“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” — Andrew Carnegie
After years of fighting to rebuild itself, the Martindale-Brightwood Neighborhood shows signs of progress. Residents have faced challenges of crime, poverty, food desert status and more. Now they’re relying on each other and rebounding in a very big way.
Around the corner is a brewing hotbed of emotions, opinions, ideas and designs centered in the newly proposed Brightwood Library.
According to Carnegie’s quote, libraries outrank any asset in a community. Why so much to do about the new library, center of information, for the Martindale-Brightwood area?
The Indianapolis Public Library’s website states: “The Brightwood Branch has served the residents in the Brightwood community since 1901 and was the 6th public library to open in Indianapolis.”
In 2014, The Indianapolis Public Library started plans to build a new branch and shortly after 25th and Station became the chosen location.
Most would welcome this kind of development for this historic area, but not everyone likes what will need to happen to bring this plan to life — using eminent domain to acquire the property needed. It is not the first time this method has been used to acquire land in this area. Remember I-70?
The new Brightwood branch calls for spending $5.9 million to build and triple the size with meeting rooms, study tables, expanded technology and a large children’s area. Remember that this library, per Carnegie, would be the greatest gift given to the area and would be “… a never-failing spring in the desert.”
Why is anyone opposed? Glad you asked. The library wants to build the new branch on 4 acres across the street and to do so, it would need to acquire at least parcels that now house a couple of buildings used as churches and businesses, a liquor store and surplus property owned by the city. (None of the parcels are residential.)
An unnamed official of the Library said “while eminent domain is not the process we wanted to go to … this will allow us to move the project forward. It’s difficult to ask anyone to move … but it’s for the betterment of the community.”
As a result, Library officials have asked the City-County Council to give them the authority to use eminent domain. The Council has asked the Library to work on further negotiations.
The Library says it looked for other sites, but nothing was large enough or close enough to the current branch. They want a site that is visible and accessible with plenty of parking.
One owner of some of the desired property has posted a large sign on her property that reads, in part, “SAY NO to Eminent Domain.”
Several neighborhood groups, including the Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation, support the Library’s plans, but all involved hope a solution can be reached without resorting to eminent domain.
There is definitely a time when either side should hold out. Is this the time? Is this hiccup a sign of wrong placement for this neighborhood jewel or for any of the businesses?
What about 30th and Sherman Drive? Persian Temple is trying to sell its space on 23rd Street. This could start a revitalization in an area that experiences much illegal dumping and this entire street is available. Is the space around Genesis Plaza out? Can Broad Ripple be a model? Add the Library to Douglass Park. What about the former Williams and Bluitt lots at 25th Andrew J. Brown? What about the space at the western boundary, the Monon? Could either side use any of this land?
I have no answers to this dilemma. I just keep referring back to Carnegie’s quote.
One Voice Martindale-Brightwood is an organization created by neighborhood residents to engage the community in improving and celebrating life in Martindale-Brightwood.
