A place with ‘potential:’ Pastor shares his vision of Indy education center with community
Indianapolis Public School 11 has been vacant for a long time. But last weekend, a stream of people walked its hallways, shepherded by a man who shared his intent to breathe new life into the space.
A food truck was parked outside on the basketball court. Two young girls chased each other in circles in the lot, their laughter echoing off the walls.
The building, near East 42nd Street and Millersville Road, has been empty for more than two years, until Pastor Denell Howard of Hovey Street Church of Christ embarked on a bold plan to convert the vacant, 40,000-square foot building into a communal space.
The Evolve Education Center is a shared vision to convert the abandoned Indianapolis Public School building into an “ecosystem” of educational opportunities to serve the needs of residents in northeast Indianapolis.
Howard had the chance to share that vision with members of the public during a celebration event that welcomed residents to tour the facility while enjoying food and music.
He guided people through the halls to see the progress he and volunteers have made in the past several months through cleaning, fixing damaged walls and more. Among the recent additions includes hundreds of donated chairs stacked in the dual gym and theater, left over when the school was active. The group hopes to revitalize the theater. The next Denzel Washington could live nearby, Howard explained.
Conference rooms will be used by local businesses. The walls of the main hallway will feature paintings by local artists. Classrooms will become places to learn trades. The community garden in the grassy area behind the building will grow fresh produce — something board members say is sorely needed because the area is a food desert.
The city's northeast corridor, where the center is located, was selected last year as the target of a $2.45 million initiative to improve nutritious food access with the help of the Equitable Food Access Initiative.
“The potential is so encouraging,” said Dr. Preston Adams, chairman of the Evolve International Inc. board and pastor of Amazing Grace Christian Church. “Now, we have a vision for a community-based center that will be a part of revitalizing and providing alternatives for our community."
Adams, an Indianapolis resident of 42 years, said the area has its bright spots with several schools, a local YMCA and historic apartment buildings. Yet it’s also seen violence in pockets within its neighborhoods. He hopes the center will provide a chance for people to feel safe, and where their needs are met.
Making it happen: a new community center near East 42nd Street to require $11M
Though progress has been made, cracked sinks and toilets that fell victim to vandalism throughout the years are a reminder of the work needed ahead to see Howard’s plan come to fruition.
About $11 million is needed to make the center happen.
Evolve board members said that while the facility will support its immediate neighbors, they also strongly believe it will serve a collective good for the city.
If residents in the 46208 zip code are facing the same issues as residents in the 46218-zip code, board member Sabae Martin said, then the community needs to step in.
“We have a responsibility to our neighbors, our kids, our senior citizens,” Martin said.
For now, Howard and volunteers are working to clean up the building and raise awareness about the center themselves. To prepare for last weekend's event, Howard mopped the school’s floors and ran in and out of the rain to ensure any music equipment didn’t get wet.
It’s this type of tenacity from Howard that ZeNai Brooks said compelled her to support the center.
“When you see somebody working like that, you can’t help but support,” she said.
The Evolve Education Center’s next community event will be held Sept. 18 from 2-6 p.m., at 3202 E 42nd St.
Contact Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pastor shares vision of Indianapolis education center with community
