Fletcher Place www.fletcherplace.org

July / August 2010 What it means to be green: Neighborwoods project

By Priscilla Tucker pure oxygen per day. Trees an evergreen barrier against We’re proud of our his- also cool naturally with their pollution for the winter toric Fletcher Place, with its shade and through water months when deciduous tree-lined streets. Most of evaporating from leaves. A trees lose their leaves. The us have green yards with good tree system can cool a goal of this FPNA and KIB flowers, plants, bushes (and city by up to 10 degrees by project is to extend the winter a tree or two). But the bucolic breaking up “heat islands.” evergreen barrier to the end appearance belies the fact Another benefit is that trees of the field at East Street that the neighborhood suf- have a positive economic and populate the field with fers from global environ- influence on real estate additional diverse native mental problems. Traffic values, timeliness of house deciduous trees and bushes from the all-too-convenient sales and neighborhood thus creating our own lovely interstate blankets the area, desirability. Trees can raise woods. But time; September silently filtering into our property values by as much is rapidly approaching and houses and invading our as 15 percent there’s a lot more to do. bodies, sometimes bearing The Fletcher Place Neigh- First, before planting respiratory problems, such borhood Association (FPNA) some construction on the as asthma, chronic bronchitis, in conjunction with Keep project site is needed. For pneumonia, or worsening Beautiful (KIB), example, creating a path allergies. the Department of through the wooded area But change is in the wind. Transportation (INDOT) will require a back hoe to Picture a lovely woods filled and other area organiza- dig out the pathway and with birdsong, bunnies in tions is working to create a trucking in and installing a the bushes, squirrels in the woods of our own. The open base and final surface, none trees and a path meander- field along Buchanan Street, of which can wait until after ing through it. Sound like north of the East Street exit the trees and shrubs have something out of a fairy and the “spaghetti bowl” of been planted. The Fletcher Everyone has an important chips, brownies, water, iced tale? Such a woods would overpasses, exits and criss- Place neighborhood needs role to play. People are tea or other favorites; add to the beauty Fletcher crossing interstates has been to raise money to have the needed to: 4. Provide and set up Place, but it would also selected as the site of a special earth moving and grading 1. Dig holes and plant tables to hold the food and serve a more serious func- project. This field belongs done and to buy materials. the trees; drinks; tion. A good balance of trees, to INDOT and INDOT has Any and all help is needed 2. Water in the trees; 5. Provide lawn chairs, bushes and other plants is given its approval to the whether in the form of money, 3. Supply beverages blankets or other places to fundamental to reducing project. KIB with Andrew time, imagination, organiza- and snacks for all of the sit; pollution. Trees clean the Hart as director of its “Neigh- tional skills and/or physical workers, such as cookies, Continued on page 6 air. Trees and other vegeta- borwoods” program has work. This project is on a fast tion absorb CO2 and release pledged to donate 50 trees track. We have only approxi- oxygen thus “scrubbing” the and additional bushes to mately two months, or until Fletcher Place air before we breathe it. Their be planted in September of the middle of September, to Neighborhood Association, Inc. foliage is a natural air filter this year. KIB will also help come together and be ready of particulate matter such as by addressing other issues to accept the living gift of Meetings dust, micro sized metals and arising in connection with trees and bushes. they absorb odors and pol- such projects. Second, in September July 13, 7 p.m. lutant gases (nitrogen oxides, Over the years FPNA has there will be a one-day tree ammonia, sulfur dioxide and planted trees and bushes planting event. On planting and August 10, 7 p.m. ozone). Forty trees remove at the project site. At the day a large force of neigh- 80 pounds of air pollutants last planting in December bors of all ages are needed, ’s Coffee Company annually. A mature tree can of 2009, 12 Colorado blue including kids, teenagers manufacture five pounds of spruce were planted to begin and more mature adults. 