IRVINGTON — On October 1, the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) approved zoning changes and exterior improvements for the Coal Factory, allowing the unique commercial development south of Washington St. in Irvington to move forward. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the development.
The Coal Factory encompasses 50,000 square-feet of property on the south side of Bonna Ave. and roughly between Ritter Ave. and Audubon Rd. 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 office space.
The area is part of Irvington’s original downtown, where a rail depot at the northeast corner of Bonna Ave. and Audubon Rd. 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.
In April, the Irvington Development Organization (IDO) announced it had secured a $500,000 grant from the City of Indianapolis to jump-start the Coal Factory development. IDO applied for and secured the grant.
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 is responsible for the build out and leasing of the property.
“We are pleased that the Coal Factory will be able to move forward, as it has the potential to transform the southern part of Irvington,” said Margaret Lawrence Banning, executive director of IDO. “We also are pleased by the level of support and interest neighbors have shown for this project, and look forward to our continued partnership in bringing the Coal Factory to life.”
Currently there are two active businesses on the property. Playground Productions is at 5529 Bonna Ave., Suite 10 and offers private and semi-private music lessons, drum circles, professional recording and CD/DVD production. At 5547 Bonna Ave., Coal Yard Coffee recently opened, offering pour-over coffee most afternoons. There is also an art gallery in the building which is open during the coffee house hours.
The Pennsy Trail, which was approved by the IHPC in August, will front the Coal Factory on the north side of Bonna Ave. The trail’s one block stretch along Bonna Ave. is the only area where the trail will front commercial development, as the remainder of the trail goes through back yards and behind buildings. Work on the trail will begin in spring of 2015.
The Coal Factory construction is slated for completion by September 2015.
