Land Use and Zoning - 73 Land Use Plan zoning. The preceding issues are characteristics of the The Land Use Plan for Irvington develops recommen Irvington neighborhood and were noted at the time dations for land use that address concerns of residents recommendations were developed. However, some issues and property owners in the neighborhood. Designation are area-wide and worth noting. These other factors in of recommended land uses does not mean the land Irvington are the following: will revert to that use, rather it will serve as a guide • The strong sense of community and commitment for future development when petitions are filed. When many property owners and residents have for Irvington rezoning and variance petitions are being considered, Irvington that can and has translated into many information from the Land Use Plan and Zoning Plan improvements to the neighborhood. can be used to convey the neighborhood’s preference for • The wealth of historically and architecturally a particular site. significant properties, and neighborhood interest The Comprehensive Plan for Marion County serves in them, that also have helped bring about as a general guide for decision makers concerned neighborhood improvements. with the physical development of the county. The • The abundance of neighborhood institutions and Comprehensive Plan also provides a framework for their continued commitment to the area. detailed physical development plans, such as the • Washington Street’s uniqueness on the east side of Irvington Neighborhood Plan. The policies identified the city as a traditional town center and its potential in the Warren Township portion of the Marion County to attract additional visitors and customers to the Comprehensive Plan were applied to this section of area. the Irvington Neighborhood Plan. The Land Use Plan • The potentials for spin-off development along also incorporates the recommendations of the Irvington existing and proposed greenways. Historic Area Plan adopted in 2006 by the Indianapolis Residential areas are recommended to be protected from Historic Preservation Commission and the Metropolitan the encroachment of land uses that are detrimental to Development Commission. the character of the neighborhood. Special attention was Land Use Recommendations given to areas where industrial and commercial uses are Recommendations for future development address adjacent to residential areas. Commercial encroachment environmental concerns, development on vacant sites, into residential areas adjacent to Washington Street is a reuse of vacant buildings, and areas in transition continuing concern. from one land use to another land use. An effort was Parks and open space also were given attention. Land made to buffer incompatible land uses. The categories recommended as parks and open space helps reduce the of recommended land uses are consistent with the impacts of industrial and commercial land on sensitive categories of existing land uses (see descriptions under areas and increases land devoted to linear parks. Land Use Definitions). Appropriately, industrial and commercial areas are Certainly, the data gathering and analysis produced recommended to be concentrated along high volume very important issues that influence land use and roads or accessible to nearby interstates and railroad.
74 - Land Use and Zoning Irvington
Map 9 - Land Use Plan
ZONING PLAN - LAND USE PLAN - LOCAL HISTORIC AREA REMAINDER OF IRVINGTON IHPC Local Historic Area 0-1.75 Dwelling Units/Acre Dwelling District D4 1.75-3.5 Dwelling Units/Acre Dwelling District D5 3.5-5 Dwelling Units/Acre Dwelling District D5 Mobile Home Park or PK1 Park District 8-15 Dwelling Units/Acre Dwelling District D6 Commercial Office Dwelling District D8 Community Commercial DP Dwelling District DP Retail and Service Commercial Office District C1 Light Industrial Commercial Office-Apartment Special Use District C2 Cemetery Corridor Commercial District C3C Park and Open Space Corridor Commercial District C3C Linear Park or Dwelling District D5 Corridor Commercial District C3C or Dwelling District D8 Greenway SU1 Church - SU1 SU2 School - SU2 SU9 Government - SU9 Cemetery - SU10 Library - SU37 Park District - PK1 Linear Park - PK1
Land Use and Zoning - 75 Zoning Descriptions 2. Commercial Districts The following describes the zoning districts in the • C1 - Office Buffer. Exclusive office district. Irvington neighborhood. For clarification, a “dwelling • C2 - High Intensity Office Apartment. Zoning unit” is defined as a house, apartment, mobile home district typically adjacent to a regional shopping or trailer, a group of rooms, or a single room occupied center or along arterial streets. as separate living quarters or; if vacant, intended for • C3 - Neighborhood. Permits a range of indoor retail occupancy as separate living quarters. Separate living sales and personal, professional, and business Irvington quarters are those in which the occupants live and eat services. Compatible with residential. separately from any other persons in the building and • C3C - Corridor. Residential and commercial uses in that have direct access from outside the building or a single structure. through a common hall. • C4 - Community Regional. Permits business 1. Dwelling Districts groupings and shopping centers. • D4 - Medium Density Single Family. Two family • C5 - General. Intended for commercial uses with dwellings permitted on corner lots only. outdoor operations on roads with heavier commercial • D5 - Medium Density Single Family. Permitted are traffic. single family and two family dwellings. • C7 - High Intensity. Intended for retail commercial • D6 - Low Density Multiple Family. Typical density is that have high intensity aspects such as abundant six to nine dwellings per gross acre. outdoor storage of materials and equipment; and • D8 - Urban Single Family, Two Family, and Multiple outdoor parking of commercial vehicles. Family. Typical density is 5 to 26 dwellings per gross • CS - Special. Permits a unique combination of uses, acre. commercial and non commercial, in a planned • D11 - Mobile Home Project. Proximity to major development. thoroughfares, sewers, school, and park facilities is • CID - Commercial Industrial. Intended for land uses necessary. Typical density is 6 dwellings per gross with a limited amount of customer traffic and that acre. are more compatible with industrial activities than • DP - Planned Unit Development. Densities and retail commercial activities. development are regulated and reviewed by the Metropolitan Development Commission. Predominantly residential in nature.
