The Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development is once again searching for redevelopment solutions for Old City Hall. The department is offering tours and has opened a new request for proposals for the historic site after the most recent plan fell through.
Megan Vukusich, director of the DMD, said they held their first site walkthrough for developers Monday, with two more tours planned. Vukusich said they want to make it a competitive proposal process and hopes there will be numerous proposals by the deadline on August 28.
“I think our dream scenario would be the building being back into productive use, seeing people in the building using the facility and really celebrating the history and the character of that development,” Vukusich said.
The building is centrally located downtown, within walking distance of Mass Ave., Monument Circle, and the Indianapolis City Market, which is also undergoing redevelopment.
“And so, I think the amenities that surround this space make it a very attractive redevelopment opportunity, not only for the development partner that we're going to select, but really for the city of Indianapolis,” Vukusich said. “So, we want to make sure that we're doing it right and that we've got the right partner at the table.”
Vukusich recognizes that there will be challenges for the developer beyond finding a new purpose for the building. The building has been vacant for a decade and needs many repairs. The cost of construction is expected to be high due to the cost of building materials, the downtown location, and the building's status as a historical site. It was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Mark Dollase, Vice President of Preservation Services at Indiana Landmarks, gave the media a tour of the Old City Hall. He said developers will have to address extensive water and structural damage.
“You can see the water damage that's been caused over time, the building just sitting empty, probably being maintained at a very minimal heat level, and then you start to see that freeze-thaw cycle set in,” Dollase said. “So we're seeing a level of deterioration here that will need to be addressed as part of a rehab.”
The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 in the neoclassical architecture style that was popular and included intricate design elements. Colourful imported marble decorates the building.
The stained-glass ceiling casts its light through the indoor balconies. The whole building is accented with hand-applied plaster trim. All details that potential developers will need to consider.
“Just the fact that all of these decorative details have survived is incredible, and to find the craftsman today in the 21st century who would even have the skill set to do things like this today, it would be extremely rare to find,” Dollase said.
There is still interest in redevelopment, and there is potential for what this space could become. Two previous planned redevelopment plans included hotel and museum concepts.
“I mean, who doesn't come in here and fall in love with this architecture and design,” Dollase said, “restoring what's here, this could be one of the most incredible spaces in the city.”
On the first walkthrough, Vukusich said they had 10 development groups looking at the property and requesting meetings with the department for guidance on potential proposals.
“There's a lot of opportunities as well with the location and, of course, the character that the property brings - the authenticity,” Vukusich said.
Contact Reporter Daniel Huber at dhuber@wfyi.org
