INDIANAPOLIS — Mayor Joe Hogsett recently announced the Near North Corridor as one of two new Lift Indy areas for 2021, each to receive an anticipated $3.5 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding over the next three years. Lift Indy is a comprehensive community development investment program aimed at propelling revitalization in Indianapolis neighborhoods.
“Since 2017, the City of Indianapolis has designated a new Lift Indy area every year through a data-driven and competitive process,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “This year, we took a unique approach to expand the program and adapt the application process to focus on projects that best address a response to COVID-19. There’s no doubt that our neighborhoods are resilient and will bounce back, and we’re excited to name the Near North Corridor as the first recipient of the current process.”
The Near North Corridor joins three previously designated Lift Indy neighborhoods: Monon16, the Old Southside, and East 10th Street.
Near North Lift Indy-supported projects and programs include:
• The Excelsior will be developed by NNDC, with financial investment from IHCDA and IU Health, creating 80-units of affordable workforce rental housing and a neighborhood services center at 22nd & Illinois. The land was acquired through INHP’s equitable transit-oriented development fund.
• NNDC will also develop Capitol Gardens, in partnership with INHP and IU Health, at 21st & Capitol which will include a 108-unit mixed-income apartment project, 30 townhomes for home ownership, and more than ¾-acre of community gardens and greenspace.
• We Bloom’s Recovery Café Indy is a Peer Recovery Community providing wholistic and inclusive support to individuals desiring to heal and grow through any recovery challenge by offering connections to community-based resources, recovery circles and classes in the School for Recovery, including the development of a culinary and barista training program.
• Expansion and enhancement of the Indiana Plan program, providing of pre-apprenticeship training, mentoring, and job placement services to increase opportunities for minorities, women, and disadvantaged individuals in the skilled union construction trades.
• A homeowner repair loan program and homebuyer education administered by INHP.