615 Virginia Avenue Fletcher Place Parchment • July / August 2010 • Page 1 Membership in FPNA for 2010 continues to build The Fletcher Place Fletcher Place Develop- John Venezia David & Rosemary Page Susan Guba Neighborhood Association, ment LLC Elm Street Virginia Avenue John Lienhart Inc. continues to sign new Fletcher Place Insurance Larry & Rhonda Peffer Mary & John Bartley Eric Patberg/Sally Gardner and renewed members for Mary Jo Showley Fletcher Avenue Susan Guba Larry & Rhonda Peffer 2010. For the year through Union Laundry Lofts HOA Kathy & William Backhoff Susan Wagner Rogers Curtis & Janet Ramsey June 20, 14 businesses, Bates Street Nick Crist Wright Street Roger Roe/Kent Cook and 140 individuals have Ken Ponsler Evelyn Hovee/Peter Wal- Eric Patberg/Sally Gardner Gerold & Marlina Schmid become members. Buchanan Street lace The Fletcher Place Jerry Sutherlin/Alicia New and renewed Louise Alexander/Robert Shannon Kikendall Neighborhood Association Quintana memberships received Simonds Jeff & Carolyn Miller has created membership Nick J. Willey between March 1 and June Jason, Vanessa & Elias Flora Ken & Virginia Scott categories for those per- Advocate ($50 per person) 20 are: Jennifer Wolfe Greer Street sons who wish to give more Julie Devine Businesses: Cincinnati Street Bill Lovejoy to the association than the Jim Lingenfelter/Georgia Biz on Fletcher John Lienhart R i c h a r d & S o n d r a basic membership. The Cravey Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee College Avenue McQueary membership categories Bill Lovejoy Company Cinnamon Caughlan & Greg & Dana Townsend are named after the roles Lorenzo Selby Domont Studio Gallery family Lexington Avenue that neighborhood founder Greg & Dana Townsend Fitness Now! Lina Presley Robert Denlinger Calvin Fletcher played in Jennifer Wolfe Five2Five Studio East Street Kevin Grau/Stina Wedlock his civic life. Those gener- Others making additional Dihn T. Steenberg ous folks are: donations Jerry Sutherlin/Alicia Benefactors: ($25 per Louise Alexander/Robert Quintana person) Simonds Nick J. Willey Ryan & Hannah Brown Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Lord Street Corey Dalton Company Paul Buckley/Peggy Spohr Doug Dilling/Chris Scho- Five2Five Studio 731 Fletcher Ave.731 •Fletcher Indianapolis, Ave. IN 46203 Indianapolis, IN 46203 Corey Dalton eder Lina Presley (317) 423-1400 Julie Devine Kevin Grau/Stina Wedlock Chuck & Syd Schafer [email protected](317) 423-1400 We [email protected] help with all your promotional needs: Jim Lingenfelter/Georgia Keep the lights burning WeGiveaways can help with all yourAwards promotional needs: Cravey Staff Giveaways Apparel AwardsSafety Programs Curtis & Janet Ramsey Help Fletcher Place keep its low crime rate. Shining Gifts Staff Apparel SafetyFundraisers Programs Gifts Fundraisers Colleen Smith/Jack Died- lights in the night works. Keep your porch light on all Call or Email for a Free Quote rich night. And think about having additional street and alley AlreadyCall have or anEmail item for in a mind Free Quoteor looking for ideas, browse our website: Michael & Mary Weeks lighting installed by IPL (261-8653) for a monthly fee. Also, McCarty Street report the location of streetlights that are out by calling Alreadywww.promotionalavenues.com have an item in mind or looking for ideas, browse our website: Maryann Petrosino IPL at 261-8111 or visiting their Web site. www.promotionalavenues.com Merrill Street Jennifer Owen/William Harmon Marie Pittman Oechsle Rick Truex Tom Ellefson Noble Street Communications Consultant Carrie Bone/Myles & [email protected] Nextel# (317) 557-2293 • Radio ID 11*44*31912 Channing Bernat Office (317) 253-8000 • Fax (317) 596-2838 Philip & Pamela Brown Ryan & Hannah Brown Doug Dilling/Chris Schro- eder Family owned & operated Doug & Judy Litsey Dining room & Roger Roe/Kent Cook cocktail lounge Gerold & Marlina Schmid Lorenzo Selby 10% Off Priscilla Tucker when you bring in this ad Park Avenue (Tues. & Wed. nights only) Chuck & Syd Schafer Jeffery L. Wylie Located in Pine Street Fletcher Place Nathan Davis/Angela Dusendschon 317 South College Stevens Street 300 south & 700 east Joe & Diane Giacoletti 638-7706

