The near-eastside neighborhood quarterly summits are interesting gatherings, where people in the community come to share their vision of what the area could be. Usually, the meetings take place in an office-like area, with breakfast and lunch, and lots of ideas discussed. This quarter, the summit will be a little different: Better Block Indy: East Washington Street will take place June 8 from noon to 5 p.m. and will actually be held on East Washington Street between Oxford and Rural streets. Residents and other interested parties are encouraged to come and share what they believe the area could become. This is also when there are discussions about updating the Quality of Life plan that encompasses the east side neighborhoods.
The Better Block project is actually an international effort that focuses on redeveloping communities one block at a time. Founded in 2010, Better Block projects use temporary structures like pop-up shops and temporary seating to help residents re-imagine what the block would look like. Projects have been undertaken in Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; Geelong, Australia; and Tehran, Iran. Earlier in May at a CEO for Cities meeting in Indianapolis, Better Block was able to meet with local sponsors and supporters for a workshop and community walk of the proposed area on East Washington Street.
Megan Fetter, the Near-Eastside Community Builder, is excited about the innovative approach to creating a new vision for the near-eastside in general and the East Washington Street corridor in particular. “There are a lot of vacant lots and abandoned buildings along East Washington. We’re asking people to come out and share their ideas. There will be ways to vote on what you want to see in the area.”
Twenty-one neighborhoods are on the near-eastside, stretching from the highway to the west to Emerson on the east, and Mass Ave/21st Street on the north to Washington on the south. Each neighborhood has unique character — from the stately homes of Woodruff Place and cool cottages of Cottage Home, to the up-and-coming St. Clair Place and Englewood communities. Yet the major commercial districts on East Washington, East 10th, and East 16th streets that serve those neighborhoods have struggled for decades. The East 10th Street Civic Association has pushed back hard and has helped encourage new businesses along 10th between downtown and Emerson Avenue. While there are many small successes, the key is to get the ball rolling in the right direction.
However, the East Washington corridor, particularly from Shelby St. to Sherman Drive, has suffered from decades of decline. The Better Blocks visioning exercise on one specific, highly visible block will help people realize that there is also a great deal of potential in the empty spaces and boarded up buildings.
In order to help people realize the vision, Fetters said that the Pizza Hut will be transformed into a fine-dining Italian restaurant, there will be “upcycled” benches and tables out, and pop-up shops and storefront facades. The project will be anchored by the East Washington Street Branch Library. Fetters pointed out that the Carnegie-built library was an important part of the fabric of the neighborhood, and Indianapolis Public Library officials have met with leaders to envision a better East Washington Street.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to come out and share their hopes, dreams, and ideas about making the east side better, a block at a time.
