Brewery to Anchor Proposed Development
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA group spearheading plans to turn a former coal yard into a mixed-use development has landed a $500,000 boost from the City of Indianapolis. The Irvington Development Organization says the “Coal Factory” will be anchored by a new Black Acre Brewing Co. operation and include retail, dining, entertainment and office space. April 4, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Irvington Development Organization (IDO) announced today that it has secured a $500,000 grant from the City of Indianapolis to jumpstart an eclectic retail development south of Washington Street that will be known as the Coal Factory.
The Coal Factory encompasses 50,000 square-feet of property bounded by Bonna Avenue to the north and Ritter Ave to the west. The new development will be anchored by Black Acre Brewing Company's new brewing facility, and will include a mix of restaurants, retail, artisan food production, art and entertainment offerings, and shared office space.
The area is part of Irvington's original downtown, where a rail depot at the northeast corner of Bonna Avenue and Audubon Road was the hub of a thriving commercial district. The Coal Factory was once Irvington's actual coal yard, which was served by a rail spur that came off the main railroad line.
IDO applied for and secured the grant, which is from Community Development Block Grant funds. IDO is partnering with Irvington Brewing Real Estate, LLC to acquire and develop the site. Irvington Brewing Real Estate, LLC will serve as the owner and manager of the site and will be responsible for the build out and leasing of the property.
“In recent years, our neighborhood has launched several redevelopment projects, and the Coal Factory has the potential to transform the southern part of Irvington,” said Margaret Lawrence Banning, executive director of IDO. “We are grateful to the City for recognizing the assets in our historic neighborhood that will support this kind of development: our dense housing, our accessibility to downtown and our connectivity to our neighbors. But for also recognizing the need to jump start the development which we are confident will spur future investments in Irvington.”
The Pennsy Trail will front the Coal Factory on the north side of Bonna Ave. Slated for completion this fall, this one block stretch is the only area where the trail will front commercial development, as the remainder of the trail goes through back yards and behind buildings.
“This is yet another example of the public/private partnerships for which Indianapolis has become known,” said Department of Metropolitan Development Director Adam Thies. “It is this kind of cooperation that is also an example of how government can stimulate job creation, redevelopment and reuse of distressed properties.”
Elements of the Coal Factory will require approval from the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, including zoning and exterior building improvements. The Commission will hear the project's petition at its May 7, 2014 meeting.
The Coal Factory construction is slated for completion by December 2014.
About Irvington Development Organization
Irvington Development Organization, founded in 2002, works for the benefit of Irvington by cultivating positive business development, promoting the unique character of our neighborhood and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. Irvington is a historic community on the East Side of Indianapolis known for its winding, tree-lined streets and architecturally significant homes and businesses.
Source: Irvington Development Organization