Page 2 • July / August 2010 • Fletcher Place Parchment Building community rom the Editor with social media F You’re probably already using tools like Twitter (www.twitter.com) and Facebook (www.facebook.com) The Parchment needs you! to connect with family and business associates online. As the new editor of the and articles. Or if writing is deadlines also are posted there, But these and other social networks are a great way to Parchment, I’m pleased to be really your thing, consider but generally are bimonthly share neighborhood information and get to know your associated with both a great committing to a recurring a week after the Association neighbors. community and a great publi- column; I’m looking for an meetings. When you submit Twitter is a broadcast messaging medium –kind of cation; I hope you’ll continue arts contributor, and a foodie an item, it may be edited for like one-way instant messaging--that lets the user post to find the Parchment a source to write reviews of restaurants length or clarity; editorials will short text messages (tweets) in a stream-of-consciousness of information and pride in right nearby. And thanks to be published as space permits. format. Users post their status or location, or use micro- Fletcher Place. I’m working Priscilla Tucker for kicking off If you find a factual error in the blog posts to share web citations and links. Neighbor- hard with David Edy and the what I hope will be a wave of Parchment please bring it to hood associations are finding that Twitter can be a useful rest of the Parchment volunteer generous contributions with my attention and I’ll publish way to share information quickly with other community staff to plan an editorial calen- her “What it Means to be Green” a correction. I look forward to members; new pothole sprung up overnight? Warn dar full of interesting features feature in this issue. working with all of you and your neighbors via Twitter. Neighborhood association and useful information, and The editorial calendar will to building community in meeting tonight? Remind them with a tweet! You can putting together a social media be posted to the fletcherplace. Fletcher Place! “follow” other user’s tweets by user name, or you can strategy to help Fletcher Place org site; article submission Lisa Woods (parchment- use follow subject-related tweets marked with “hash build community on the web. [email protected]) tags” using Twitter Search (http://search.twitter.com) But I need help. Over the or TweetDeck ( www.tweetdeck.com ). So for example, coming months, I’ll be reach- Fletcher Place, if members of the Fletcher Place Neighborhood mark ing out, pestering, perhaps BAZBEAUX neighborhood-related tweets with a #fletcherplc hash tag, even browbeating folks into DELIVERS!! those will show up in the #fletcherplc TwitterSearch… contributing. Fletcher Place For fast, hot, Facebook lets users create “Groups” that other is a community of diverse to-your-door service Facebook users can join and participate in. Check out experiences and voices, and simply call the Facebook Fletcher Place Neighborhood page by this newspaper is a community 636-7662 searching on “Fletcher Place” in Facebook, and join effort. Please consider adding 334 Massachusetts Ave the discussion, or upload images of the neighborhood. your voice by submitting ideas Indianapolis, IN 46204 Eventually, the #fletcherplc Twitter feed will be syndi- cated to the Facebook page, too. And while you’re on Facebook, check out these other pages as well: • Fountain Square – Indianapolis Facebook Page Doug Dilling (hasn’t been updated recently) • Garfield Park Arts Center (GPAC) -http://tinyurl. Associate Broker com/yfhdlou contains announcements for events like this summer’s Shakespeare in the Park, and reviews of past events, and videos and fan pictures • Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company – Announce- ments of events, product reviews and general friendli- ness Other ideas for using social networking in Fletcher Place? Drop me a line on Facebook and let me know! ParchmFletcher Place ent Volume 18, Number 2 Lisa Woods ([email protected]), editor David Edy ([email protected]), art director Frederick Frosch ([email protected]) 370-1578, advertising sales Doug Dilling, accounts receivable Keith Holdsworth, Doug Litsey, Priscilla Tucker, Mimi Truex, contributors Greg Townsend, courier

The Parchment is published bi-monthly by the Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association, Inc. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association, Inc., or the neighborhood as a whole and publication does not imply approval or endorsement at any level. © Copyright 2010 Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association, Inc.

Fletcher Place Parchment • July / August 2010 • Page 3 Hoosier Neighbor David Edy and Keith Holdsworth By Doug Litsey take on. We’d heard about don’t answer that. I also value the urban Noble Street this new historic district: What do you value forest. The trees give the How long have you Chatham Arch. We looked about Fletcher Place? neighborhood character and lived in Fletcher Place? there, but it seemed awfully David: The closeness to a human scale. They make David: 28 years rough, and the people we downtown. It’s very easy to the neighborhood feel like Keith: 20 years met and talked to weren’t walk out our door and within part of the land rather than Why did you choose particularly welcoming. minutes we can walk to standing over the earth. I’m Fletcher Place? H e r r o n M o r t o n Circle Centre, to White River proud that I’ve been a part David: I was looking for came up, but the houses State Park, the restaurants of the neighborhood asso- a Victorian house, and I had were far too large. and shops on Mass. Ave. and ciation’s efforts to reforest this idea that I’d try my hand A co-worker then told us Fountain Square. the neighborhood; an effort at restoring one. I’d always about Fletcher Place. We’d I also value the feeling that has grown community liked the idea of living down- never heard of it. So that of community we have here. spirit along with the trees. town (that’s where we’d do Saturday we took off to see Keith Holdsworth and Neighbors tend to look out I feel very fortunate to be able most of our shopping when what we could see. David Edy for each other, and we’re to commute on foot. I was growing up). We knew We were confused and through. There it was: 715 very fortunate to have great When I commuted to the we couldn’t afford Lockerbie, lost because of all the dead Lexington. The exterior had neighbors. FP doesn’t have northside by car I arrived so we started looking at ends, but we ended up at been restored by the pre- as much of a-small-town-in- home every day as stressed, Woodruff Place, but it was College and Lexington just decessor of SEND. It stood a-big-city feel any more, but or more stressed, than when also more than we could after a storm had passed there glistening in the late it’s retained the neighborly I left work. Walking home afternoon sun. feel. We have friends that live lets me de-stress by the We went home and called out West, and they would time I cross my threshold. I Michael P. McCormick, cpa the realtor and a week later love to replicate that neigh- also like that my pedestrian 1031 S. Shelby St. 236.8007 came back to take a look at borliness in their historic commute is saving energy the house. Nothing had been neighborhood. and not contributing to air done for decades to the inte- Oh, and we can’t forget pollution or oil spills. Providing Financial, rior. But, several neighbors Iaria’s. Fletcher Place What improve - Tax & Accounting Services to came down to talk to us, wouldn’t be Fletcher Place ments would you like invited us into their homes to without Iaria’s. to see in Fletcher Place? Small Business and Professionals see their restoration projects Keith: I could go on David: After 28 years of and did their best to convince for pages and pages on this constant improvement, I’m us we’d found the right place. topic. I feel like Fletcher not sure what to say. We That was June of 1982. By Place fits me almost perfectly. could always use more September the interior was I value the historic character trees, and there are a couple finished and we moved in. of the neighborhood and of prominent buildings that A few years later I moved to my home. I love the care could use some sprucing our present home. and detail that went into the up, but overall we’re pretty Keith: Did I move here original construction of this lucky here. to be with David or did I house and how it has been Keith: I would like to move in with David to be in faithfully maintained over see continued revitaliza- Fletcher Place? Better that I the last 120-plus years. Continued on page 7

