Fall Creek Place A HUD Recognized Homeownership Zone in Indianapolis

This is the second post of an ongoing series geared to provide more information about Indianapolis and its neighborhoods. 

Photo to the left is on Pennsylvania Street and currently for sale (FC Tucker).  Listing history states that this home was once owned by James Whitcomb Riley.  The famous poet never lived in this home but owned it and rented it out at one time.  (James Whitcomb Riley's resting spot.)

Fall Creek Place, a historic neighborhood near downtown Indianapolis is a model neighborhood of re-vitalization.  It's boundaries consist of Pennsylvania Street on the West, Park Avenue on the East, Fall Creek Parkway on the North, and 22nd Street to the South.  Consisting of 26 blocks that were once known for its boarded homes excessive crime and gun fire.  Like many of the older neighborhoods of Indianapolis, by the 1950's as many people moved to the suburbs, Fall Creek Place found itself neglected and in much disrepair.  Due to the deterioration, it was given the name "Dodge City."

In 2001, city efforts started to redevelop the area began that included more than 26 city blocks over 160 acres, and upon completion will provide nearly 400 new home-ownership opportunities through both new construction and rehabilitation of vacant homes.  Future components of Fall Creek Place will include a neighborhood retail center and construction of nine live and work loft-style condominiums.  A flexible residential alternative with a commercial storefront on the ground floor, and a residential unit above.    In 2003, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban awarded Indianapolis with a Home-ownership Zone Award for the way the city used a $4 million HUD grant to stimulate other public and private investment in the Fall Creek Place redevelopment.

The city's latest plan is for a phase four that will take in parts of Broadway Street and College Avenue and add up to 120 new and rehabbed homes.  There are design codes for homes that are built in this area.  The photo to the left is an example of a home built in 2003. 

The various styles of homes are Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Arts and Crafts. There are also many new homes.

To view pictures of the before and after on homes in this revitalization area visit Fall Creek Place Homeowners Association.  These two pictures are included with 28 other photos.  It truly is amazing at what has been accomplished.  Another informative site is the Historic Landmarks Foundation.  It has information about Historic Landmarks throughout Indiana.  If you are considering a home in this area, please visit http://cyndisloop4indyhomes.com for more information about Indianapolis.  Look for my next post on another historic neighborhood in Indianapolis.