Closed Sales - Meridian Street Foundation

MERIDIAN STREET FOUNDATION
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w w w. m e r i d i a n s t r e e t f o u n d a t i o n . n e t
fa l l / w i n t e r 2 0 11
President’s message
Our
year
began
with
an
envisioning
session,
facilitated
by Kathy Shorter of Midtown
Indianapolis, Inc. and members of
the MSF board. Our focus was determined to be crime watch, public
safety and transit, beautification
and parks, Heritage of MSF, Land
Use (improvement of land use
opportunities
and
restrictions),
neighborhood outreach (improve
participation in social events),
membership and communications.
We are aware of the Meridian Street
Construction Project and suggest that
PATIENCE is the key and the “devil
is in the details” for neighbors to
report their concerns. We provided
a comprehensive summary of the
process in the summer newsletter
with contact phone numbers for your
convenience to praise or complain.
This year we have lost Catherine
Moore and Shirley Privitis of IMPD,
who have been constant contacts
for Crime Watch and Community
Policing. We express our sympathy
to their families. Our new contact is
Sergeant Alan T. Leinberger, IMPD
(317-327-6100) (pager 317-971-2911)
for Crimewatch.
The Land Use Committee, led by Len
Pilarski, Vice President of MSF, has
advised on numerous applications
to the Meridian Street Preservation
by Sheila P. Little, President
Commission (MSPC). He notes that
2011 has seen the construction of the
first new house in about 15 years at
4821 N. Meridian Street. In work
with Nancy and Gary Whitaker,
applications for improvement are
posted as a link from the MSF website
to enable all interested parties to see
what is happening, 24/7. There is
a way to report violations and view
FAQs information on our website
as well.
We have published three newsletters
this year by our editor Kristy
Sherman. We need more ads to
support our effort. We have attempted
e-newsletters as well.
Our membership committee, chaired
by Kathy Williams, has sought to
obtain membership and at least 122
of the 700 homes in the area have
participated. Our existence depends
on our membership contributions.
In terms of Beautification, we would
like to note the award given to Jennifer
and Rob Sloan for the “Old House
Rehabilitation Award” from Indiana
Landmarks (from Angie’s List) for
the preservation of their property.
They used the actual Jens Jensendesigned garden plans (recovered
from archives at the University of
Michigan) for the property at 4936
N. Meridian Street. More than 1,500
trees and plants were planted and
paths and fountains were created.
While we are exhilarated with the
groundbreaking for the Alice Carter
Park, we are saddened that the
Edward Pierre dedicated tennis house
was demolished recently at 40th and
Meridian. We, as neighbors, have
to try to be aware of historically
significant houses and structures
in our neighborhood and report
any demolition plans to the Indiana
Landmarks and the Indiana Historic
Preservation Commission or the
Mayor’s Action Center.
The most exciting event for us was
the inclusion of our neighborhood
by Forbes Magazine as one of the ten
“prettiest neighborhoods in America”
2011. Follow link below for full story
and pictures. (http://www.forbes.
com/sites/johngiuffo/2011/09/22/
americas-prettiest-neighborhoods/)
We will conclude our year with
Holiday decorations and luminaries.
On the Friday after Thanksgiving,
we bring back an old tradition as we
present luminaries from 40th and
Meridian to Westfield Boulevard.
This will take the assistance of many.
If you wish to volunteer, please let us
know. The Holiday greeneries will be
posted as well.
Happy Holidays!
Reminder: If you want to display signs, please place them in your yard and not
in the boulevard (area between sidewalk and street). Placing signs in boulevards
is a traffic hazard and is a violation of municipal Indianapolis code. Be aware
that Code Enforcement may remove these signs and may discard them without
warning. Thank you for your cooperation.
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SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LOCAL HISTORY IS LOST
In October, the Indianapolis Parks Department
demolished the Tarkington Park shelter designed by
Edward Pierre. Because the shelter stood just outside the
primary boundaries of the Meridian Street Preservation
Commission the parks department did not have to seek
a certificate of appropriateness or a variance for the
demolition of the building, and the case was never brought
to the commission.