Downtown Car Appraisal Services Tracey Tabor Commercial and Residential Williams, DMD Care Center, Inc. Real Estate Appraisers Family Dentistry 540 Virginia Ave. In Lockerbie 632-5660 Marketplace Indianapolis, IN located in Fletcher Place at 303 N. Alabama St. 7:30-5:30 M-F 722 Lexington Avenue Suite 270 Specializing in , IN 46204 and Historic Properties 637-4636 637-2419 Page 4 • July / August 2010 • Fletcher Place Parchment On the Edge Garfield Park (This piece is the first of a napolis; the park originally bridge over Pleasant Run. nization of local businesses as a dynamic commu- series of articles about neigh- was the home of the 98-acre The park itself became a and individuals work- nity resource. In 2009 the borhoods near Fletcher Place.) Southern Riding Park, a popular destination espe- ing to raise supplemental Friends raised $125,000 for The Garfield Park racetrack established by cially after streetcar service and matching funds to the Park. Neighborhood is bounded local businessmen in 1874. reached it in 1895 but resi- keep the Park sustainable by Raymond, Pleasant When the track failed, the dential development was How is my lawn Run creek, Interstate 65, land was repossessed for hindered by the concen- and Troy and Madison back taxes, and sold to tration of rail tracks in the connected to clean water? Avenues, and features a the city as Southern Park, area, which made vehicular very Midwestern mix of and was renamed after the access difficult. The Board With all the recent heavy care and its impact on our single-family stately Victo- assassination of President of Park Commissioners rains, now might be good streams and lakes. Water rians, craftsman style bun- James Garfield in 1881. At made improvements to time for homeowners to ask quality friendly lawn care galows and ranch houses. various times proposals the pedestrian experience a simple question- How is includes practices such The neighborhood is easily were presented to turn the of the park throughout the my lawn connected to clean as using phosphorus-free accessible from downtown park into a cemetery or a first decade of the twentieth water? fertilizer, landscaping with and is walking distance factory, until about 1888 century, including the strik- A new campaign “Clear native plants, managing from Fountain Square. when the city began to cul- ing pagoda with a view of Choices for Clean Water” yard and pet wastes, and The park itself is the tivate the land as a public the downtown skyline, and is working hard to answer overall lawn reform. Pro- oldest public park in India- park with the addition of a in 1912 George E Kessler that question and increase tecting healthy and ade- made it a highlight of his awareness about lawn Continued on page 6 city parks master plan with Lunch Specials Pizza To Go the addition of his design Best Pizza Open 7 days for the sunken gardens. til 2 a.m. Residential growth around Sundays til 12 the park finally took off with the addition of raised railroad crossings, and by 1916 the area east of the 621 Virginia Ave. • 317-916-1514 park was a growing neigh- Beer • Wine • Liquor borhood. Today, the Park is home to a public swimming center, the Burello Recre- Full line of dressings available at: ation Center, and the Gar- field Park Conservatory, as Biz Salon well as the Garfield Park 630 Fletcher Ave. Arts Center. The Friends of Indianapolis, IN Garfield Park, Inc. (http:// www.garfieldparkindy. org/home.php) is an orga-

Downtown Northside 612 N. Delaware Street 4209 East 62nd Street 636-5040 255-8282

Fletcher Place Parchment • July / August 2010 • Page 5 Neighborwoods Water quality

Continued from page 1 the entire neighborhood. It winter months. Your help Continued from page 5 quently visit. These prop- 6. Hand out the food is a “day of service” to our will be desperately needed quate water supplies takes erties could be showcases and drink either at the tables home neighborhood. It is and again everyone has a partnership of individual for clean water! or in the field (kids can do also a terrific chance to meet an important role to play. residents, businesses, local Members of every com- this too); neighbors you may not know A source of water will be governments, civic groups munity (friends, colleagues, 7. Be “gophers” making and rekindle old friendships. provided but neighbors and educators at all levels. neighbors, local politicians) sure each person has the Finally, as guardians of will be needed to gather on To learn more about this are making choices which tools, supplies and help they the gift of these green addi- a weekly basis to fill buck- campaign visit the www. affect water quality every need (kids can be “gophers” tions, we must ensure their ets, carry water, and make ClearChoicesCleanWater. day. Good water quality too); and