For decades, the stretch of Bonna Ave. in Irvington from Ritter to Audubon has been mainly vacant, the brick pavement uneven and difficult for cars to use. A landscaping business/art gallery and a music store along the corridor have been the lone occupants — but they will soon be joined by new tenants and a decidedly more eclectic vibe, if Irvington Development Organization and Irvington Brewing Real Estate LLC get the required variances and approvals from city agencies. Dubbed the Irvington Coal Factory, the new development will extend the East Washington St. commercial district of Irvington, and invite more business and commercial investment along Audubon.
On a recent walking tour of the enormous property, Derek Wire from Black Acre and Lara Beck from IDO answered questions about the project — another walk-through is slated for April 26 at 1 p.m., beginning in the parking lot at 5543 Bonna — and take visitors through the soon-to-be renovated buildings and share the vision of what could be the next go-to spot on the East side.
Black Acre Brewing will begin production in one of the buildings soon.
The city has kicked in $500,000 from Community Development block grants, and Black Acre Real Estate will be raising about $700,000 in private investments to complete the landscaping, building renovation, and other construction. Encompassing 50,000 square feet of former industrial/manufacturing space, the two acre property will boast about 12 tenant spaces, an outdoor bocce ball and gathering area, ample parking in what is now an abandoned IPL substation, and much more when completed. Plans are in the works to rebuild Bonna Ave. as well, salvaging the historic bricks and possibly creating parallel parking along the Pennsy Trail to add more parking for the trail as well as the Irvington Coal Factory businesses.
Designed to use the new leg of the Pennsy Trail (construction to start soon), the Irvington Coal Factory development will attract tenants who will serve the needs of trail users, as well as local residents. Justin Miller, a co-owner of Black Acre Real Estate, has been talking with several businesses and restaurants who have indicated interest in leasing space; at press time, no specific names have been announced. Playground Productions and ALS Landscape will remain as tenants.
In order to make this all happen, IDO and Black Acre Real Estate will need the approval of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. A meeting is scheduled for May 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room, City-County Building. Once approved, the project will move forward quickly, with an anticipated completion in December of 2014.
