Indy Proposal Would Fund Demolition Of Vacant Oaktree Apartments

Indianapolis is one step closer to the demolition of an abandoned apartment complex on the far east side. A proposal introduced Monday night to the City-County Council would appropriate about $2.2 million to tear down Oaktree Apartments, located at 42nd Street and Post Road.

The district's councilor La Keisha Jackson says the city will get input from the community about what to do with the land. But she says new development could fill a lot of local needs.

“Some type of clinic or neighborhood hospital, multiplex basically, everything from health care to after school programs or something for the kids, green space...senior housing, maybe,” Jackson says.

Oaktree Apartments is made up of over 20 buildings and was condemned in 2014. Jackson says it attracts drug trafficking, prostitution and violent crime to the neighborhood, one that has struggled with crime for decades.

Many residents of the far east side rallied around the effort to demolish Oaktree. Jackson says finishing the job would mean a lot to the community.

“It shows that people still care, that the far east side is not forgotten, that we have champions and advocates for the far east side, and that working together works,” Jackson says.

The city doesn't actually own the land yet – it's currently trying to purchase it from an out-of-country owner. Jackson says if all goes according to plan, and the purchase isn't delayed by a legal dispute, the site could be leveled in three to six months.

The proposal to fund its demolition will be heard by a committee, then come back to the council for a final vote.