survival. The primary need sure that each tree has been org web site. needs the involvement 8. Be spectators and of these trees will be con- watered People of all ages Individual homeown- of the whole community! cheer on the troops. sistent watering for the first can help. Filling buckets ers and renters control More details and ideas There are tree-covered three years of their young and keeping track of which most of the land in Indiana. are available on the Clear lawns where tables and lives. The need for water trees have been watered are How they manage water on Choices web site. chairs can be set up and non- is vitally important during tasks which do not require private properties is critical Stae and local sponsors planting work can take place. hot dry periods but eases any specific age or level of to keeping public water for the “Clear Choices for This will be a great day for up during rainy spells and fitness to perform. To lighten supplies healthy. Simple Clean Water” Campaign the load groups of neighbors actions, such as picking up include the Upper White can be formed so that each pet wastes helps. As waste River Watershed Alliance, group need only water once decomposes it releases IUPUI’s Center for Earth a month or so, depending on nutrients (like phospho- and Environmental Science, how many participate. You rus), and bacteria (like the Indiana Department and your friends can form E.coli) that may wash into of Environmental Man- a group and decide how storm drains and then into agement (IDEM), Indiana you want to organize your local streams untreated. Lakes Management Society watering days or step in line Avoiding putting grass (ILMS), and Indiana Wild- to help every week or once clipping or leaves into life Federation (IWF). a month. storm sewers also helps. Interested individuals Fletcher Place has a Yard waste can be compos- are encouraged to join their unique opportunity to solve ted or grass clippings can local or regional watershed a serious environmental be left to decompose on the group or help form one, problem using a sustain- lawn and provide natural and get involved in other able low-tech approach fertilizer for a lawn. activities and events. while creating a beautiful H o m e o w n e r s a re Contact the Marion Fountain asset to the neighborhood. encouraged to talk to their County Soil & Water Con- In creating and maintaining neighbors about what they servation District office at our Neighborwoods we are doing. 317-786-1776 or visit their Square can become a showpiece Business owners often web site at www.marion- for innovative and forward manage the landscapes swcd.org to learn more thinking “green” solutions of places that people fre- about water quality issues. Academy to major challenges faced by urban dwellers. Whether or not you have ever par- ticipated in a group effort or are actively involved in area events, whether you have lived here a long time or only plan to stay temporarily this is your chance to make a difference in the environ- ment right here at home. Your contribution may be financial, physical or a gift of imagination or organiza- tion but the time is here for BUD’S every neighbor to roll up SUPERMARKET their sleeves and get green! **Please check for event 1260 Shelby Street dates in fliers or in the Parch- Indianapolis, Indiana 46203 ment. (317) 634-3866

Page 6 • July / August 2010 • Fletcher Place Parchment Mayor Ballard launches RequestIndy aveat Emptor On June 16, Mayor Greg Mayor’s Action Center by marks a significant step C Ballard joined Director of calling 317-327-4MAC. forward in that effort,” said Homeowners! To list your For Sale By Owner here, please call Mimi or Constituent Services, Sarah “We are dedicated to Mayor Ballard. “We hope Bryan Truex at 632-4515. Taylor to launch Request- improving the level of ser- residents will find Request- For Sale Indy, a new online portal that vice we provide to citizens Indy to be a tool that allows 714 Buchanan, #5, Horace Mann Condos, $114,900, FCTucker Co., allows residents to report and ways in which citizens us to work in partnership to Julie Brooks, 259-6000 problems in their neighbor- are able to interact with local improve the quality of life for 714 Buchanan, #9, Horace Mann Condos, $137,500, FCTucker Co., hoods such as high weeds government. RequestIndy all citizens.” Joan Lonnemann, 259-6000 714 Buchanan, #10, Horace Mann Condos, $179,900, Sycamore Group, and