The loss of this building, constructed in 1957, is being
rightfully lamented by preservationists. Not only was it the
work of one of Indianapolis’ most prominent architects, it
was an elegant, modernist design that should have been
appreciated for its clean, low-on-the-horizon lines and
extensive use of glass, virtually eliminating visual barriers
between those inside the building and the park views
outside.
Edward Pierre’s work with partner George Caleb Wright
included Bush Stadium and the Indiana State Library
(both listed on the National Register of Historic Places),
numerous residences, including ground-breaking ideas
in affordable housing as well as beautiful upscale homes,
and cutting-edge commercial buildings. After the Pierre
and Wright partnership dissolved, Pierre continued to do
important architectural work in his city and he crafted the
master plan for downtown development in 1953.
Edward Pierre’s design for the low-profile building, which
would enhance Tarkington Park but not become its focal
point, unfortunately meant that over time the building
virtually disappeared to the eyes of Indianapolis. But even
a little research on the part of the parks department could
have turned up information that should have saved it.
The original drawings for the shelter are available online
in the Ball State digital archives. This was a significant
building. It might have been significant enough to have
been listed one day on the National Register of Historic
Places for its classic mid-century architecture, the work of
a master architect. But, like many other mid-20th Century
buildings in Indianapolis, it met the wrecking ball before
that destiny could be fulfilled.
2
by Connie Zeigler, M.A.,
C Resources, Inc.
Courtesy of Vess Von Ruhtenberg
Tarkington Tennis Shelter architectural rendering, 1957, b/w negative,
Drawings + Documents Archive, Archives and Special Collections,
Ball State University Libraries
Editor’s Note: Connie served as the Meridian Street Preservation
Commission (MSPC) staff member from 2007 through 2010.
Get News Updates – Stay Informed
Since our Meridian Street Foundation newsletter is
published only three times a year, there are many activities
and announcements that occur between publications that
are of interest to many MSF residents. In order for us
to share this interim news, MSF periodically sends mass
email messages (with your email address only visible to
you and MSF) and an occasional CallingPost™ phone
message.
As a resident in the MSF area, we need your help in
gathering contact information and keeping it current.
by Nancy Whitaker
Please contact Nancy Whitaker, Database Committee
Chair (259-0978; [email protected]) and provide
her with your name along with the email address(es)
and phone number(s) at which you want to receive these
updates. Be assured this information will be used only
by MSF and your information will be kept confidential.
Remember that you may opt out of receiving these
messages at any time if desired. Thank you for helping
us to improve our communications throughout the
neighborhood.
North Meridian Street Shines in the National Spotlight
by
Kristy Sherman
Last month, Forbes.com included Indianapolis’ North
Meridian Street Historic District on its list of “America’s
Prettiest Neighborhoods”. The piece remarked how
beautiful an old neighborhood can be when it is “wellpreserved” and recognized the Meridian Street Preservation
Commission (founded in 1971) for limiting commercial
development and being instrumental in keeping the
homes looking much the same way they did when they
were built; some over 80 years ago. View the full story
and a list of America’s other “prettiest neighborhoods”
at http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngiuffo/2011/09/22/
americas-prettiest-neighborhoods/.
Real estate roundup
by G.B. Landrigan, Realtor
Statistics from 1/1/11 to 10/31/11.
Num. of Homes For Sale
Pending Sales
Closed Sales
Median Sales Price
Average Sales Price
MeridianPennsylvania Illinois Cross-Streets
114 33
10 02
913 712
775,000360,000 315,000308,950
867,738403,492 359,286346,763
Landscape Design & Patio Install
20% OFF
25% OFF
Landscape Design &
Patio Install
15% OFF
3
Urban Survival Tips:
Being Street Smart Gives Trees an Edge on Surviving in the Big City
The average survival rate for a tree planted in
a downtown area is just seven years. When you
broaden the scope to include all urban trees the
average rises to 32 years, but is still significantly
lower than that of rural trees, which average a
lifetime of 160 years.
