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Committee approves $1.00 million appropriation for Lafayette Square projects and site remediation
Summary
The committee approved an additional $1,000,914.25 in DMD funds for Lafayette Square revitalization, Black Mountain site remediation, Section 108 loan payment and property tax bills on recently acquired parcels.
The Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee approved an additional appropriation of $1,000,914.25 on Monday to fund several Department of Metropolitan Development projects, including Lafayette Square revitalization efforts and environmental remediation at the former Black Mountain site.
DMD Director Megan Vukasich told the committee the appropriation covers multiple line items. The package includes $100,000 to support a project called the Promenade at the Square (to help close a funding gap for an affordable-housing project in the Lafayette Square area), $650,000 for design and construction of a trail along Mueller Road (from 30th/8th to Mueller Way) supported by international marketplace stakeholders, and $304,025 to continue remediation of the Black Mountain site at 3515 East Washington Street.
Vukasich said the Black Mountain site is a former industrial/recycling property contaminated with an estimated 120,000 tons of foundry sand; the 2024 legal settlement with the liable party provided funds that are being reappropriated for the remaining remediation work. She said the Brownfield fund will cover remediation activities, with additional support from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Indiana Finance Authority.
The appropriation also includes funds to pay down a Section 108 loan for infrastructure improvements at Central State and $150,000 to pay outstanding property tax bills on parcels at the Town and Terrace development that DMD has recently acquired.
Councilors asked whether the funds were coming from prior district revenues and why the Section 108 payment was not included in the annual budget; Vukasich said some funding comes from the former CREED (Community Revitalization Enhancement District) and a 2024 settlement, and the Section 108 payoff opportunity arose after the 2024 budget closed and was pursued to avoid potential federal clawback and reduce future interest costs.
Local business and neighborhood leaders from the Lafayette Square area spoke in support of the appropriation, saying the investments would improve pedestrian access and neighborhood vitality. The proposal passed by voice vote.