grass, potholes and stray Phillip Todd, 722-4250 animals. The first-of-its-kind 714 Buchanan, #11, Horace Mann Condos, $100,000, Sycamore Group, portal for the City of India- Mariam Rahman, 722-4350 napolis uses GIS mapping Shop For Antiques 714 Buchanan, #17, Horace Mann Condos, $149,000, Century 21 technology to provide a user n ountain quare Realty Group, Jane Lofton-Wells, 595-2100 friendly means of connecting I F S 316 S. College, $274,900, Pinpoint Realty Services, Ranee Rathee, 847-9114 with the City. 435 S. College, Proposed Home, $179,900, or vacant lot, $49,900, RequestIndy allows 7 Days A Week Indianapolis Downtown Realty, Mark Crouch, 920-7055 citizens to request services, Furniture • Vintage Clothing • Glassware 439 S. College, $32,900, Indianapolis Downtown Realty, Mark Crouch, report issues, and open 920-7055 service requests online, 24 Books • Primitives • Coins • Price Guides 545 S. East St., $925,000, Flock Realty, Kate Flock, 634-6676 hours a day, 7 days a week, American Art Pottery • Collectibles 717 Elm St., Proposed Home, $450,000, Sycamore Group, Joe Everhart, 722-4350 or as a vacant lot $45,000 365 days a year. Citizens can • Accessories 722 Elm St., $225,000, Sycamore Group, Joe Everhart, 722-4350 access an aerial street level 725 Elm St., vacant lot, $55,000, Sycamore Group, Joe Everhart, 722- view of an area to report Downtown 4350 locations of potholes, graf- 501 Fletcher, Fletcher Pointe Condos, 2 units, $975,000, Sycamore fiti, high weeds and grass Antique Mall Group, Joe Everhart, 722-4250 and any other problems. 526 Fletcher, PENDING, JBG, Inc., Daniel Kriech, 842-0400 1044 Virginia Ave. 529 Fletcher, $239,000, Century 21 Scheetz, Cyrus Jafar, 414-3671 Citizens’ requests will arrive 533 Fletcher, vacant lot, $60,000, Century 21 Scheetz, Cyrus Jafar, within moments of being 635-5336 414-3671 submitted to the correct 534 Fletcher, $199,900, Carpenter, Mary Jo Showley, 844-4400 agencies, regardless of day or 617 Fletcher, 3 unit, $200,000, Carpenter, Mary Jo Showley, 844-4400 time, and users will have the Fill out this form and bring it to our next 732 Fletcher, 5-Unit, $245,900, Indianapolis Downtown Realty, Mark option to look up the status meeting or mail it to: Crouch, 920-7055 of submitted requests. Fletcher Place Neighborhood 751 Fletcher, SOLD, FCTucker, Lonnie Thompson, 844-4200 Association, Inc. 752 Fletcher, $145,921, Prudential Indiana Realty Group, Tammie To access RequestIndy, Membership Chairman Lee Hall, 290-6707 visit the Mayor’s Action 558 Fletcher Ave. 818 Greer, $274,000, MG Realty, LLC, Melanie Gierbolini, 584-1104 Center Web site at www. Indianapolis, IN 46203 837 Greer, $148,500, FCTucker, Janet Mulvaney, 844-4200 indy.gov/mac. Citizens will Name 906 Greer, $295,000, FCTucker, Lynette Wuethrich, 891-0100 continue to have the option 608 Lexington, $3 unit, $200,000, MSWoods Real Estate LLC, Ray- mond Blaik, 516-382-3681 to report similar issues to the Address 702 Lexington, Commercial Property, $200,000, Carpenter, Mary Jo Showley, 844-4400 Neighbor Zip Code 706 Lexington, Commercial Property, $200,000, Carpenter, Mary Jo Showley, 844-4400 Continued from page 4 Phone Number 726-728 Lexington, Duplex, $150,000, Sycamore Group, Joe Everhart, tion of the neighborhood. I 722-4250 would like to see Virginia E-mail Address 735 Lexington, #15, Smoke Stack Unit, Union Laundry Lofts, $299,900, Avenue blossom as mixed- Prudential Indiana Realty Group, Kevin Warren, 595-2100 use street with residential Membership is open to anyone living in or owning property 735 Lexington, #21, Union Laundry Lofts, $119,900, Century 21 in the Fletcher Place neighborhood (Louisiana Street to the Scheetz, David Piccolo, 814-5500 development and low-key, north, East Street to the west, I-65/70 to the east and I-70 735 Lexington, #25, Union Laundry Lofts, $140,000, Keller Williams, neighborhood-serving busi- to the south). Julie Downey, 846-6300 nesses. 734 McCarty, vacant lot, $74,900, Indianapolis Downtown Realty, What is something most Individual Basic Dues: $5 per person Mark Crouch, 920-7055 people don’t know about Benefactor: $25 per person 538 E. Merrill, $87,000, FCTucker Co., Carol Vittorio, 891-0100 you? Advocate: $50 per person 657 E. Merrill, Merrill Street Townhomes, $365,000, Carpenter Real- Mover & shaker: $75 per person tors, Steven Kass, 297-2900 Keith: That I have twelve 711 S. Noble, SOLD, Carpenter, Cathy Garven, 727-3952 toes on my left foot. Just kid- Sage of Woodlawn: $100/+ per person 730 S. Noble, PENDING, Century 21 Realty Group I, Denny Moore, ding. Business: $20 per business 595-2100 David: I can’t top that Youth: $3 per person 808 S. Noble, $194,900, Re/Max Select, Teresa Hefferman, 881-3700 o one. I’ve been accused of Check here if you wish your donation to remain 906 S. Noble, PENDING, Carpenter Realtors, Rick Coffey, 881-8100 being too much of an open anonymous. 