INDIANAPOLIS — City officials announced Monday that they are demolishing eight vacant buildings in December at Towne and Terrace.
Towne and Terrace is a townhome complex that was built in the 1960s, and once stood as a neighborhood staple for Indianapolis’ far eastside.
The demolition marks the next phase in the process to address "longstanding health and safety issues" at the complex, officials said.
City officials said the demolition follows an order by a receiver appointed by the Indiana Court of Appeals following a years-long legal battle and subsequent settlement between the city and Towne and Terrace Corp, which is the complex's homeowners' association.
Under the order, officials said they were tasked with acquiring all remaining "non-city-owned properties" at the complex, relocating Towne and Terrace residents to "safe and sanitary," and carrying out a plan for demolition and redevelopment.
"After several decades of persistent neglect by various former HOA leaders and an uptick in illegal drug activity and violence, the quality of life for residents and the surrounding community began to decline," city officials said in a news release.
City officials said one building was demolished starting in April 2023, and eight additional buildings will be demolished starting Monday, Dec. 16. The remaining 23 buildings will be demolished by early 2026.
Once demolition of the entire site is complete, the redevelopment process that began following the demolition of the nearby Oaktree Apartments will continue to move forward.
The city hired a team to help relocate residents. So far, officials said they have relocated 100 households and continue to coordinate relocation with the remaining 20 households. The city expects full relocation for those households by spring 2025.
One of those residents is Liz Duren, who is the Towne and Terrace HOA President.
She lived at the complex for 35 years but says it’s time for a new beginning.
"It's bittersweet,” Duren said. “It has to be done though. This has to come down. There are no ifs, ands or buts. It's beyond remodeling.”
She even got to keep one of the bricks from the demolition. <PHOTO IN TEAMS>
"This is important, and I hope they can repurpose as many of these bricks as possible,” she said.
Indianapolis currently owns 239 of the 258 parcels at Towne and Terrace, and many of the remaining 19 parcels are vacant and haven't been acquired from private owners.
More than $14.4 million has been poured into this project, officials said.
“We recognize that Towne and Terrace was once home to many. It was a place where memories were made and children grew up — but over time, it became a place of violence and a source of pain,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Between acquiring properties, assisting residents with relocation, and now demolishing eight derelict buildings, multiple City agencies are committed to helping breathe new life into this Far Eastside neighborhood.”
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