Okay, so she won't be very good.

I do, sure.

Okay.

So I'll do it.

Any idea what a few minutes?

I want to keep everybody on right here.

That was a lot.

Let's go ahead and get started here.

Susan can join when she arrives.

I'm going to call the special meeting for the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission to order.

And I will introduce the members of the commission and the staff with us this evening.

I am Bill Brown, President.

Our staff with us this evening is Meg Bush, our administrator, Chris Steinmetz, our IHPC counsel, and Maryam Burkert, our preservation planner and recorder.

All right.

And then we'll uh see if there's anyone uh offering remarks after that.

So Meg, do you want to go ahead and get started, please?

Good evening, Commissioners.

Thank you for joining us this evening.

Um IHPCD staff is asking for your consideration of the historic designation of the former St.

Francis de Sales Church building located at the former Martin University campus due to threat of demolition of the structure.

The proposed historic area plan before you contains information on the building's history and significance, which our preservation planner Maryam Burkett will present to you momentarily.

Excuse me, had is an important African American historic resource.

The following timeline is of events is what's leading up to tonight's request.

On December thirty-first of twenty twenty-five, Martin University closed its doors.

Fast forward to August 7th, a wrecking contractor applied for a permit to demolish the church building, and a five-day delay was put into effect, and IHPC was notified.

On August 10th, IHBC coordinated with the Indiana Landmarks to reach out to the owner of the property to try and schedule a meeting, but was unsuccessful.

At that time, I was supportive from President Brown and city leadership determined demolition is imminent, and emergency designation was pursued.

IHBC posted notice for a special meeting for this consideration.

August 10th and August 11th, IHBC staff prepared a draft historic area plan for your consideration by the along with two resolutions, one for inclusion of the structure into the Marion County Register of Historic Places, and the second for the designation of the area and recommendation to the Metropolitan Development Commission for inclusion of the plan into the comprehensive plan for Marion County.

Within the draft plan is a map of the area and pictures showing the building on the site, is significant for their architecture and outstanding rating in the Marion County Historic Sites and Structures Survey, i.e., the interim plan, as well as cultural, educational, and religious history.

IHPC staff believes the building is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and meets the criteria and purposes set forth in the IHPC state statute to preserve resources of architectural and historical significance.

The subject structure, exterior features, and architectural and historic character thereof shall be preserved as a significant resource of Indianapolis and Marion County.

The plan outlines the objectives and criteria that will be used to evaluate any exterior improvements to the building along with land use reviews, the IHPC acts of the Board of Zoning Appeals and locally protected historic areas.

The historic area boundary will only include the former church building.

A map of the proposed boundary is included in the proposed plan.

The preservation plan carries the support of IHBC staff, an overwhelming number of members of the public, many of whom are alumni of Martin University.

Letters of support are available for viewing.

A sample letter is included in with this memo, and as of August 11th, IHBC staff has received approximately 572 letters of support for the initiative.

A copy of the proposed historic area plan was sent to you along with the proposed resolutions for your review.

We are respectfully asking for your approval of the adoption of the proposed resolutions, and with that, I will have Miriam share some information on the architectural and cultural significance of the site.

Good evening, everyone.

The former St.

Francis de Sales Catholic Church is an important historic resource within the Indianapolis' near East Side Martindale and Brightwood neighborhood.

This church is significant not only for its architecture but for its long association with Catholic religious and educational life as well as its subsequent role as part of the Martin University campus.

Initially established to serve railroad workers as a Catholic parish in 1881, St.

Francis de Sales Catholic Church and School served generations of neighborhood residents and developed a traditional parish institution in which worship, education, religious life, and community activities were close were closely interconnected.

Constructed in 1913, the church is significant as a brick Romanesque revival ecclesiastical building designed by Indianapolis architect George V.

Bidell.

Beddell designed a smattering of homes in Indianapolis as well as St.

Philip Neri Catholic School, Holy Trinity Slovenian Roman Catholic Church, the Talbot Theater at 21st in Talbot, and the Ritz Theater at 34th in Illinois.

Biddell's work forms an important part of Indianapolis's early 20th century architectural heritage, particularly his churches designed for neighborhood congregations.

Given an outstanding rating in the Marion County Center Township interim report, the church is an excellent, relatively unaltered example of the Romanesque revival style.

St.

Francis de Sales Catholic Church is a high is a substantial early 20th century brick church distinguished by a highly symmetrical monumental facade.

The principal elevation is organized around a central gabled nave flanked by piered square towers.

The towers are articulated by horizontal stone belt courses, tall round arch openings, projecting cornices, low metal clad roofs, and terminating crosses.

The central facade, sorry.

The central facade features a prominent triangular gable with a cross at its apex, a large circular rose window with decorative stained or lighted glazing, and tall, narrow, round arched windows.

A raised principal entrance is approached by a broad masonry stairway and framed by substantial light colored stone trim.

The contrast between dark red brick and pale stone detailing is a defining characteristic of the exterior.