INDIANAPOLIS -
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is ready to get moving on a new mixed-use development just north of its campus on the site of the former Winona Hospital.
Seven developers submitted proposals to develop the site. The museum will select the winning proposal March 1. The museum's conceptual site plan for the five-acre site shows a mix of housing, commercial development and a two-and-a-half acre park.
Specifically, it calls for a minimum of 25 affordable units in 3-4 story apartment houses, town homes or a mix of both. The commercial component calls for approximately 22,000 square feet of space along Meridian Street with a "comprehensive parking solution."
Mike Higbee with DC Development Group said his company sees "a lot of potential."
The plan he submitted calls for 50 affordable housing units in phase one, built and leased by the end of 2013, which was a prerequisite of the museum.
"Phase two assumes a mixed use project, bringing the market back to the site as well as the affordable housing. It would be very nicely designed, very green," Higbee said.
Higbee's plan also calls for an "indoor community space that fronts on the park and would be there for new residents and existing neighbors too."
He estimates the investment at $22 million with a 4-5 year build-out.
Higbee's company has done several other urban projects. It's currently behind the redevelopment of the old Central State Hospital site off West Washington Street.
Fishers-based Meyer Najem-Axia Urban also responded to the museum's request for proposals (RFP). Thomas Peck said his firm didn't submit a specific plan, but the qualifications to "design and build what the Children's Museum wants to see" on that site.
Peck said, given that the office market isn't that strong, they suggested the museum consider a charter school in the space proposed for commercial development. He estimated the price of a mixed-use development at $6-10 million.
Carmel-based Scott-Hilliard Kosene also submitted a proposal.
"Because of its mid-town location and proximity to the museum and, really, access to the Meridian corridor, it's a great site for residential," Stephen Scott said.
Scott said his plan called for 75-120 residential units noting "urban sites dictate higher density."
As for the remaining site, Scott said while "retail is tricky in this environment...there is an appetite for it," particularly in neighboring Meridian Park and Fall Creek Place where he says residents would be "very supportive."
Others responding to the RFP include Carmel-based Pedcor Investments, Sexton Companies and the Whitsett Group, both in Indianapolis and The Community Builders, which is headquartered in Chicago.
While David Block with Community Builders declined to share his plan, he said they are "very interested. This is an intriguing opportunity." He also noted his company has built 700 residential units in Indiana over the past eight years.
The city, which still owns the Winona property, has requested a zoning change to allow for housing on the site. The Metropolitan Development Commission Hearing Examiner will hear that case Thursday.
The city is expected to transfer title of the property to the Children's Museum in the coming weeks. The city took ownership of the former Winona Hospital in a tax sale last year, using $1.2 million in HUD money to demolish the hospital and remediate the site.
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The City of Indianapolis will seek a rezoning request from city planners Thursday to pursue a housing development at the former Winona Hospital site on Meridian Street.
The housing development is a component of a mixed use plan offered by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
Plans call for at least 25 affordable housing units, commercial development along Meridian Street and a two-and-a-half-acre park.
Seven developers have submitted proposals, and the Children's Museum expects to make a decision next week.
The hospital sat vacant for seven years after going bankrupt and rapidly became an eyesore in the neighborhood, attracting graffiti and vandalism.
A portion of an $8 million grant from Housing and Urban Development paid for demolition in October 2011.
The Children's Museum plans to choose a developer by March 1st.
See the plans.
