INDIANAPOLIS — The developer for Eleven Park near downtown Indianapolis confirms crews have found fragments of human remains.
The discovery, reported Dec. 22, came at the north end of the Eleven Park archaeological site.
The Keystone Group told 13News the remains will be catalogued and reinterred.
They also said they will be working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and others on the effort to care for the remains.
As 13News has reported, the Eleven Park location sits on an old burial ground primarily used for African Americans.
Here's is the full statement from Keystone Group:
"Keystone Group in coordination with Weintraut and Associates and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (IDNR/DHPA) have identified isolated areas of interest at the Eleven Park archaeological site. Weintraut and Associates along with the IDNR/DHPA are conducting a thorough and respectful analysis on the discovery of materials and determined the following:
Fragments of human remains have been identified at the north end of the archaeological site. The discoveries are all undergoing and adhering to strict identification protocols. The discoveries will be properly catalogued and subsequently reinterned at the discretion of the IDNR/DHPA and Keystone Group. As construction continues at the archaeological site, Keystone Group, Weintraut and Associates, and the IDNR/DHPA will continue to follow the lawful guidelines at both the state and local level with the utmost sensitivity.
Keystone Group views these discoveries as an opportunity to correct past mishandlings by previous ownership and to respectfully relocate and honor what may be found. Keystone continues to work with community organizations who look to honor the memory of those who may have been buried at Greenlawn. These discussions are ongoing as the project progresses and an appropriate memorial will be included in project completion."
Upon completion, the stadium is expected to seat 20,000 people, and Eleven Park will include more than 600 apartments, 205,000 square feet of office space, 197,000 square feet of retail space alongside restaurants, hotels, green space and more.
Officials said they hope building on what they called an "underutilized portion" of downtown will make a new mark on Indianapolis.
"Its impact will be felt by generations of supporters, visitors and residents who will soon be able to enjoy its world-class amenities," said Ersal Ozdemir, chairman and founder of Keystone Group and Indy Eleven.
The stadium is projected to open in the summer of 2025.