“We’ve got to do a better job of preservation,”
says Tim McDonnell, community forestry program
coordinator for the Kansas Forest Service. Urban
development tends to focus on how many trees are
planted instead of looking at the more important
number: how many trees survive. “Many times, they
plant trees and leave, but then those trees don’t get
cared for. They have to get that care after planting if
they are going to survive,” he says.
McDonnell, who assists communities with the
management of their urban canopies, recognizes that
urban development is often lopsided when it comes
to funding structures (the gray) vs. city landscapes
(the green). “Ideally, there should be integration of
gray and green. The gray gets all the funding, but we
need more green,” he says.
With fewer dollars, it’s critical that the trees that are
planted survive; otherwise, the cityscape so carefully
planned will never be realized, giving way to even more
gray. But growing trees in an urban environment is often
challenging, especially in small areas that don’t provide
adequate space for proper landscape design. And even
with the best designs, urban trees have a greater potential
for stress (from construction, pollution and other external
factors) that rural trees never encounter and that can
compromise growth. In such a harsh environment, trees
need every advantage they can get to survive, much less
thrive.
Better by design
It’s difficult enough for a tree to adapt to an urban
environment, but its chances for survival decrease when
there isn’t sufficient soil capacity or when the trees have
stiff competition for water and nutrients.
“I’m not a big fan of pit-planted trees (a 3’ x 3’ hole in the
sidewalk). Give trees a planting area instead of a planting
hole,” advises McDonnell. “Mass plants together in one
area where they can share a rooting area.”
4
by Cindy Ratcliff
Wider medians and larger areas of green space are some
ways to ensure that you can provide trees with optimum
soil volume. Instead of a number of small green areas in a
design, opt instead for just a few large areas. It will be more
impactful and provide a much better growing environment
for the plants, says McDonnell.
“Trees between the sidewalk and curb is just not a good
idea,” agrees Stuart Warren, Ph.D, head of the Department
of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreational Resources at
Kansas State University. “For a tree to survive, we have to
give it room for a root system.”
Contrary to popular belief, a tree’s roots don’t run deep;
rather, they run wide. It’s this width that requires a large
volume of soil, explains Warren. “The root system is oneand-a-half to three times the radius of the tree’s canopy,”
with the fibrous roots (the ones that take up the nutrients)
being in the upper 6 inches of the soil.
“The more exploitable soil volume, the larger the tree will
get,” Warren says. “If you want smaller trees, limit the soil
volume.”
Tough turf
The big picture
Trees have many practical benefits. They sequester air pollution. They provide
shade to roadbeds, which prolongs the life of asphalt. But they also have
psychological benefits that have been documented.
• The presence of nature in urban areas is restorative for human well-being
(Ulrich 1979, Kaplan 1984).
• Tree plantings can reduce crime (Donovan 2010, Sullivan 1993).
• When trees are planted along a highway, traffic goes slower than if there are no
trees (Godley et al. 1999; Rosenblatt Naderi et al. 2006).
Sources: Tim McDonnell, Kansas Forest Service, and Greg Davis, Kansas State
University
In an ideal environment,
trees would not be forced to
compete with other plants for
water and nutrients. This is
often impractical for the urban
environment, but the experts
agree that you can limit the
competition by isolating the
trees as much as possible.
“Early on, when planted, a tree
cannot outcompete turf,” says
Warren. Instead of surrounding
(continued on page 5)
Honoring a Local Preservationist
The flagpole plaza at Herron High School was dedicated
in honor of Dr. James Sabens on October 21, 2011.
The plaza, which was made possible
by funds from student projects and
from friends and family of the late Dr.
Sabens, was a gift from the class of
2010.
Dr. Sabens was a long-time member
and past president of the Meridian Street
Foundation and served on the Meridian
Street Preservation Commission. His
passion for preservation wasn’t limited
to his historic neighborhood; it found
its way to this small classic high school,
located at 16th and Pennsylvania
Ave, because of what it does for this
community.
“Jim was always interested in historic
preservation; not just of buildings
and structures but also of people. He
always regretted learning of families’
moving out of the neighborhood
in order to find more acceptable
educational opportunities. He felt this took away vigor
and contributions which neighborhoods sorely need.
