Indiana Landmarks is working with community members to explore ways to preserve Martin University’s eastside campus after the college closed in December.
The organization invited alumni and community members to fill out a Google form to voice their opinion about the future of Martin University. The petition also prompts the community to submit a letter to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission asking the city’s support in preserving the university’s eastside campus.
The commission is the city’s agency for protecting and preserving historic neighborhoods and properties.
In response to an interview request, Indiana Landmarks spokesperson Mindi Woolman sent Mirror Indy a statement saying community members have reached out to the organization and asked them to help preserve Martin’s campus.
In the statement, Woolman said in part that the petition “does not initiate any regulatory or legal process.”
“Rather, it provides a way for alumni, community members, and supporters of Martin University to publicly express their appreciation for the campus and their desire to see it preserved,” Woolman wrote in the statement.
Woolman said the petition was created and circulated by community members after conversations with Eunice Trotter, the director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program. The program works to help preserve historical buildings and sites that are important to Black history in Indiana.
What does this mean for Martin?
A historic designation would mean that Martin University — or any future property owner — would have to get input from the city commission in order to make changes or repairs to the property.
Ultimately, the decision to designate a property as historic is up to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. That agency would create a historic preservation plan, which would eventually be proposed to and approved by the Metropolitan Development Commission and adopted into the city’s comprehensive plan, according to a guide on the city’s website.
Martin University trustees have previously said they plan to sell off university assets, though did not specify which ones. Martin University interim president Felicia Brokaw and spokesperson Keona Williams did not respond to questions about the petition or about the university’s plans for its campus.
On social media, alumni are also encouraging community members to write letters to the historic preservation commission in support of Martin University getting historic designation.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, at 317-759-0249 or on most social media @clairerafford.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
