INDIANAPOLIS - A piece of history designed by one of the city's leading architects has been erased. On Monday, crews tore down a shelter at Butler-Tarkington Park near 40th and Meridian. Some residents are calling the city's decision shameful.
"Edward Pierre, he built these grand mansions in Meridian Kessler, and Bush Stadium and the Old Trails Building downtown," said Vess von Ruhtenburg, Indianapolis resident.
Pierre also designed the shelter at Butler-Tarkington Park. But days ago, neighbors were doing a double take. It appears a bulldozer got its teeth into the premier architect's work, leaving behind an empty lot.
"It was just a terrible shame. He helped save Lockerbie from being torn down. He's a hero. He's a civic hero," said Ruhtenberg.
Ruhtenberg, a self-described preservationist, lives in the neighborhood in one of Edward Pierre's homes. He believes the city missed an opportunity to preserve architectural history.
"That's frightening at a time when we should be taking a second look, leaving it open, putting a new door in it, and a new window and using it," he said.
Edward Pierre's work is featured on the website of Ball State University's Architectural Archives. The tennis shelter he built in 1957 is included as well.
"It's disappointing when they don't understand what being a good steward is," said Tim Harmon, Meridian-Kessler resident.
"It needed to be torn down. It wasn't ADA accessible. The exterior did seem solid, but the inside was quite a mess. There were possibly some people living in there," said Jennifer McGilvray, Indianapolis Parks Department.
The Indianapolis Parks Department decided to demolish the structure to make way for a new "comfort shelter" complete with usable restrooms at a cost of $200,000.
For preservationists, the new, prefabricated structure which replaces the Edward Pierre-designed building is an additional insult.
It seems the Parks Department didn't know about the connection to Edward Pierre.
"We were not aware of that. And I believe when they went in they didn't find anything that indicated that. Our foundation did speak to the neighbors in the Butler Tarkington area who said that they were extremely excited," said McGilvray.
Despite the history connection, the city plans to put what it calls a clean, safe facility in place in a matter of weeks. Its electronic locks will keep people out late at night.
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation is covering the cost.
Local preservationists are raising awareness about other at risk sites.
From this...
...to this.
The building was razed Monday.
Vess von Ruhtenburg
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