INDIANAPOLIS — The nearly 100-year-old Larue Carter Veterans Administration hospital has sat empty near Marian University's campus for nearly a decade. The university is now transforming it into a place for healthy minds.
Marian University officials celebrated the beginning of the old VA hospital's renovation into an education and job training complex on Wednesday. The building will anchor the Riverside Education Innovation District (REID), which hopes to increase the quality of life and education in Marian's neighborhood.
"It's almost unlimited potential," said Marian University president Dan Elsener. "I worked 10 to 12 years to get this all done. I used to pray we'd get this done and get this thing moving."
The development of REID, which includes the old VA, could cost $137 million and take five years to complete. When it opens, it will host education programs for adults, teenagers, and young children, including pre-kindergarten services.
"It's so important to start at this ground level with children as young as possible because their brains are just sponges," said Michelle Radomsky of St. Mary's Early Childhood Center, which will administer the pre-K program in the building.
"It's a classic attempt to increase human flourishing through partnerships,' Elsener said. "Vincennes University. Catholic schools. Public schools. Charter schools."
The nearby Flanner House will also partner with Marian University and REID when the hub opens. Executive director Brandon Cosby said it will be successful as long as Marian keeps the focus on the neighborhood.
"As much as this is going to stand out as a model across the state, the most important people Marian has to serve are the people who are in closest physical proximation to it," Cosby said. "To have a real plan in place where real work and impact is going to happen for the residents, I think it's huge."
Elsener believes Marian's mission is to make the community around the university better, including through the former VA's renovation.
"We have all these great things a university has, let's put them to work for the good of God's people," Elsener said.
-
Indy residents meet with city leaders for regulations on short-term rentals
More than a hundred people gathered at the Womack Memorial CME Church along with community leaders, including IMPD and Indianapolis Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
Ballard starts '100 Hoosiers, 100 Signatures' for Secretary of State campaign
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard needs about 37,000 verified signatures from registered voters to qualify for the ballot as an independent candidate.
Indiana attorney general sues Roblox and Discord over child safety concerns
Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corp. and Discord Inc. alleging the companies failed to provide sufficient protections against online predators targeting children.
Sunny but still cool; rain returns Friday
hilly conditions this morning, but we will look for some sunshine today. More rain chances work into the state for the end of the work week.
