“A history of discrimination has left Indianapolis neighborhoods divided by wealth, income, and opportunity,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “We are committed to a neighborhood development strategy to keep all residents moving forward. Whether through affordable housing opportunities or creative commercial development, we’re working to expand opportunity in Indianapolis neighborhoods.”

Colonial Bakery Affordable Housing Request for Proposals

Located in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood at 2434 & 2444 Winthrop Avenue, the Colonial Bakery Affordable Housing RFP is part of Mayor Hogsett’s strategy to create and preserve affordable housing in neighborhoods that have experienced discriminatory housing practices, and that are now seeing rapid property investment.

In 2021, DMD completed the 25th and Monon Vision Plan, a planning process that produced recommendations and a framework for redevelopment of several brownfield sites within the area, including the former Colonial Bakery site. This plan was informed by months of collaboration with the community and won a Hoosier Planning Award for Outstanding Outreach & Communication from the American Planners Association Indiana Chapter for its impactful community engagement in the face of COVID-19. Proposals for the Colonial Bakery site are due on February 17, 2022.

Sherman Park Affordable Housing Request for Proposals

DMD is seeking proposals for affordable housing development on four acres of vacant City-owned land on the Near Eastside, adjacent to the intersection of Michigan Street and Sherman Drive. The site is located within the larger Sherman Park property, once home to a major RCA/Thompson/General Electric manufacturing facility and employment anchor until the plant’s closure in 1995.  Sherman Park consists of approximately 50 acres of current and former manufacturing sites and was the focus of a community-led planning process in 2018 in partnership with Near East Area Renewal (NEAR) and funded by a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 2017, DMD acquired the tax delinquent brownfield site and immediately began demolition and environmental remediation efforts to unlock redevelopment potential. After extensive site preparation, the City of Indianapolis partnered with RecycleForce and broke ground on their new headquarters in October 2021. Carrying forth the momentum created by RecycleForce, Sherman Park was recently announced as the future location of the new City of Indianapolis – Animal Care Services facility. A groundbreaking is expected later in 2022. Proposals are due March 25, 2022.

Central State Adaptive Reuse Request for Proposals
The Central State RFP offers three site opportunities to developers within or adjacent to the 148-acre Near Westside campus — the Old Indianapolis Fire Station 18, the Powerhouse, and the Tibbs Garage Complex buildings.  The Central State campus was the home of the Central State Hospital for 146 years, from 1848 to 1994. In 2004, the City of Indianapolis purchased the site from the State of Indiana, initiating an ambitious endeavor to redevelop the area as a major catalyst for development on the Near Westside. For nearly two decades, the City has worked with partners to create a neighborhood with a mix of market rate and affordable housing options, robust public amenities, and a creative commercial hub home to Ignition Arts, People for Urban Progress (PUP), and United State of Indiana.

The RFP calls for creative development proposals that will continue the momentum of Central State and demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities the sites represent as well as the needs of the Near Westside.  Responses for the Central State RFP are due on April 18, 2022.

These RFPs and more can be found on www.indy.gov/activity/find-bid-opportunities.

Find affordable housing and adaptive reuse RFP assets here.

About the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development

The Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) works to plan and preserve our city; to provide housing assistance to our most vulnerable people; to redevelop key sites; and to bring new jobs to Indianapolis. DMD envisions Indianapolis as a growing, vibrant, and beautiful city where people and businesses thrive in an inclusive, world class community.