Rescuing Boarded-up, Blighted Neighborhoods
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis hopes public-private partnerships and financial incentives will help transform two blighted areas in northwest Center Township. Officials released a request for proposals this week. They feel the plan could pay off in the “chronically vacant” neighborhoods. July 10, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — This week Renew Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, and the Marion County Commissioners released a Request For Proposals (RFP) for properties in the Northwest Area of Center Township. Included in this RFP are the potential for financial incentives available through the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD).
Renew Indianapolis, a not-for-profit that returns abandoned and blighted properties to productive use, is working with both the County Commissioners and the Department of Metropolitan Development to find positive redevelopment solutions for chronically vacant and abandoned property.
– The Marion County Board of Commissioners includes three elected officials: the County Assessor (Joseph O’Connor), the County Auditor (Billie Breaux) and the County Treasurer (Claudia Fuentes). The County Commissioners oversee County-Owned Surplus Property to ensure that the property is returned to the tax rolls or for good community use.
– The Department of Metropolitan Development works in partnership with other city departments to make every Indy neighborhood a great place to live and work—from planning the city’s future—to creating affordable homeownership opportunities—to supporting the growth of jobs and investment in our community. This work includes efforts to redevelop vacant and previously abandoned properties in targeted areas.
By including both properties owned by DMD and County-Owned Surplus Property, this RFP offers developers the opportunity to assemble parcels to make the greatest impact in an area. Additionally, the Department of Metropolitan Development is offering potential financial incentives to enhance the investment and jump-start redevelopment in targeted areas.
“Revitalizing our neighborhoods cannot only happen one house at a time. This project has the potential to make a big impact by utilizing public and private partners to transform neighborhoods.,” said DMD Deputy Director Jeff Roeder. “Mayor Ballard challenged us to look at the revitalization of all property the government is responsible for, and be thoughtful about the reuse that will come with the sale of these properties. This RFP answers that challenge.”
Responses will be reviewed by a Review Committee comprised of representatives from Renew Indianapolis, the County Commissioners, the Department of Metropolitan Development, and neighborhood representatives. The Metropolitan Development Commission and the County Commissioners retain authority to approve all transactions.
“We are excited to work with both the County Commissioners and the Department of Metropolitan Development to find new ways to address chronically vacant and abandoned properties and are hopeful this RFP will attract real estate developers who are interested in making a positive impact to improve the quality of life in the Northwest Area,” said Katy Brett, executive director of Renew Indianapolis. “By offering the ability to assemble properties and by involving neighborhood residents in these decisions, we hope we’ll end up with better projects for the buyer and for the neighborhood.”
A copy of the Request For Proposals, a map of the properties, and a listing of properties is available at www.renewindianapolis.org.
Source: Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission