Revitalizing the Meadows

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Meadows area was "the" place to live, work and play. It was home to one of the first premier shopping centers in Indianapolis. The Avondale Playhouse booked nationally known entertainers during the summer months. The apartments in the area were the first Indianapolis homes of business people and professionals, many of whom subsequently assumed important leadership positions in the Indianapolis community. Then, in the 1970s, concentrated poverty became the theme in urban areas nationwide.

Since that time, the Meadows has been one of Indianapolis' most challenged neighborhoods. The concentration of poverty in five low-income apartment complexes, high crime, and the flight of quality retail businesses tracked the path of urban decline that has afflicted much of inner-city America over the past 40 years.

Today, the goal of the Avondale Meadows community redevelopment initiative is to holistically build an attractive, safe, environmentally-friendly 100-acre neighborhood and replace concentrated poverty with a mix of affordable and market-rate rental and owner-occupied homes. To bring fresh foods at reasonable prices back to an area that is over three miles from the nearest grocery store. To create a five-acre, multi-use park, ample green spaces, community gardens and a multi-purpose community center to serve an area lacking in recreational amenities and human services. Finally, to build on the extraordinary educational opportunities available to the neighborhood through two of Indianapolis' finest charter schools, the Challenge Foundation Academy and the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, that are located in the heart of the Meadows.

Do Good, Do Green, Do Well
The project's "triple bottom line" strategy of "Do Good, Do Green, Do Well" will yield measurable, positive social returns and community results, environmentally responsible "green" development and sound investment returns.

Strategic Capital Partners is accomplishing this work through public/private partnerships with the City of Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, several federal agencies, the Meadows Community Foundation, Inc., and numerous corporate partners, neighborhood foundations, organizations and not-for-profit entities.

Together, we are "Making Magic in the Meadows" by creating long-term sustainability to improve and enhance life in the Meadows community.