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Saint Elizabeth Seton parish committee outlines study period and options for Blue Schoolhouse at 3848 E. 106th Street
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Summary
Parish representatives described a months-long community-input and feasibility review after acquiring the historic Blue Schoolhouse; commissioners explained the city's demolition-delay ordinance and described grant assistance options including a commission-supported National Register nomination grant (80/20 match).
Representatives from Saint Elizabeth Seton told the Carmel Historic Preservation Commission they are soliciting parish and community input and will evaluate reuse options for the recently acquired Blue Schoolhouse at 3848 East 106th Street before making a recommendation to parish leaders.
"We're in charge of now, being good stewards of, you know, the land and the property that we acquired," Mike Abrick, chair of the parish committee, said. He described a process that began in March, with parish and community input collected through the summer and a feasibility and ranking phase planned between September and February 2026. The committee expects to submit a final recommendation to parish finance and parish council leadership in March–April 2026.
Commission staff told the parish committee that demolition is not a decision the parish can take without following local procedures. "The city has a demolition delay ordinance so that if you were to file for a demolition permit, then you would have to go through a process with the commission," a staff member said, describing a 60-day hold that allows for presentation to the commission and options including marketing the structure for relocation, commission-led relocation, or placing the building under interim protection leading toward local landmark designation.
Parish representatives said they have done a limited structural assessment and will commission more detailed cost estimates as part of evaluating proposals. "We've done limited assessment, but we've not gone through in detail yet evaluating... what the cost structure would be to implement those," the committee chair said; he said detailed evaluation work was likely to run into February 2026.
Grant and listing assistance: Commission staff described existing grant and nomination supports. The commission offers an 80/20 grant to hire a consultant to prepare a National Register nomination; staff estimated a single-structure nomination might cost several thousand dollars to around $3,400 (applicant responsible for 20%). Staff said National Register listing could open additional grant options but stopped short of guaranteeing eligibility.
Community input and likely uses: Parish committee members said ideas received so far range widely "from leaving the structure as is to using it in some form for parish activities or retreats or meeting centers for scouts and youth" and included several commercial or third-party uses such as coffee shops among outlier suggestions. Committee members emphasized the parish's priority for parish needs while weighing community benefit.
Ending: Parish representatives provided contact information and said they welcome further input and follow-up with commission staff and members as the feasibility work continues.
