Architectural Gem In Indianapolis

2009-11-10

My View: Shine up historic gem, put it to good use
Sanford E. Garner, November 10, 2009, Indianapolis Star

One of my favorite holiday traditions as a kid was watching Santa Claus arrive at the Indiana State Museum via helicopter. It was exciting, of course, to see the big guy in the red suit climb from the chopper and take his place inside this grand, historic building.

You couldn’t help but be in awe when you walked along the marble corridors, or looked at the wall murals, or were inside the 85-foot-tall rotunda with the stained-glass skylight. This is a piece of Indianapolis history, an architectural gem. But the future of this four-story structure built in 1910 now is up in the air.

For more than 50 years, it was home to Indianapolis City Hall, then from 1967 to 2001, the Indiana State Museum, and most recently was the interim Central Library. Now, the building, more than 65,000 square feet, sits empty, and the city isn’t sure what to do with it.

The city is asking for creative ideas on how to use the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Yes, preservation comes with a price. But this is when we need to think beyond the price we pay today, and think instead on the long-range costs and long-range savings.

Indianapolis American Institute of Architects is advocating for a greener Indianapolis, and Mayor Greg Ballard has said he’s committed to greening up our city. Reusing the former City Hall would go a long way toward achieving sustainability. It also could help resolve some challenges facing the city and at the same time restore the building to the same civic space it initially was intended.

Let’s do a space inventory of the city’s needs from offices to courtrooms, and determine how we can make the best use of the space the city has, focusing not only on the number of desks needed, but how we can improve public access to those offices or even courtrooms.

Instead of leasing city office space inside commercial buildings, let’s renovate a portion of the former City Hall to accommodate those offices. There is ample space inside the structure to accommodate large meetings or even small conventions, which could be used for both the public and private sector, adding the potential for income. Imagine a reception under the rotunda, for example.

There is no question that this architectural gem warrants restoration, modernization and ultimately returning this magnificent structure to the public whether for official business or for a holiday celebration.