76 - Land Use and Zoning Irvington
Map 10 - Existing Zoning
D4 Medium Density Single Family D5 Medium Density Single Family D6 Low Density Multiple Family D8 Urban Single - Multi Family Residential D11 Mobile Home Project DP Planned Unit Development C1 Office Buffer C2 Office-Apartment C3 Neighborhood Commercial C4 Community-Regional Commercial C5 General Commercial C7 High Intensity Commercial CS Special Commercial CID Commercial-Industrial I2S Light Industrial Suburban I3S Medium Industrial Suburban I3U Medium Industrial Urban SU1 Churches SU2 Schools SU9 Government Offices and Facilities SU37 Library PK1 Park District One IHPC Local Historic Area
Land Use and Zoning - 77 3. Industrial Districts Zoning Plan • I1U - Restricted Industrial Urban. Buffer between After reviewing existing zoning and developing heavy industry and residential or commercial land recommendations for future land use, a Zoning Plan uses. was developed. The Zoning Plan for the neighborhood is • I2U - Light Industrial Urban. Applicable to older partly designed to properly designate various properties industrial districts that may serve as a buffer whose uses, although operating within the law, are not between residential and heavy industrial areas. supported by the proper zoning classifications. Irvington Uses are those with few objectionable nuisances. The Zoning Plan also addresses environmental concerns, Outside storage not to exceed 25% of the gross floor development on vacant sites, reuse of vacant buildings, area of building. and areas in transition from one land use to another • I3U - Medium Industrial Urban. Applicable to older land use. An effort was made to buffer incompatible industrial districts with objectionable nuisances. land uses. Outside storage not to exceed 50% of the gross floor The Zoning Plan is an indication of what is desirable area of building. zoning for the Irvington neighborhood. It should not be • I2S - Light Industrial Suburban. Buffer between inferred from the Zoning Plan that new regulations will residential and heavy industrial areas. Uses are become effective on real estate. those with few objectionable nuisances. Outside storage not to exceed 25% of the gross floor area of The Zoning Plan also incorporates the recommendations building. of the Irvington Historic Area Preservation Plan adopted in 2006 by the Indianapolis Historic • I3S - Medium Industrial Suburban. Applicable to Preservation Commission and the Metropolitan industrial districts with objectionable nuisances. Development Commission. The IHPC reviews Outside storage not to exceed 50% of the gross floor rezoning petitions, variance petitions, and petitions area of building. for certificates of appropriateness and authorization 4. Special Use Districts within the boundaries of the local historic area. Zoning • SU1 - Churches. petitions concerning sites outside of the local historic • SU2 - Schools. area continue to be under the jurisdiction of the MDC. • SU9 - Government offices and facilities. Implementation of the Zoning Plan will require a • SU10 - Cemeteries. concerted effort on the part of individual property • SU37 - Library. owners and the City of Indianapolis to rezone numerous parcels. Property owners wishing to pursue this option • SU39 - Water tank. by joining with adjacent landowners to petition for a 5. Park District change in zoning classification are encouraged. Also, • PK1 - Park District One. Permits all sizes and rezoning land consistent with this plan can be petitioned ranges of public park land and facilities. by the City of Indianapolis.
