Black Mountain redevelopment ideas sought

A brownfield on Indianapolis’ east side is ready for new life. The ongoing cleanup and redevelopment of the former Black Mountain has been years in the making.

A large mountain of dark foundry sand sat for decades on a site owned by Chrysler. Neighbors complained as the environmental hazard blew into yards and contaminated water sources. 

Now the city has almost completed the cleanup of the 12 acre Black Mountain site and the Department of Metropolitan Development has a campaign to engage residents in the process of redeveloping the site.

DMD Administrator Piers Kirby said residents gave input at a recent open house.

“And that ranged residential and green space to municipal uses and commercial uses,” Kirby said.

A survey, in English or Spanish, is open to residents through May 30.

Kirby said all ideas are welcome.

“Right now it’s a blank slate so it obviously has environmental issues that would have to be factored into any redevelopment proposals,” Kirby said.

More than $1 million in insurance proceeds helped clean up the site. An Environmental Protection Agency grant also helped in the process.

The foundry sand was used by the city as fill material during construction of the new Community Justice Campus.

The location is close to the CJC where other redevelopment efforts are underway.