**PLEASE NOTE Our hearing has been rescheduled for Tuesday March 3, 2015 at 1:00pm.  We will upload full hearing details about a week in advance**

We have been planning to re-open our galleries at 4186 N. Broadway but we've run into a problem: we thought the Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association (MKNA) would support us, instead they've declined.

We're as surprised as we are disappointed, as this is a win-win for everyone -- us, the neighborhood, the artists we represent, the employees we'll be able to add, the local schools we support with our art programs and for everyone who appreciates the last 125 years of Indiana artwork.

The property is still zoned as a library so we are seeking a variance with the City of Indianapolis allowing us retail our product lines (original Indiana art, handmade rugs, framing and all of our other services) out of this cool new location. We worked with MKNA to narrow the petition language, making the variance exclusive to a retailer of art and rugs and a provider of services related to the same.

Bringing a gallery into the old Library space seems like such a good fit, we're not clear what the issue is.

• Ours is a most friendly and benign use – we sell handmade rugs and original Indiana paintings representing 125 years of Hoosier artistic heritage.

• We are extremely low-traffic and low impact. A typical day might have ten visitors.

• We represent ten living, central-Indiana artists and sell their work and add to their livelihood and ability to continue creating artwork that reflects our Hoosier heritage.

• We intend to preserve the building as constructed and make positive improvements (including asbestos removal).

• We want the adjacent empty lots that are a part of the property to be open (without the existing fencing) and a place the community can visit and enjoy.

• Purchasing the building would put it on the city’s tax rolls for the first time ever, generating funds every government needs to function.

• We employ five people, three of whom are Meridian-Kessler residents. A fourth lives in Butler Tarkington

• We feel the business would be a positive addition to Meridian-Kessler Zone 2.

• Curt Churchman (the owner of the galleries) currently resides in Meridian-Kessler zone 2 and has lived in Meridian-Kessler for the last 17 years. He raises two boys who attend IPS School 84 (to whom we donate art supplies regularly).

• We would happily supply space for community events as we did at our previous location.

• We are ready and eager to make the empty building at 42nd and Broadway an inhabited, improved property with a respectable, responsible gallery as its long-term occupant.

Fortunately, we still have a chance to convince the City to take our side. There are four things you can do:

• Sign this petition in support of our request for variance.

• Write an email letter of support to City of Indianapolis Sr. Planner, Robert Uhlenhake who is handling our case: Robert.Uhlenhake@indy.gov. Reference our petition number 2014-UV1-037

• Take five minutes to send MKNA a polite note requesting that they reconsider their support for our proposal (info@MKNA.org)

• **UPDATED HEARING DATE**  Attend the City of Indianapolis variance hearing on March 3, 2015 at 1:00pm in the Servaas hearing room at the Indianapolis City County building

Thanks for your help. Please call (317) 253-5910 or write us (info@fineestaterugs.com) with any questions.

Sincerely,

--Curt Churchman