Long-term Planning

A few years ago, several volunteers began the process of creating a 10 year strategic plan for Woodruff Place. This first-of-its kind plan for the new millenia set the course for infrastructure investments that eventually became some of the guiding ideas for our Economic Improvement District (EID). Leaders identified investment budgets for our five primary historic infrastructure assets: Town Hall, 10th Street Fence, Statues & Urns, Fountains and Streetlights. The estimated total for this work was set at $832,900 by 2023.

Looking back at the goals established in that plan and marking each major achievement along the way is mirroring the larger revitalization process throughout the Near Eastside. Woodruff Place is but a single neighborhood of the 18 or so neighborhoods that make up what is known as the Near Eastside. The borders stretch from the interstate 65/70 interchange on the west, the railroad tracks on the south side of Washington Street, Emerson to the east and interstate 70 to the north. That’s a large area with a population of about 30,000 residents. In the time since the early strategic plan, the Near Eastside Quality of Life plan, which lead to the Indianapolis Super Bowl Legacy Project, Near Eastsiders have been witness to a dramatic improvement in many areas in a relatively short amount of time. However, just like our own aged infrastructure and investments in Woodruff Place, there is still a lot more work to do in the greater neighborhood.

Just now we are starting to see investment from outside the community. Where I used to have my car serviced is turning into one of the most anticipated restaurants in the city. What used to be a massive eye sore (CCIC building), on the verge of falling down, is now Centerpoint Brewery and a maker space and lots of independently owned shops. There’s a protected bike lane on Michigan and on New York. The Mayfair building (next to Burger King on 10th Street) doesn’t have holes in the walls and is on its way to being a new brew pub. Near East Area Renewal recently completed their 100th home renovation in St. Clair Place. One of our IPS schools, Thomas Gregg Elementary, once on the verge of takeover candidacy, is now an innovation school. It’s still part of the IPS system but run independently by Near Eastside community leaders. The federal IndyEast Promise Zone has delivered on its designation, securing over $120m in grant awards for the area in a little over two years.

Every resident who has lived here for the past 5-10 years can see the fruit of this labor and it has created a great deal of excitement around the future. But it’s not a distant future anymore. That future vision identified in plans is right there, on the horizon – but the work isn’t finished. There is room at the table for so many volunteers and so many more projects. There is opportunity for private/public partnership, as we’re seeing with some of the multifamily residential projects going on all around us. There may be an opportunity with the former IREF site in the coming years. The work is not done on the Near Eastside and the work is not done in Woodruff Place. It’s a great time to be here and I can’t imagine myself, or my family, anywhere else.

Woodruff Place Yarners

Originally to be named “ Nasty Women Yarning – Indy”, founder Valerie DeWeese decided to make room for men, though none have taken her up on the offer yet. The group meets every other Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm at 967 East Drive. Bring your favorite yarn and a project and be ready to chat with some of the neighborhood’s favorite nasty women. Pictured left to right: Valerie DeWeese, Julie Tornquist, Theo Tornquist, Debbie Pidgeon, and Jean Hayes.

Young Leaders Put on a Show

Saturday, January 20th was a festive day at Town Hall. One of our veteran volunteers and general mover and shaker, Debbie Pidgeon, created and spearheaded the first Kids Talent Show. “ I wanted to give our kids the chance to experience what it is like to be up on a stage and engage in public speaking. The more opportunities they have to practice when they are young the more comfortable they will be as adults”.
The talent demonstrations ranged from a magician to a show-stopping vocal and pink air-guitar performance. The talent did not stop with the performers. The two youth MCs offered their humor and speaking abilities as they seamlessly guided the audience through the show with grace and humor. Pictured are the youth participants.

Emcees: Paula Hopkins and Peter Certo
Lucy Certo, 8
Marion McConnell, 7
Owen Pritchard, 7
Caroline Smith, 5
Sophia Pidgeon, 6
Kate Certo, 6
Vera McConnell, 9
Sheridan Newcomb, 7

Woodruff Place 101

Woodruff Place 101
I had the pleasure of sitting down with our new Civic League President, Matt Belsaas in January. I was one of the first people to take advantage of the weekly office hours he is now offering to any Woodruffian who wants to get more involved. As I am relatively new as a Woodruff resident and Urban Times contributor – a great excuse to publish a short guide for getting involved in the neighborhood. In months to come I will continue to highlight information that could help current and future active residents contribute to the neighborhood initiatives.

Fundraisers
Every year the neighborhood is responsible for raising around $100,000 to support the neighborhood financial goals and to ensure that our esplanades and Town Hall are looking great and contributing to the Woodruff experience. The following is a list of regularly occurring fundraising events you can participate in.

● Flea Market
● Bi-annual home and garden tour
● Progressive Dinner
● Casino Woodruff

There are many more fundraising initiatives taking place year round, however, if you don’t know much about that you can start by attending one of these fun events lovingly facilitated but our rockstar volunteers. For complete information about fundraising and an organizational break down you can visit https://woodruffplace.org/.

Holidays at Woodruff Place
The first 4th of July I spent with the Woodruff gang was in 2014. I was immediately impressed by the umbrella wielding and lawn chair flaunting that commenced through our streets. The kids were cute too, vying for age group category awards for most festive and patriotic attire and hardware in the parade. The Fountains themselves tell the story of changing seasons and neighborhood caroling is known to take place each year. For our young residents we put on a Halloween party and Easter egg hunt. We are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to plan and execute these fine experiences. Debbie Pidgeon would be a great person to talk to if you want to get involved.

Leaders in Training
If you have young people in your house and would like to instill leadership principles and practice at a young age, you are in good company in this neighborhood. There are virtually endless volunteer opportunities from various fundraiser, cleanups, and other neighborhood initiatives and their facilitators that would gladly utilize the skills and enthusiasm of your young leaders-in-training.

Town Hall Rental
The Woodruff Place Town Hall is available for members to rent for meetings and social functions. This is a fundraising line item, so booking your event is a patriotic thing to do. The space really lends itself to any event that has outgrown your dining and living room. Please visit www.woodruffplace.org for rental information.

Woodrufff Place Website
If you have any questions about who to talk to or want to read bylaws and know event dates, you will likely find your answer on our website, woodruffplace.org.

Where any two or more Woodruffians gather…
Shortly after moving to the neighborhood in 2014 two things became evident to me and my family.

1. Woodruff Residents are leaders
It takes commitment and enthusiasm to sustain the extracurricular activities that uphold the state of Woodruff grounds and bank accounts. The weekly, monthly, and annual activities in the neigborhood are designed and delivered by leaders who are willing to do what is required of them and more to ensure our neighborhood operates and innovates for the greater good of our residents.

2. When two or more Woodruffians gather there will be libations
The traveling keg on the 4th of July, the porch parties, the Town Hall meetings – corks and tabs pop year round. Cheers!

If you want to get more involved with neighborhood happenings and don’t know where to start, I would recommend scheduling your office hours session with Civic League President Matt Belsaas on Thursdays between 12-1pm. You can email him at [email protected] to set that up.

For future neighborhood Urban Times stories and contributions please contact Emily Tornquist [email protected]