Now with Herron High School and School 84 CFI
by Kristy Sherman
we are seeing an influx of vital family units into our
neighborhoods” states his wife, Peggy.
Members of the Indiana National
Guard, representatives from the class
of 2010 and the Sabens family as well
as the entire student body of Herron
High School were on hand for the
dedication ceremony.
Jim was a practicing family physician
from 1959 to 1998 in Scottsburg then
in Indianapolis, as well as serving his
country as company surgeon during
the Vietnam War. He had numerous
professional affiliations including:
AMA,
Indiana
State
Medical
Association, Marion County Medical
Society, and was on the staffs of three
local hospitals. In addition to his
previously stated interest in historic
preservation, he had many other
interests such as; history, reading,
financial investments, gardening and
bridge. He was also a devoted sports
fan and enjoyed all of our city’s sports teams and events
particularly the Butler basketball teams.
Urban Survival Tips: (continued from page 4)
a tree with turf, use mulch. “Mulch protects the roots and
does not compete. In situations where you can, go all the
way to the dripline with the mulch,” he says. If you can’t
do that, “even a diameter of 4 feet will benefit the tree.”
But don’t overmulch and heap it around the tree’s trunk.
“Mulch is good, but it’s not a tomb,” he says. As the tree
size increases, also increase the mulch radius.
Ganging up
Group trees and landscape ornamentals together in
a way that is beneficial to their requirements but also
aesthetically pleasing.
“We tend to space things out to mature growth, but
think about forest landscapes. There is no even spacing
and there are layers of plants. This cools the root system
and helps prevent weeds. Trees are close together. This
makes them grow taller, faster, as they stretch to the light,”
says Greg Davis, Ph.D., associate professor of landscape
design at Kansas State University.
Grouping trees in this manner can also protect them
from elemental stresses (like sun scald and wind) as well
as environmental ones (human interference).
Ultimately, says Davis, for urban trees and landscapes to
be sustainable, they must be:
• functional
• maintainable
• environmentally sound
• cost-effective and
• visually pleasing
“We need to plant more trees but do a better job so they
actually survive,” says McDonnell. “Let’s stop counting the
trees we plant and start counting the ones that survive.”
Editor’s Note: This article was reprinted with permission from
the Indiana LTAP Center.
Trees worth trying
Trees offer a diverse range of interesting features. You
can choose a tree based on its spring flower, fruit,
cones, berries, bark interest, fall color, form and
architecture. If you’re having a hard time narrowing
down you selection, Tim McDonnell, Kansas Forest
Service, recommends these trees (all appropriate for
Indiana’s hardiness zone):
Japanese Zelkova (a good street tree)
White Oak
Emerald Sunshine Elm
Accolade Elm
Sergeant Crabapple
Kentucky Coffeetree
Chinkapin Oak
American Smoketree
Bur Oak (no fall color, though)
Water Oak
Upright Hackberry
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Membership as of september 15, 2011
by Kathy Williams
Thank you to our many members at all levels of support. Your donations are essential in allowing Meridian Street
Foundation (MSF) to fulfill its mission and goals. We have many committed neighbors/volunteers working all year
round to preserve, connect, and showcase this community; and your generous financial contributions certainly help to
make this happen. If you are not yet a member, or notice that your membership has lapsed, consider joining today using
the enclosed envelope; or, beginning this month you may conveniently renew online (www.meridianstreetfoundation.
