Neighborhood Search for Mayoral Leadership

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The opinions expressed in these articles and features are those of their author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of McANA or the opinion of its Directors or Officers.

The sign says - ‘Welcome to Indianapolis. Building a World-Class City Neighborhood by Neighborhood’. Well, some might think a World Class City would cherish an Historic Neighborhood such as that represented by the Meridian Street Foundation. Their neighborhood is protected not only by the usual codes the rest of us in Indianapolis rely upon, it is also under the protective arm of state law. But, quite evidently, to no advantage and to no avail.

The Neighborhood is comprised of some of the oldest homes in the entire State of Indiana. Homes whose owners feel they are charged to preserve, restore, and watch over — as much historic jewels for Indianapolis as they are hearth and home for their families. These folks feel that Meridian Street is everyone’s Street and they are hoping Mayor Peterson feels the same way.

This story spans two Administrations and highlights the code enforcement battle more mundane properties throughout the County face.

What the folks in this Neighborhood say is most sorely needed at this time is leadership in the Mayor’s office.

It all revolves around a property at 4821 Meridian Street that was purchased in 1995 by James and Linda Bozcar. They were granted a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Meridian Street Preservation Commission (MSPC) and obtained permits to make alterations to the house based on that Certificate. But, it seems, the alterations being requested were changed between the application to the MSPC and the application for permits. The revised plans do not meet the standards of the MSPC for compatibility with the historic nature of the area. Since then every avenue for relief of this inappropriate construction has been pursued. We are talking about 5 years now involving the Meridian Street Preservation Commission, the Meridian Street Foundation, city code enforcement, Marion County Superior Court, US District Court, Environmental Court, Mayor Goldsmith’s people and now Mayor Peterson’s people.

At its last meeting, McANA’s Board of Directors voted to support this historic Neighborhood by appealing to Mayor Peterson to PLEASE, MR. MAYOR - GET THE PROBLEM SOLVED. After all, if the Mayor of Indianapolis cannot get the Ordinances and Codes of the City enforced, what hope is there for the rest of us?