Dear Neighbors and Friends,
It is with much excitement, fond memories, and some sadness that I write this letter. My last 5 years on the HMPNA Board – with the last 3 years in the role of President – have been some of the best years of my life. The neighborhood has supported me, challenged me, and made me want to work hard and dream big on its behalf. As neighbor Lee Smith always says, “We came to HMP for the homes, but stayed for the people.” I found this to be true at every turn and was blessed to work alongside such a talented Board, Pocket Park Committee, and neighbors that have given so much of their time and talents.
HMP has always been a neighborhood that exudes neighborly warmth, determination, and commitment to the neighborhood and one another. Over the years, we have dreamed larger and reached higher on what we can accomplish and bring to HMP. We believed that we could be more and do more despite being a smaller neighborhood. We rolled up our sleeves, worked hard, and reached out beyond our boundaries and across neighborhoods and organizations. And through a lot of planning, determination, and the combined talents of many neighbors, we have brought numerous positive changes to HMP!
Our 5-year plan for the neighborhood focuses on events and initiatives that promote neighborhood pride and visibility, social connectivity, beautification, safety, and helping one another. Through the Mid-North Quality of Life (QOL) Plan interviews with a diverse group of 35 HMP neighbors, we also learned the need for a neighborhood park as a place to relax in nature, come together for neighborhood events in a common place, and provide a safe place for children to play. As a result, park creation was added to our 5-year plan and that plan is becoming a reality THIS YEAR as we break ground on the park!
During my time as HMPNA President, we have focused on the following goals:
- Increase QOL and social connectivity
- Increase neighborhood beautification
- Increase crime prevention and safety
- Strengthen the neighborhood identity and solidarity
- Increase HMPNA membership through reward and recognition events and status.
Increase QOL and Social Connectivity
HMPNA has made significant strides in the majority of these areas. In addition to our usual 4- 5 social events per year (Cajun Brunch, Summer Barbeque, Fall Festival, Holiday Party, and bi-annual garage sale), we have also added additional special events to increase diversity of participation, such as block parties, a kid’s social event, an annual HMP Plant Exchange, annual Holiday Christmas Caroling, and an annual “Progressive Dinner” – a reward and recognition event for dues-paying members. We have also re-launched our HMP Senior Program with a more personal and hands-on approach. From shoveling walkways, helping run errands, or even changing tires, seniors are starting to provide great feedback about the program.
Increase Neighborhood Beautification
We have revamped our greenspaces on Pennsylvania Street, adding more year-long color and drought-resistant plants; planted trees on Washington Boulevard through a KIB Grant; and spearheaded our “Put the Park in Historic Meridian Park” pocket park initiative. In 2013, we raised $20,000 from businesses and neighbors to purchase and close on the pocket park land at 201 and 209 E. 33rd Street, were awarded an IPL Greenspace Grant through Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), and were then awarded additional grant funds from Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) to help build the pocket park shelter where community events can be held. KIB also brought us two new partners: Ball State Professor George Elvin and his 4th-year architecture students to build the kid’s playscape, and partner and owner Wil Marquez of w/purpose to design the overall blueprint for the park. As stated earlier, this has been a 3-year long project that has brought much blood, sweat, and tears (of joy!). The kid’s playscape will be completed by May 2014 with the entire park project completed by mid 2015! Additionally, we have kept our streets and alleys clean through 2 alley clean-ups per year, participation in the ‘Great Indy Clean-Up” annual event, and the addition of a kids’ street clean-up team. We also plan to beautify the roundabout further by placement of a historic-looking urn in the center for historical aesthetic and better visibility of the roundabout in general. The Board is looking to secure an urn within a defined budget and ensure that it is installed properly to prevent theft. We will also be mindful of size so that the roundabout is highlighted while driver visibility remains intact.
Increase Crime Prevention and Safety
We have increased safety in the neighborhood through directional signage at the roundabout and a partnership with the Prosecutor’s office to help residents “crime proof” their homes and mark their valuables with laser pens to be easily returned by the police if stolen. We would like to re-launch our “Safe Neighborhood Awareness Program” by identifying block captains to hold block “get-to-know-your-neighbor parties,” keep blocks clean from litter and debris, and help report and prevent crime. This program is still in need of a strong leader. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact the board. We are also considering partnering with the Indianapolis “12 Point Coalition.”
Strengthen the Neighborhood Identity and Solidarity
From the designing and purchasing of HMP’s first historic marker, creation of historic renovation guidelines for neighbors and contractors, upgrading our communication platforms, our new logo and templates, the addition of an HMP Café Press site, and participating and partnering on walking and bus neighborhood tours, HMP has made numerous strides in this area.
