“Around the Corner” from the Indianapolis Recorder’s office, it’s still going down.
Recently the media has been asking questions about what is really going on in Martindale-Brightwood. The problem is, they have not come into the neighborhood to find out. That’s why we do this column; we don’t mind telling you or anyone else that it’s ’bout to get lit in here.
The third portion of a Quality of Life Plan is in the works after community leaders have completed the previous two phases, which included eight years of work in education, health promotions, workforce development, economic development, housing and infrastructure, environment, transit, and crime and safety. This year, residents will vote on and bring to life a two-year continuation plan focused on getting ready for the city’s Great Places 2020 initiative and taking advantage of the benefits offered by being a part of a federally designated Promise Zone.
You’ve read our history. You know we may not be where we or others want us to be, but by the grace of God, the neighborhood is not where we used to be.
Just a year ago in April of 2016, Jason Fechner of WRTV-6 visited the area and penned these words: “After years of fighting to rebuild itself, the Martindale-Brightwood Neighborhood is showing signs of progress. … Those living in the area say they’ve faced their share of challenges from crime and poverty. Now, though, they’re relying on each other and rebounding in a very big way.”
Martindale-Brightwood is full of residents working to create their own renaissance.
Resident and One Voice board member James Wilson got Lowe’s and volunteers on board this past fall to overhaul the Hope Christian Community Center, the former Edna Martin Christian Center.
Across the street from the Hope Christian Community Center, an empty lot is now set to be transformed into a new community garden by kids who are participants in the Felege Hiywot gardening program.
Down the street, librarian Rhonda Oliver is ready to move the Brightwood Library — currently the second smallest branch in the city — from the strip mall where it has been for 40-plus years to a larger space. Plans call for spending $5.9 million to nearly triple the size of the library.
The Martindale Brightwood CDC, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and City-County Council Vice President and Martindale-Brightwood Councilor Zach Adamson hosted the 2016 Economic Sustainability Summit last April, which brought residents and community leaders, included Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, together to be a part of economic recovery. It was said then that “Martindale Brightwood is open for business!”
In June of 2016, Hogsett named Martindale-Brightwood the first Indianapolis Neighborhood of the Month. This was followed by a Martindale-Brightwood/NEAR joint summit bringing together two neighborhoods that are a part of the federally designated Promise Zone.
In 2015, “Environmental Justice and Activism” was copyrighted to chronicle the remediation being done in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood by the federal EPA. The land was made safe as Edna Martin Christian Center acquired the old Jireh Sports facility at 2300 Ralston for its growing youth and senior services division.
Anne Gabbert of United Way of Central Indiana shared the Edna Martin/Jireh story with Duke Realty, and they chose EMCC for their 2016 Annual Day of Service. Two hundred cheerful, hard-working people came together to volunteer and support EMCC with results exceeding all expectations. They came ready to work and brought the necessary supplies from paint, to vacuums, to landscaping tools and heavy-duty equipment.
There are more wonderful stories to share. We’ll share these successes and more with anyone interested. Just come to the neighborhood, look me up and I’ll connect you to the truth about Martindale-Brightwood.
For information or to schedule a visit, contact me at gfears@ednamartincc.org or call (317) 637-3776.
