Indy community center opens

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The first phase of a new community center, 37 Place, officially opened Monday morning after a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The center serves the historic "Martindale Brightwood" neighborhood.

About $4 million was spent to improve the former Indianapolis Public School No. 37. The renovation money came through grants and private donations.

Some of the improvements made to approximately 27,000 square-feet of the school's original building include air conditioning and an elevator.

Mayor Greg Ballard said the new center reflects the best efforts of a lot of people and speaks well for Indianapolis’ character.

“Just to have a place like this is going to mean so much to this community,” he said. “I know the school meant a lot to this community, but now this building, which meant so much, has now been transformed into something that will be extremely valuable as we go forward.”

The school was built in 1927 but closed in 2008.

In 2010, the Central Indiana Community Foundation acquired a lease for the building, and following a neighborhood-led preparation of the building. Renovations began in 2011.