net). Thank you, again, for your support of our wonderful historic neighborhood! If you have questions regarding
membership or would like to serve on the membership committee please feel free to contact me, Kathy Williams,
Membership Chair at 255.5305 or [email protected]. Membership Committee: Telene Edington and Jim
Hardee
Sustaining Level
($225-$325)
Scott Bruins and Marilyn Bull
Neal Rothermel and Mandy
Moore
Chris and Ann Stack
Gretchen Wolfram
Benefactor Level
($100-$200)
Raul Barciaga and Darryl Pebbles
Anthony Batch and Michael
Schmidt
Greg Bauwens and Emily
Walvoord
David and Alice Berger
Brian and Kathleen Bigelow
Ron and Ann Brock
Douglas and Constance Brown
Joyce Butterworth
Bill and Mary Jo Campbell
Bill Connor and Telene Edington
Jeff and Dana Cooper
Bruce and Denise Cordingley
John and Michi Countryman
Steve and Kris Duncan
Jay Elbrecht and Josh Salyer
D.R. and Cherie Foley
A. Bernard Frechtman
John and Ceci Goodman
Rich and Susan Graffis
Bob and Carol Harper
Bill and Patty Hirsch
James and Sarah Johnston
Alan and Anne Kimbell
John and Elaine Klein
Richard and Roxanne Kovacs
Gina Laite and Anantha Shekhar
Allen and Marsha Langdon
Monroe and Sheila Little
Martin and Nancy Logan
Kevin and Stacey McCarthy
Gaylon Melton and Len Pilarski
Elliott and Estelle Nelson
Charles and Jane Otto
Andrew and Jane Paine
John and Susan Peoni
Erick and Wendy Ponader
Eddie Prein and Amy
Judge-Prein
Dave and Cathy Ramey
Steven and Sheila Roumpf
Tim and Doris Anne Sadler
Jason and Kori Sciortino
Gary and Kristy Sherman
Fred and Kathy Shorter
Tom and Julie Shortridge
Rob and Jennifer Sloan
Anthony and Marla Smith
Patsy Solinger
Steve Spaulding and Jennifer
Hendrian
Jay Spitzenberger and Kathy
Shields
Eric and Deborah Stoll
Alan and Terri Symons
Ella Tunnell
Chris and Barbara Velonis
John Walsh
Paul and Patty Warrenfelt
Timothy and Susan Weber
Larry and Janis Wechter
Phyllis West
Jeff and Lisa Whorley
Dan and Kathy Williams
Christian Wolf and Elaine
Holden-Wolf
Individual and
Family Levels
($25 - $90)
Anonymous member
C. William and Susan Allen
Bill and Jeanne Appel
David and Nancy Behrmann
John and Denise Bell
Natalie Best
Lorene Burkhart
James and Mishelle Coldren
Phil and Jane Cox
Carolyn Cunningham
Dan and Melissa Daum
Michael and Suzanne Dilts
Aaron and Jennifer Dixon
Larry Dorfman
Jack and Melanie Esselman
Dorothy Gerner
Linda Gilman
Robert Goeke and Steve
Laughner
Aaron and Kerry Greenlee
Tony Gregory and Pam Harris
Lawrence Grein
Leo and Mary Ellen Hahn
Jim and Anita Hardee
Jim and Dorsey Hart
Brent and Gwendolyn Harvey
Matt and Judy Hayes
Samuel and Meg Hazlett
Bruce and Elise Heslin
Bryan and Karen Jinnett
James and Diane Johnson
Ross and Joie Kipka
Dwayne Kniola and Kim Kelly
John Koppitch and Judy Woods
Ted and Lynn Kramer
Marty and Ellen Krause
Marjorie Kroeger
Roberta Lamberson
Andrew Lynch
Lloyd and Wendy Lyons
Edward and Ethel Madden
John Majka and Miles Rincker
Michael and Brandy Manetta
David and Susan Marshall
Christopher McDougle
Jo Ann McLane
Mark and Cathy Mecker
Andy and Jennifer Medley
Rees and Marinelle Morgan
Tony and Carol Metz
Keith Mikesell
Timothy Needler
Helen O’Guinn
Henry and Betty Pitt
Thad Pope and Anne Jacobs
Robert Reiberg and Sandra
Reid
David Roth
Peggy Sabens
James and Janice Seidensticker
Malcolm Smith and Heather
McPherson
Stephen and Margaret Smith
Robert and Marilyn
Strawbridge
Marion Stuart
Jim and Cat Toomey
Skip and Ruth Vignati
Jake Wiesen and Colette
Keslin
Gary and Nancy Whitaker
Andy and Madonna Wolf
All individuals who had paid MSF membership dues within one year prior to September 15, 2011 were included. MSF
regrets any inadvertent misspellings or omissions.
