Bush Stadium is back in the game

INDIANAPOLIS,(WISH) - It's been an empty, aging, eyesore, and now, Bush Stadium has become a crucial piece of the westside Indianapolis redevelopment puzzle. 

Now, Bush Stadium is getting back in the game.

24 Hour News 8 got a first of its kind tour to show you what's hidden behind the old outfield walls.

Built in 1931, Bush Stadium is getting a $13 million makeover, that is literally changing the redevelopment game.  

The lobby of the new Stadium Loft apartments is where the old entrance and ticket turnstiles used to be.

It will have a baseball park feel, with a  fitness center and meeting space instead of concession stands. 

Down the hall you'll find everything from a 1500 square foot loft apartment with a bathroom, closet and kitchen, but no other interior walls, to a 550 square foot apartment with a patio that opens to the former baseball diamond. 

There will be 138 units in all, ranging in cost from about $600 to $1200 a month.

"You'll have the look of suites at the baseball stadium, with balconies overlooking green space that will be 400 feet from where home plate is to the outfield wall," says John Watson of Core Redevelopment, the man behind the project. 

He says it's a small piece of a much bigger near west side Indianapolis business redevelopment effort called "16-tech."

Located near downtown, the IUPUI campus and walking trails,  it's already attracting attention.

By keeping the scoreboard, stadium lights and press box, even the baseball hall of fame is interested in the project. 

"Cooperstown called and said they'd heard about the project, how unique it was. And it was the only repurposing of a baseball stadium that had been done. And they want to do an exhibit on it because it's so unique," says Watson.  

The big lights, press box and scoreboard are for looks and won't function.

The Stadium Lofts will begin leasing in March and open in August, but already there is a list of potential customers who have called, ready to take an apartment when they are available. 

Also this spring, in the back parking lot of the 15 acre site, another 144 units will be built. 

They will be called Stadium Flats.

They are set to open in 2014.

The city has kicked in about three-and-a-half million dollars for street scaping in the area.