Thanks to overwhelming community response to a recent fundraiser event, a 110-year-old commercial building at 5502 E. Washington St. that originally housed the Irvington Post Office is one step closer to being restored. Hosted by Irvington Development Organization (IDO) and the Irvington Historical Society (IHS), partners in the acquisition and eventual redevelopment of the building, the April event, entitled Save the Irvington Post Office, raised an impressive $12,000 through the generous donations of Irvington-area business owners and residents.
“We wanted to throw together a little event to raise awareness and funds for the building’s renovation,” said Margaret Lawrence Banning, executive director of IDO. “It was going to be a low-ticket, low-key fundraiser with live music, refreshments and a cash bar, and we thought we’d raise maybe $3,000. But, we received an overwhelming response from the Irvington community. Everybody pitched in.”
It started with local band Marc & Friends, featuring IHS board member Paul Diebold, donating its services for the night, followed by Q Artistry Theater in the Irvington Lodge building offering to host it. Neighborhood businesses made financial contributions as well. Reverie Estates and Axia Urban—local developers specializing in the redevelopment of historic properties—both came forth with significant donations to the cause.
“It’s very telling how Reverie Estates and Axia Urban know a thing or two about restoring old buildings and have been such great supporters to this effort,” Lawrence Banning said. “They know what it takes, and they’ve stepped up to help us.”
Another key contributor to the event was popular east side eatery Papa Roux Po-Boys & Cajun Food, which helped boost attendance by offering a free po-boy sandwich coupon with each ticket purchased. More than 100 people attended the event, which offered craft beer from Irvington microbrewery Black Acre Brewing Co., and food from Mac Genie and Chef Dan’s Southern Comfort food trucks. IDO and IHS were thrilled with the turnout and money raised for this noble project.
“It was a spirited event, and it gave neighbors an opportunity to come together for a fun evening and help save the oldest commercial building in Irvington’s Washington Street corridor,” Lawrence Banning said. “Whenever you’re talking about old buildings in Irvington—and there’s Black Acre beer involved— you can count on your friends and neighbors coming to the rescue. We know how important that building is to our community’s history and to the present wellbeing of the business district, and we’re happy that so many of our neighbors are behind us.”
IDO and IHS formed a limited liability corporation (LLC) and purchased the two-story, 2,400-square-foot building last December through a $120,000 loan from Citizen’s Energy Group. Since then, IDO has worked to secure funds for stabilizing the building. At this point, the building has a large hole in the roof and other issues that need immediate attention. A $10,000 grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and a $5,000 grant from Indiana Landmarks have been secured, and a matching grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology for $50,000 is in the works to restore the original storefront facade. LISC will also provide another $100,000 loan to complete the first phase of the building’s rehabilitation.
IDO is currently looking for parties interested in buying or leasing the building, as well as more donations toward the renovation. For more information, contact Margaret Lawrence Banning at [email protected].
About Irvington Development Organization
Irvington Development Organization, founded in 2002, aims to preserve Irvington’s historic charm while promoting positive growth along the East Washington Street corridor and throughout the neighborhood. Irvington is a historic community on the East Side of Indianapolis known for its winding, tree-lined streets and architecturally significant homes and businesses.
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For more information, contact:
Margaret Lawrence Banning
Executive Director
Irvington Development Organization
317.260.0669
[email protected]