The Old Centrum is scheduled to close at the end of March,
leaving an uncertain future for the former Central Avenue United Methodist Church at 12th and Central. The 80,000-square-foot
Romanesque Revival structure was built in 1892. Since 1999, it has served as home for 20 nonprofit organizations. But Old
Centrum Foundation, the group that manages the building, doesn't have enough money to keep it open, said Marie Beason, the
foundation's executive director. The Foundation is working with Bob Bates of BB Construction Management to secure the building's
roof, masonry and windows until another use is found. The group put about $1.5 million into a renovation several years ago.
It would take between $8 million and $10 million to return the building "to its original glory," Beason said. They are looking
for a partner interested in redevelopment. Any ideas?
- Home
- NEWS
- REGIONAL
- THIS WEEK'S PAPER
- BLOGS
- Multimedia
- OPINION
- A&E
- LISTS
- PEOPLE
- EVENTS
- Classifieds
- Subscribe
Welcome to Property Lines, Indy's source for neighborhood real estate news. Your host is Scott Olson, IBJ's real estate beat
reporter. Edited by Cory Schouten.
The Old Centrum is scheduled to close at the end of March,
leaving an uncertain future for the former Central Avenue United Methodist Church at 12th and Central. The 80,000-square-foot
Romanesque Revival structure was built in 1892. Since 1999, it has served as home for 20 nonprofit organizations. But Old
Centrum Foundation, the group that manages the building, doesn't have enough money to keep it open, said Marie Beason, the
foundation's executive director. The Foundation is working with Bob Bates of BB Construction Management to secure the building's
roof, masonry and windows until another use is found. The group put about $1.5 million into a renovation several years ago.
It would take between $8 million and $10 million to return the building "to its original glory," Beason said. They are looking
for a partner interested in redevelopment. Any ideas?
Sponsored by
ADVERTISEMENT
-
Ameriana Bank took over Westfield Farmers Market for 2013 and it is held in their parking lot, corner of 32 and Carey road, 5 to 8. I am selling soap and candles there. great market!
-
B&T certainly has enough of our taxpayer dollars to do this thanks to Mayor Ballard. Given the firm's exceedingly poor reputation in the legal community, the basement would seem a better option.
-
Should read MAY hire 20 people.
-
Not a good location for a 300,000 home. 10th Street fumes, buses, noise. Max for this location 150,000.
-
The state constitution also does not say that the majority has a right to quorum, nor that the minority is required to allow them quorum. In fact, denial of quorum has been a parliamentary maneuver since the establishment of the first parliaments in the early 1600s. The right to deny quorum (and the requirement fore quorum) are to prevent exactly what happened in Indiana: A tyrannical majority pushing through odious, objectionable legislation. Denial of quorum is totally legitimate, and lest we forget, a tactic the GOP has employed many, many times to ensure their issues weren't given short shrift. By allowing the majority to impose "fines" on the minority for exercising the authority the constitution grants them (to deny quorum,) they are violating the constitution.
ADVERTISEMENT
Back to TopCopyright © All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.
Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing.
Additional Hosting & Delivery by
IBJ Conversations
38 Comments
Add Comment
I think it would be a great community center. There are many rooms/offices that could be used as classrooms for tutoring, there is a gymnasium that could be used for sports, and the main part of the church is still beautiful and could still be rented for weddings. I think there's also a working organ still in there as well.
I feel sorry for the community based organizations that have to deal with this...it's too good to demolish, and too challenged to find an easy re-use.
Perhaps an entrepreneurial new mega-church wants to be in the heart of Indianapolis instead of the suburbs?
Look, my mom got married to her first husband in this church, but if it cannot provide a purpose that allows it to pay its own maintenance costs, and no community or church organization sees it fit to raise money to save, then it probably should get converted into whatever purpose best serves the area. Demanding that the structure be left as is or restored will only cause it to stay its current course, which is decay. Sometimes we have to let the buildings we love go when it is their time, and now might be the Old Church's time.
It's the character of structures like this and the vision of the historic preservation
zealots that keep downtown and especially the Old North Side the truly
interesting and unique places they are. If we wanted new, drywall-clad,
cookie-cutter construction with an architectural style that only tries to
emulate (but never really does) a structure like this we'd all move to Carmel.
A good re-use of the building? I have no idea. . . .but suggesting that
it's time (for this building) to go is crazy.
Is it time for Indianapolis culture to go?
Such systems have led to the loss of our court house, english hotel, and much of the historic milesquare. These structures are what make Indy, Indy! This structure will be a marvel for decades to come while most new structures will shortly become eyesores due to lack of timeless detailing and methods.
I think healthy and vibrant communities need more than condos and first floor retail. I a thriving urban core is incomplete without places of worship. Many of the churches that are now being turned into condos played a significant role in the community and I think it's plausible that some of the suburban mega churches would have an interest in reestablishing a presence in the city.
hope someone cleans it up and makes it nice again
Maybe a Don's Guns? New Jail?
Santa Land was held here everyyear as well. I hope they can continue to have it there.
I'm not Helen, but I can answer: Methodist Hospital was founded because of leftover funds from a church conference held there.
How about extending the downtown viaduct and creating parking under the Interstate?
Or a transit-oriented church? They could create an express bus from Fishers (ICE Sunday) for suburban members who want an authentic Inner City Worship Experience before Colts games and trips to Circle Centre or Sunday Brunch.
That's the ticket: a Conner Prairie style historic religious experience for suburban churchgoers! A real church, with real stained glass, soaring vaulted roof, pews, an organ, and no video screen!
If so, I've always enjoyed looking out the car window to see that roof, for some reason. It's kind of like a landmark.
There is not the population density for a community center, another non-profit theater, or church. If not, Tony has the right idea.
Yes, that is the CENTRUM.
www.oldcentrum.org