Editorial Note: Please disregard the Sustaining Member giving suggestions as printed on the attached membership envelope. The
Sustainer Level is constituted by a donation of $225 or greater. We apologize for the misprint.
6
What’s new with harmoni?
First of all, thanks to everyone for your patience during
the construction of the new sidewalks and paving on
Meridian and 56th Streets. It’s so wonderful to see so
many more neighbors walking in the neighborhood!
On October 3, members of HARMONI and MSF
participated in the long awaited “groundbreaking”
with Mayor Ballard and City Councilor Ryan Vaughn
for HARMONI’s Transportation Enhancement Project.
After nearly four years of planning, “Phase 1” of the
Transportation Enhancement Project, which is now
referred to as the HARMONI Streetscape Project, is set to
be completed between February 15 and May 15, 2012. It
will include the landscape median by Alice Carter Place
Park and new sidewalks and tree lawn on the east side
of Meridian from 57th to the canal. There will also be a
protected pedestrian crossing at 57th and Meridian as
well as several intersection and crosswalk improvements
at Meridian and Westfield. We can’t wait!
Additionally, we received commitment from the City of
Indianapolis for the sidewalks in Alice Carter Place Park
that will connect to the new sidewalks on the west side
of Meridian. The sidewalks will be constructed in late
spring along with the Gateway entrance.
We will be forming a committee to finalize the additional
features in the park which include painting the pump
house, selecting an art structure for the center of the
gateway plaza and finalizing the children’s play area.
If you are interested in participating on the committee
please contact Cindy Zweber-Free at 317-727-7125 or
[email protected].
5609 North Illinois - One Block West of 56th and Meridian • 317.255.5555 • gthrapp.com
by Cindy Zweber-Free
Also, if you haven’t purchased your engraved paver
for the gateway entrance there is still time. Please go
to www.indyharmoni.org for the donation form. We
have received donations for approximately 50 brick
pavers however, we need 300 to complete the project
as planned. It is a wonderful way to show support for
your neighborhood and have a lasting memory for your
family or a special person.
Finally, the 2nd annual Midtown Holiday Home tour
and Marketplace on November 12-13 was a great success.
Thanks to the many MSF neighbors who volunteered
as hosts and hostesses. Thanks also to John and Elaine
Klein for allowing their beautiful home to be enjoyed by
hundreds of guests, many of whom travelled from out of
town for the tour.
Among the many volunteers were several MSF residents:
Cindy Zweber-Free and Marsha Langdon-Co-Chairs,
Linda Gilman who chaired Home Prep, Helen O’Guinn,
who prepared the publication and press release, Deborah
Stoll, who handled Marketing, Public Relations, and the
Holiday Market, and Gaylon Melton and Len Pilarski,
who hosted the Thank You party. Thanks also to John
Peoni for his help in decorating the Midtown Market at
Rivi.
Sierra Flowers, The Empty Vase, JP Parker Flowers, Ken
A. Myers, Floral Designer, and D and Z Gifts donated
their expertise and florals.
What a wonderful, cooperative community event!
Please join us again next year, the second weekend in
November.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
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NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Indianapolis, IN
Permit No. 5677
MSF
Meridian Street Foundation
P.O. Box 88451
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
This Just In:
HARMONI, the Historic Midtown Initiative, is officially
changing its name. It will now be known as
Midtown Indianapolis, Inc. or Midtown for short.
The new website address is midtownindy.org.
The Meridian Street Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) foundation originally organized in
1960. The Foundation’s chief purposes are the maintenance and improvement of existing
health, safety and ecological standards, and the preservation of the architectural, historic and
aesthetic significance of residential North Meridian Street and the neighborhood in which
it lies. Please note: We live in the North Meridian Street Preservation Area, governed by the
Meridian Street Preservation Act of 1971, administered by the Meridian Street Preservation
Commission. Before undertaking any changes in structure or usage of your property, please
check with either the MSPC or the Land Use Committee of the Meridian Street Foundation.
8