Brick by brick, my fellow citizens. Brick by brick. — Emperor Hadrian
For many years, eastsiders have driven past the old RCA plant at the corner of Michigan and Sherman and wondered what would become of the crumbling buildings and weed-choked lot. Last year, the City demolished the buildings on the property, and work behind the scenes began to re-envision the property. Federal and local authorities, east side community development experts, and enthusiastic neighbors have contributed their voices over the last several months in many meetings. On August 7, Mayor Joe Hogsett, DMD Director Emily Mack, and Develop Indy Director Ian Nicolini stood on the property, now called Sherman Park, and unveiled the reuse plan.
The 50-acre brownfield site was formerly home to RCA at Michigan Street and Sherman Drive, and in its heyday employed 5,000 people. Part of the property was developed in 1921 by Westinghouse, where light bulbs were made. In 1930, the company sold it to RCA, where the company began manufacturing radio and audio equipment, plus records (it pressed most of Elvis Presley’s 45s in the 1950s). However, as manufacturing moved out into the suburbs, then out of the country, RCA closed the plant in 2000. A few businesses moved into the aging buildings, including RecycleForce, in the early 2000s, but moved out. An investment company thought it had potential for redevelopment, but after discovering contamination on the property, let it sit vacant. The city acquired it in 2012 for past taxes, and set to work trying to figure out what to do with the huge space. Last year, the city began demolishing the buildings on the property to ready it for redevelopment.
After months of meetings, planning, discussion, and more meetings, the Sherman Park Reuse Plan developed. Spearheaded by the city in cooperation with Develop Indy, NEAR, the EPA, nearby neighborhood associations, and local businesses, the plan calls for mixed use development, with the bulk of the property devoted to manufacturing and light industrial uses. Issues with contaminated groundwater in the middle of the property, which will take about two years to remediate, need to be addressed, but officials noted that development could begin around the contained groundwater.
Develop Indy Director Ian Nicolilni noted that there is already buzz about the project. “I’ve probably given out the Web site address more than I have business cards lately. It’s a project that is attracting attention.” He was particularly excited about the potential for jobs and opportunities that will likely trickle through the neighborhoods near the project.
A commercial component to the plan would front Michigan Street, while multifamily residential would be available in the parts of the property that are uncontaminated. In addition, the city looks to build an access road that follows the rail line on the western part of the property to allow easier large truck access for potential new businesses as well as existing businesses. Green space for a park will be reserved for the northwestern part of the property that abuts existing homes.
RecycleForce has already committed to building a new recycling facility on the northeast side of the property, returning to its roots, so to speak. The nonprofit provides training and transition services to ex-offenders and recycling electronics that would otherwise end up in landfills. The facility will cost an estimated $10 million. Currently the facility is headquartered on Roosevelt Ave. on the near eastside.
If completed as planned, the property is estimated to bring about 450-575 jobs to the area in both the commercial and industrial areas. Another 200 multifamily units will be brought into the neighborhood on the south side of Michigan Street, backing up to the Minnie Hartmann senior housing redevelopment.
For more information about the new plans, visit www.shermanparkplan.com.
