What we desire:

This petition is for the purpose of identifying public support in an effort to save and preserve Abraham Lincoln Public School #18, located at 1001 E. Palmer Street, Indianapolis, Indiana - USA 

Background on historic building:

This school was designed in 1901 and the building is currently vacant. The building is 122 years old and located contiguous to two additional historic  properties; Sanders-Childers House and Leedy Manufacturing Company.

There have been articles in the local press, one of which suggested a plan of "demolishing the building" which we consider unacceptable: Indianapolis Business Journal, December 14, 2021 and Indianapolis Star, December 16, 2021, Urban Times, December 20, 2021. 

Repurposing public school building examples: 

There are useful cases of public school buildings being repurposed for new uses in Indianapolis: 

• Public School #11 is the latest vacant former public school building gaining attention in this regard (Indianapolis Star, September 8, 2022). 
• George W. Sloan School #41 has been rehabilitated into affordable apartments, now called Pilgrim Heritage.

Transformation from active public school to stranded asset:

The Abraham Lincoln school building was closed in 1997 as a public school due to a drop in enrollment (Indianapolis Star, July 26, 2022). 

The building remained vacant for some time after the school closed in 1997, and was bought by a faith-based community center, Kids Inc,, with some space leased out.

The building was sold to Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership who currently holds the building and appears to be engaged in finding a developer. It is unclear INHP's criteria for a new owner and use of the existing building on the property.

Key points:

• School designed in 1901 by prominent Indianapolis Architect Clarence Martindale (1866-1937)
• Until 1820 the site was a Camp of the Delaware Indians
• Eligible for Registration on National Register of Historic Places
• School #18's paper, the Lincoln Log, received national recognition in 1934  
• Historic Sanders-Childers House directly across street 
• Leedy Manufacturing Company Indiana Historical Bureau marker directly across street

Architectural features:

Architect Clarence Martindale designed the exterior using details from the Italian Renaissance and Classical architecture to provide character to the exterior.

Interior design elements includes newel posts throughout building with carved detail and horizonal molding called egg and dart from Classical architecture. 

All of these exterior and interior architectural details, over 120 years old,  are in excellent shape.

Closing:

The Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood where Abraham Lincoln Public School #18 is located is a thriving community full of energy, ideas, engagement and a keen sense of placemaking.  

Retaining and repurposing this structure and its artifacts will provide a historic anchor for the continuing evolution of Bates-Hendricks. 

Thank you for considering the preservation of Abraham Lincoln, Public School #18, and helping bring public attention and action for a positive outcome.