78 - Land Use and Zoning Irvington
Map 11 - Zoning Plan
D4 Medium Density Single Family D5 Medium Density Single Family D6 Low Density Multiple Family D8 Urban Single - Multi Family Residential D11 Mobile Home Project DP Planned Unit Development C1 Office Buffer C2 Office-Apartment C3 Neighborhood Commercial C3C Corridor Commercial C4 Community-Regional Commercial C5 General Commercial CS Special Commercial CID Commercial-Industrial I2S Light Industrial Suburban I3S Medium Industrial Suburban I3U Medium Industrial Urban SU1 Churches SU2 Schools SU9 Government Offices and Facilities SU10 Cemeteries SU37 Library SU39 Water Tank PK1 Park District One IHPC Local Historic Area
Land Use and Zoning - 79 Credits Arts, Culture, Education, and Diversity Committee Administration and Policy Direction: Facilitator - Todd Durnil, Irvington Community City of Indianapolis: School Board Committee Members Mayor Gregory A. Ballard Viola Abbott, Sue Barnett, Kathleen Biale, Alan Blunk, Jeff Coppinger, Paul Diebold, Jack Eichacker, Maureen Metropolitan Development Commission: Griffin, Blade Hauth, Dean Ilingworth, Sarah Katz, Irvington Mr. Randolph L. Snyder, President Becky Langsford, Michael Mace, Karen Martin, Jennifer Dorothy J. Jones, Vice-President Meehan Mills, Joyce Newland, Lucy Newton, John Mr. James J. Curtis, Sr., Secretary Padgett, Jennifer Richardson, Paula Rominger Lewis, Mr. Tom Morales, Vice-Secretary Patrick Sullivan, Mary Jane Teeters Eichacker, and Mike Williams Ms. Diana Hamilton Ms. Lisa Kobe Staff - Tim Hayes, Department of Metropolitan Development, Division of Planning Mr. J. Scott Keller Mr. Tim Ping Economic Development Committee Mr. John Suter Facilitator - JauNae Hanger Committee Members Department of Metropolitan Development: Rosemary Armour, Dawn Briggs, Pat Brown, Maury Plambeck, AICP, Director Larry Buell, Sabina Calhoun, Blade Hauth, Kitty Fenstermaker, Nancy Grindstaff, Kent Hankins, Division of Planning: Dale Harkins, Craig Heindel, Philip Hooper, Jane Michael Peoni, AICP, Administrator Ann Hughes, Dean Hvidston, Doug Hvidston, Mark Robert Wilch, Planner in Charge Kippert, Matt Klage, Michael Mace, Steve McGrath, Tim Hayes Betty McGrath, Jennifer Meehan Mills, Kevin John Byrnes Mandrell, Joyce Newland, Dene Dresch Nidiffer, John Jeff York Robertson, Jennifer Ruby, Christopher Short, Kris Sims, Jenny Skehan, Jeff Spalding, Rosemary Spalding, Nicole Mueller Patrick Sullivan, Kyla Thompson, Mike Thorne, Julia Waggoner, and Mike Williams
80 - Credits Economic Development Subcommittees Parks and Open Space Committee 1. Conditions Facilitator - Kent Knorr, Indy Parks Ellenberger Convener - Joyce Newland; Members - Dale Harkins, Park Manager Jane Ann Hughes, Patrick Sullivan Committee Members 2. General Business Sue Barnett, Pat Brown, Doug Hvidston, Lucy Newton, Convener - Jenny Skehan; Members - Rosemary Jennifer Richardson, Jennifer Ruby, and Phyllis Armour, Kevin Mandrell, Jeff Spalding and Mike Zimmerman Williams Irvington Staff - Bob Wilch, Department of Metropolitan 3. New Business Development Development, Division of Planning Convener - Dene Dresch Nidiffer; Members - Nancy Grindstaff, Craig Heindell, Michael Mace, Jennifer Public Safety and Code Enforcement MeeHan Mills, John Robertson, Patrick Sullivan and Committee Julia Waggoner Facilitator - Dale Tippet, Lieutenant, IMPD 4. Promotion Committee Members Convener - Pat Brown; Members - Sabina Calhoun, Kitty Fenstermaker, Mark Kippert, and Matt Klage Dean Hvidston, Doug Hvidston, Elizabeth Najar, Joyce Newland, Jennifer Ruby, Wendy Sellers-Lyons, Sharon 5. Revitalization and Restoration Tabard, and Erma Windson Convener - Chris Short; Members - Dawn Briggs, JauNae Hanger, Kent Hankins, Phillip Hooper and Staff - Nicole Mueller, Department of Metropolitan Kris Sims Development, Division of Planning Staff - Bob Wilch, Department of Metropolitan Development, Division of Planning Historic Irvington Committee Facilitator - Paul Diebold, Irvington Historical Society Committee Members Pat Brown, Dale Harkins, Amy Bomke Keating, Judy Kosegi, Brian Mack, Emily Mack, Karen Martin, Jennifer Ruby, Gary Weir, and Ben Younce Staff - Amy Bear, Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission
Credits - 81 METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF MARION COUNTY, INDIANA RESOLUTION NO. 08-CPS-R-011
Irvington RESOLUTION 08-CPS-R-011, amending a segment of the Comprehensive or Master Plan of Marion County, Indiana.
Be it resolved that, pursuant to I.C. 36-7-4, the Metropolitan Development Commission of Marion County, Indiana, hereby amends the Comprehensive or Master Plan for Marion County, Indiana, by the adoption of the Irvington Neighborhood Plan, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as an amendment to the Comprehensive or Master Plan of Marion County, Indiana.
Be it further resolved that the Secretary of the Metropolitan Development Commission is directed to certify copies of this Resolution 08-CPS-R-011, amending the Comprehensive or Master Plan of Marion County, Indiana, with the adoption of the Irvington Neighborhood Plan.
Be it further resolved that the Director of the Department of Metropolitan Development is directed to mail or deliver certified copies of this Resolution 08-CPS-R-011, to the Mayor of the City of Indianapolis, the City-County Council of Indianapolis and Marion County, and the Board of Commissioners of Marion County, Indiana and to the legislative authorities of the incorporated cities and towns of Marion County, Indiana that are directly affected by this plan. The Director shall also file one (1) copy of the Resolution and one (1) summary of the plan in the office of the Recorder of Marion County.
Randolph L. Snyder, President Metropolitan Development Commission
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND ADEQUACY THIS ______DAY OF OCTOBER, 2008.
Stephen Neff Assistant Corporation Counsel