wfn.org | New developer to convert Missions Building into senior housing

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

Date: August 20, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-47

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A new agreement with an Indianapolis-based 
developer could mean that the former Missions Building will be
converted to senior housing after all. 

     This is good news for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
which owns the office building.  A similar proposal initiated two years ago by
the Retirement Housing Foundation, Long Beach, Calif., failed to move
forward.  

     Mansur Real Estate Services, Inc., is slated to take on the
redevelopment project on Indianapolis' east side. The Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) vacated the 121,000-square-foot facility in 1995 to move
downtown.  

     Under the proposal, the building would be adapted into approximately
80 apartments for adults 55 and over. Architects Browning, Day, Mullins &
Dierdorf of Indianapolis will design the new facility. 

     The church will retain ownership of the property through completion
of the construction project, said the Rev. Ryan D. Hazen, general manager of
Christian Church Services. This arrangement will allow Mansur, Inc. to
pursue tax credits for the venture. 

     Both parties are hopeful that tax credits will be granted during a
November round of awards. If successful, construction could begin in early
spring. The new building would be ready for occupancy in approximately nine
to 12 months. 

     If the November application is denied, Mansur and CCS are prepared
to try again in April. This would push the construction start-up back to early
summer. Again, the building would be ready for occupancy within nine
months to a year.  

     The entire project depends on obtaining the tax credits, said Hazen. In
the meantime, the Disciples will continue taking care of basic building
maintenance for the vacant structure.  

     Both the church and the Irvington neighborhood can feel good about
the proposed housing project, according to Hazen. For one, "we have been able
to restore a building in Irvington that the residents and we (the church) can be
proud of."

     Another reason involves the stewardship issues for the church and
community. "It's a good use of the facility in a neighborhood that needs it." In
addition, preserving the building for future use will save the church money currently
spent maintaining a vacant building. The alternative is tearing the building down, an
expensive proposition that will cost from $500,000 to $1 million. 

     Mansur Real Estate, Inc., is one of the largest and most experienced
developers of historic properties in the Midwest, Hazen said. The company's most
recent projects involve successful conversions of department stores in South Bend and
Chattanooga, Tenn., an Elkhart hotel and a St. Louis hospital. 

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DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director