wfn.org | Missions Building transformation underway

["Wilma Shuffitt"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: December 11, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

98a-74

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) - Nearly four years after the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ) moved its general offices from the historic 
Missions Building in Indianapolis' Irvington neighborhood, work is 
underway to transform the former church headquarters into a senior 
housing facility. 

	The Missions Building served as headquarters for the Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada for more 
than 60 years. In 1995, the administrative units operating in the 
121,000 square foot Missions Building and two other 
Indianapolis-based units moved to 65,000 square feet of space at the 
Disciples Center in downtown Indianapolis.

	The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Indiana Black Expo 
Economic Development Corporation (IBEEDC) are the project's general 
partners. Columbia Housing Corporation of Portland, Ore., is the 
investment limited partner. Mansur Real Estate Services Inc., 
Indianapolis, is developing the project and managing construction. 
Van Rooy Properties of Indianapolis will manage the Missions 
Apartments once construction is complete.  

	"This is a wonderful, wonderful building," said Bob Bates, Mansur's 
director of historic development. "It takes a team of people to make 
these projects happen. We're very proud to be part of the team," he 
said at a construction kick-off Dec. 9. 

	The Rev. Ryan Hazen, general consultant, Board of Church Extension 
of Disciples of Christ Inc.,  has coordinated the Disciples' role in 
determining the future of the Missions Building campus. On behalf of 
the church, Hazen worked closely with the Irvington Community Council 
in evaluating proposed uses for the property. "The restoration of 
that building is real shot in the arm for the Irvington neighborhood. 
There will be 79-plus residents moving into that neighborhood that 
can be real assets to the community," he said. 

	The $6.5 million project is funded by the $4.2 million sale of 
housing tax credits, HOME funds from the Indianapolis Department of 
Metropolitan Development and a conventional loan. The church 
contributed the building to the project, but neither the Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ) nor IBEEDC have invested cash. Both will 
receive portions of development fees and eventually will receive 
portions of revenue generated by the apartments.  

	The Missions Apartments will begin pre-leasing in the summer of 1999 
with occupancy as early as October. The complex will feature 79 
apartments: 51 single-bedroom; 12 two-bedroom; and 16 studios. The 
apartments will be available for rent to adults 55 years of age and 
older who have restricted income.

	The Indianapolis Foundation has committed a grant of $150,000 toward 
the preservation and rehabilitation of the Bona Thompson Library, the 
eastern-most building in the Missions Apartments complex. The 
Irvington Historical Society is managing the library project. The 
refurbished building will house a local fine arts collection, 
community meeting space and Irvington community offices.  

	-- end --

Note to Editors:  Photo to be mailed.