Our first historic marker, located at 33rd and Pennsylvania Streets at the crosswalk , increases neighborhood pride and awareness by honoring HMP’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It consists of a large boulder of Indiana granite with a beautiful recessed bronze plaque. HMPs historic renovation guidelines for the neighborhood will be particularly helpful for landlords, investors, and other partners who want to be good neighbors, but need guidance on rehabbing a property of historical significance. Additionally we developed a new logo and presentation template, a new and improved HMP website and Facebook site, and a Café Press store where you can show your neighborhood pride by shopping for HMP-branded sweatshirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, and even clothing for your tots and pets! We also added some formality to the HMPNA Board to increase our focus, efficiency, and transparency. We developed an HMP 5-year plan, clarified roles and responsibilities, documented important policies, and created a “Nominating Committee” to make the HMPNA election process more fair and consistent. We also regained our state non-profit status, a status lost to us years ago, but was much needed for an effective board.
For neighborhood visibility and outreach, we also partnered with the Mid-North area to provide the Neighborhoods U.S.A. (NUSA) conference with a bus tour of our neighborhood and with the “Rebooting the Inner City” charrette to provide participants a walking tour of our neighborhood. Perhaps even more exciting is our recent partnership with Walk Urban Indy where we will be developing a permanent walking route in HMP!
And last, but certainly not least, HMP collaborated with five surrounding neighborhoods to help build a “Quality of Life Plan” for the Mid-North area. This plan was the result of hundreds of engaged neighbors and friends who worked hard to understand the needs of the Mid-North area, set out a common vision to make improvements that will make a real difference in the quality of life of residents, and find sponsors to lead the identified projects. The plan, and HMP’s participation in it such as creation of our pocket park, have been attracting investors and partners alike and will create lasting, positive change for the Mid-North area.
Increase HMP Membership Through Reward and Recognition Events and Status
As mentioned earlier, we’ve added an annual “Progressive Dinner” recognition event for dues-paying members. This event was held on Pennsylvania Street this year where 3 homes each hosted one course (appetizers, main course, and dessert). The Progressive Dinner, born only 2 years ago, has quickly become one of HMP’s favorite and best attended events. Additionally, we have added a recognition program for multi-year membership. Dues paying members who pay consistently each year without lapses in their membership are now being recognized in the Urban Times. We’ve also increased our ability to reach members through a single communication platform. Our website, Facebook page, and email tree is reaching more members than ever!
A Bright Future
Never has it been a more exciting time to live in HMP. An extraordinarily active and focused HMPNA Board and volunteer base, coupled with surrounding efforts such as the Mid-North Quality of Life Plan, Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation, and Mid-Town, presents us with new opportunities like never before. Not only is our neighborhood becoming more connected, beautiful, and healthy, but the Mid-North and Mid-Town areas are as well thanks to our many partners. HMP is already accomplishing more than we ever thought imaginable. With the talents and of the incoming 2014 HMPNA Board and our exceptional neighbors, volunteers, and partners, we can take our neighborhood from a great place to live to one of the Indianapolis’s finest neighborhoods. Our opportunities are boundless as we head into a new year with a new President at the helm. Please join me in welcoming incoming President Stacey Patrick and new 2014 Board Members Kristen Smith and Kara Haughey.
Also thank you for your support and confidence in me as your HMPNA Board President. It has been a wild and enriching ride and I have grown tremendously as a leader, neighbor, and human being. Please know that I am committed to the pocket park project and will continue to serve as Pocket Park Chair over the coming years. Also thanks to the many board members that have served with me on the HMP Board, the Pocket Park Committee, and all the neighbors who have stepped up to turn our neighborhood vision into a reality. Please join me in thanking the following individuals for 2013:
- HMPNA Board: Stacey Patrick (VP), Bryan Bigelow (Secretary), John Carmer (Treasurer), Chris Gautier (Director), Karla Johnson (Director), Wade Johnson (Director), Jess Lanore (Director), and Stormy Thrasher (Director) .
- Pocket Park Committee: Joyce Moore, Katie Wertz, Sharon Gamble, Karla Johnson, John Carmer, and Cassie Mehlman-Rhys.
- “Titan of Trash” – Dick Luchtman – for running our alley clean-ups.
- “Communications Guru” – Gretchen Turner – who coordinates our communication platform and email updates.
- 2013 Social Event hosts: Cajun Brunch: Dr. Steve Towns and Dr. Jeanette Holloway, Summer Barbeque: Christy Krieg and Pat Carrol, Fall Festival: Mark Webb and Lee Smith, Holiday Party: Angela and David Colby, Progressive Dinner: Margie and Dick Luchtman, Mark Webb and Lee Smith, and Bob and Mary Nolan.
- “Truck and Muscle” – Donny Watson – for constant use of his truck and always participating in set-up and tear down of events.
- “Storage Supreme”” – Doug Day – for continued use of his garage for much-needed storage space.
- Also thanks to the many event volunteers and our UT Block Captains. We appreciate you!
Cassie Mehlman-Rhys
Outgoing President and Pocket Park Chair
Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association