The Original Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan
The near Eastside saw great success in creating its first Quality of Life plan in 2007. The original plan outlined over 200 action items to be undertaken over the next 10 years.
In 2007, the near Eastside took part in the Greater Indy Neighborhoods Initiative, led by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the City of Indianapolis.
Major plan successes included the development of over 200 units of affordable housing, significant capacity building for Near East Area Renewal, the designation of the IndyEast Promise Zone, the development of the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center, and Thomas Gregg School #15 being incorporated as a neighborhood school.
Action item 1.3.4
Pursue new quality mixed income apartments to make up for the rental units lost by increasing homeownership
Since 2007, over 300 units of affordable housing were developed by Near East Area Renewal, Englewood Community Development Corporation and John Boner Neighborhood Centers. This includes St. Clair Senior Apartments, Parker Place Apartments, Oxford Place Apartments, Oxford Flats and Jefferson Apartments.
Action item 1.1.1
Build capacity of Indy-east Asset Development (I●AD) to successfully lead redevelopment projects and serve as the umbrella CDC for the near Eastside.
Indy-east Asset Development became Near East Area Renewal shortly after the creation of the plan, and has since renovated or built over 100 affordable homes on previously vacant parcels. Additionally NEAR has developed two multi-family apartment buildings for older adults, St. Clair Senior Apartments and the Minnie Hartman Center Apartments.
Action item 3.1.3
Establish neighborhood coordinators at all schools
Today there has been significant progress made on this goal. The John Boner Neighborhood Centers now employees student achievement coordinators at Harshman Middle School, Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School, Urban Act Academy, Brookside Elementary School and Arsenal Technical High School.
Action items 4.1.1 & 4.1.3
Establish a Center for Working Families at the John Boner Neighborhood Centers and promote money management, self sufficiency, increased financial skills for residents and asset building strategies.
Today, Shepherd Community Center and John Boner Neighborhood Centers both have Center’s For Working Families which collectively provide financial support services, including workshops, savings incentives, and one on one counseling, to hundreds of near Eastside neighbors each month.
Action Item 6.2.3
Complete Pogue’s Run trail and explore along Sherman to connect Pogue’s Run, Pleasant Run, and Monon Trails
Led by neighborhood groups including Pathways Over Pogues and Reconnecting to Our Waterways Pogue’s Run Waterway committee this “livability” action item has made significant progress. Although the trail is not yet finalized, the groups have raised funding (over $140,000) for the design of the Nowland Avenue Bridge and are now seeking funds for the construction of the bridge. The repair of the Nowland Avenue Bridge is necessary before the remainder of the trail can be completed.
LATEST NEWS
Quality of Life Plan Update: 2022 Benchmarking Report Q4
Goodbye, 2022, and hello, 2023! A lot of work has been happening on the Near Eastside that has impacted the Quality of Life Plan. See the benchmarking report below for more information on this work […]
Quality of Life Plan Update: 2022 Benchmarking Report Q3
The Near Eastside is quickly nearing the end of 2022 as Quarter 3 wraps up. See the benchmarking report below for more information on this work being done by residents and partners. If you have […]
Quality of Life Plan Update: 2022 Benchmarking Report Q2
Goodbye to 2022 Quarter 2 of the Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan. See the benchmarking report below for more information on this work being done by residents and partners. If you have any questions […]