A ribbon cutting ceremony has become the traditional photo opportunity for leaders and public officials celebrating the opening of a new building. But recently, local and state leaders dispensed the tradition when marking the opening of 16 Park, a $34 million affordable housing development on the city’s Near Northside.
Housing officials and community leaders commemorated the moment instead with a tastier option, cutting a cake from a locally-owned bakery shaped like the new 16 Park building with a yellow ribbon adorned on top.
This move to stray from the norm is representative of the approach Indy housing leaders took with financing and building the new 16 Park on the corner of 16th Street and Park Avenue.
“We’re all familiar with the stereotypes of what typically constitutes public and affordable housing. Our goal was to transcend those negative images with 16 Park,” said Rod Morgan, board chairman of Insight Development, the non-profit development arm of the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA). “From incorporating green design features to integrating 16 Park with the rest of the neighborhood – we wanted this development to represent a new era in affordable housing in Indianapolis.”
This “new era” is evident in the sustainable, state-of-the-art design elements featured in the first 29 rental units that opened Oct. 14 as part of phase one of 16 Park. These include:
• One of the largest residential green roofs in the city.
• Rain gardens that surround the complex to manage stormwater runoff (similar to those used in the Indianapolis Cultural Trail).
• New, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.
• Contemporary urban design that physically connects the building and residents with the surrounding neighborhood.
• Spacious, modern floor plans.
• An above-ground parking garage for residents.
16 Park is part of a massive, $123 million capital campaign by the Indianapolis Housing Agency aimed at improving local affordable housing communities across Indianapolis. 16 Park will total 155 rental units when all three phases are complete in 2012. More than 85 units will be public and Section 8 housing while the balance will be set aside as affordable housing for low-income families and individuals.
“16 Park is a key part of our plan to greatly invest in the quantity and quality of affordable housing in Indianapolis,” said IHA Executive Director Rufus “Bud” Myers. “Our goal is to not only build great housing, but ensure these investments are a driving force for economic growth in local neighborhoods.
Myers pointed to the significant money being spent by IHA to improve local neighborhood infrastructure as part of the 16 Park development, including:
• The renovation and transformation of a former public school building into new community space.
• The revitalization of Kennedy/King Park and the creation of a new entrance off of Park Avenue so that this historic amenity integrates more with the neighborhood.
On hand at the 16 Park grand opening were several neighborhood business owners, including Trish McGath from 111 Cakery, which supplied the cake for the ceremony.
“16 Park is one of those landmark developments that can spark even more opportunity for the community,” said McGath. “As a business owner, that makes me excited for what’s ahead for this neighborhood. There is certainly a lot of positive momentum.”
State officials said they expect the impact of 16 Park to be a positive and lasting one.
“We are pleased to partner with IHA to bring to life their vision of 16 Park, which is a true example of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization,” said Sherry Seiwert, executive director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. “These units are affordable, smartly designed, and high quality. They’ll have a dramatic impact on this neighborhood, allowing residents to not only remain, but begin here in their community of choice.”