430 Virginia, $19,900, American Wholesale Properties, Franklin Make checks payable to: Rodebaugh, 613-4570 book, apparently I have no 435 Virginia, Villaggio at Page Pointe, $349,900 to 835,000, many secrets. Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association, Inc. Listed & PENDING, various realtors Fletcher Place Parchment • July / August 2010 • Page 7 History Right Here Virginia Avenue State Bank building (Excerpts taken from did in the Fletcher Place strong horizontal profile National Register of Historic heyday. The building was must have seemed an Places Registration by Ange designed and built by optimistic prediction for Albsmeyer and graciously Fermor Spencer Cannon great prosperity to come. provided by Susan Rodgers) (architect of the Hinkle The Art Moderne style The Virginia Avenue Fieldhouse) in 1924. The represented a bold depar- State Bank is located at Virginia Avenue State Bank ture from the stolid tradi- 620 Virginia Avenue at the operated from 1925 until tional architecture of classic northeast intersection of 1933, and its opening in banks of the era, but was Virginia Avenue and Col- 1925 coincided with the to become a stark symbol lege Avenue, at the south peak of brisk economic of the dashed hopes and end of the Fletcher Place growth in the Fletcher economic catastrophe that Historic District. With Place and Fountain Square marked the Great Depres- the exception of the west areas. At the time it was sion. In the words of Ange entrance (added in 1944) built, the building’s dis- Albsmeyer, “From the The Virginia Ave. State Bank building the bank looks much as it tinctive tile, grillwork and 1910s through the 1950s, Fountain …was an area of Anderson, Indiana moved frame shop and art gallery, active commerce, primar- his family into the building and a coffee shop. ily a mix of the middle and opened the United Ter- Today, with the renewed class who owned homes mite Control Company; the growth and turnaround in in the adjoining Fletcher building has been owned the Fletcher Place neigh- Place district, and the blue by the Wagner family ever borhood, optimism has collar workers who lived in since. The building has returned to the Virginia the many apartments and been occupied at various Avenue State Bank build- rented rooms along Vir- times by the Teitel Film ing; owner Susan Rodgers ginia Avenue. [In] the early Renovating Company, The (Russell Wagner’s grand- 1920s , Virginia Avenue Southeast Health Center daughter) has picked up provided practically every- (1968-1973), the Premier that original optimism and thing one needed for every- Stamp and Coin Shop, a is working to return retail day life within walking dance apparel shop, a sec- business to the Virginia distance; necessities such ondhand clothing store, a Avenue State Bank build- as groceries, dry goods, ing. barber, bakery, and dentists, as well as entertainment Thank you Fletcher Place, (billiards, movies, restau- Fountain Square, Garfield Park and rants, soda shops)… But while the Virginia Avenue surrounding neighborhoods State Bank was expanding, for your awesome support of the rest of the neighbor- Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company hood was beginning to show signs of an economic downturn. By the late Our hours are 1920s, several businesses 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the neighborhood had 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday closed or changed hands, and businesses selling used Serving Fair Trade and Organic Coffee, clothing, pre-owned cars, and secondhand furniture Organic Teas, delicious pastries, began to spring up along tasty sandwiches and soups Virginia Avenue…” Please come and see us soon In late December of 1933, the Indianapolis Times reported that that the Virginia Avenue State Bank 615 Virginia Avenue was defunct. The building 423-9697 stood empty for ten years until Russell Wagner of Page 8 • July / August 2010 • Fletcher Place Parchment