News
2/23/10
Itinerary for February 25 Park Planning Meeting Announced
Pocket park planning continues on Thursday, February 25. MFCDC and the Public Allies are looking for resident input on two topics. 1) General Park Planning (where and what) and 2) Planning for the Great Indy Cleanup on April 17, 2010. MFCDC would like to see the cleanup efforts focuses on the pocket park locations so neighbors can use the green space areas.
2/8/10
Itinerary for February 13th Park Planning Announced!
Park Planning efforts continue on Saturday, February 13! Join MFCDC and the Public Allies to learn more about what MFC neighbors want their new pocket parks to look like. We will be meeting at Unleavened Bread Cafe (30th and Central) at 12:30pm to divvy surveys and assign locations. From there, we are off to meet some neighbors and gather input! We will conclude surveying at 2:45pm and make our way to Broadway United Methodist Church (29th and Broadway) to debrief and discuss our findings. We will wrap everything up by 4:30pm. We hope you will join us!
1/25/10
CALLING ALL NEIGHBORS... THERE IS A PARK IN YOUR FUTURE!
Join MFCDC to plan 3 new pocket parks for the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood!
Many of you have said that the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood needs more green space to be a healthy and enjoyable place for residents of all ages. So, with the generous support of the Central Indiana Community Foundation and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, MFCDC will be working to develop three pocket parks in Mapleton-Fall Creek! And, we want YOU to be on the team to design YOUR parks! Join us to explore what the new parks will look like and help us decide how each one will be developed! Mark these dates on your calendar and be sure to join us!
January 28 - Community Input Session for Parks
3:30-5:00pm @ Broadway Church (29th & Broadway)
February 13 - Neighbor Surveying
Meet at 12:30pm @ Unleavened Bread Cafe (30th & Central) for Surveying assignments
12:30-2:45pm survey neighbors about parks
3:00-4:30pm Community Discussion @ Broadway Church (29th & Broadway)
February 25 - Community Input Session for Parks
6:00-7:30pm @ Broadway Church (29th & Broadway)
March 25 - Community Input Session for Parks
6:00-7:30pm @ Broadway Church (29th & Broadway)
April 17 - Great Indy Cleanup (at the site of the new pocket park on the 3000 block of Ruckle Street)
May 8 - Public Allies Service Day: Park Beautification and play day with friends and neighbors... games, contests, and cook out (time and location TBD)
1/5/10
Commercial Façade Grants Available
If you are thinking of renovating the façade of your commercial building this grant could help fund your investment. Building owners and tenants (with owner’s approval) can apply. Let Indianapolis partners match your out of pocket expenses 50/50, up to $20,000. Application deadline is February 26, 2010. For more information or to apply click here.
1/1/10
Happy New Year and Happy 25th Anniversary to Us!
2010 is a very special year for MFCDC as we celebrate 25 Years of Service in the Mapleton-Fall Creek community! The theme for this year is Roots and Shoots. We are reflecting on all the partners and supporters that have helped us set strong roots and a solid foundation and we are looking ahead to the shoots that will produce vibrant new growth. MFCDC will be hosting several events during 2010 to celebrate 25 years and we hope you will join us! The first event is the launching of our new website design. See it first at www.mfcdc.org. The next big event will be our Annual Meeting in Spring 2010, stay tuned for more details! Lastly, we'd like to send a very sincere "Thank You" to all of our past and present supporters and partners. We've achieved so much together! We look forward to working with you in 2010 and beyond!
1/1/10
MFCDC Exceeds Its Goals for NAP Credits
MFCDC is proud to annouce that it has exceeded its goal for selling Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Tax Credits! Although we'd like to think of ourselves as great sales people, the overwhelming interest in these tax credits are due to what a great value they are. We still have some available for 2010, so get yours early! Make your money work harder by purchasing Neighborhood Assistance (NAP) Tax Credits, (receive 50% of your donation to MFCDC back in tax credits) learn more by reading this NAP Tax Credit brochure.
12/18/09
MFCDC Business Networking Meeting
Early on a chilly December morning, 60+ Mapleton-Fall Creek (MFC) business neighbors gathered to connect and catch up on neighborhood happenings. The crowd convened for breakfast (courtesy of the Unleavened Bread Café) and fellowship as neighborhood representatives and the Mayor of Indianapolis, Gregory Ballard, shared words of opportunity and encouragement.
Neighborhood speakers included:
Mayor Greg Ballard shared his thoughts on the appointment of the City's new public safety director, MFC's commitment to sustainability, the importance of continued city-neighborhood partnerships, and the City of Indianapolis' confidence in the livelihood of MFC.
Jeff Rode, Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council: Jeff spoke about the importance of minority businesses in the neighborhood and the resources available to registered W/MBE's. Register your business with the City of Indianapolis here and with IMSDC here.
Jeff Kolp, State Farm Insurance: Jeff rallied the troops to take action! He spoke passionately about the strategic work of the Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation in coming years. Get involved in the economic development of our neighborhood or request an invitation to our next networking event by clicking here.
Tricia Mera, the Community Garden Resource Center, Inc.: Tricia spoke about the CGRC, Mapleton-Fall Creek's newest urban farming/community garden initiative. The CGRC is a multi-phased project, offering community garden space, educational classes, and a garden supply and bait shop. This project was designed to encourage home and community food production using organic and sustainable methods. We are all very excited about this project and wish Tricia, Ruby, and all the best of luck!
A special thanks to Fifth Third Bank for co-hosting another successful neighborhood networking event with the Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation! See the photo slideshow here.
12/17/09
What a Turnout! MFCDC Holiday Party and Open House at 2930 N Park Ave
MFCDC hosted a Holiday Party and Open House on December 17, 2009. What a turnout! From 3pm to 6pm, there was a steady stream of friends, neighbors, and interested homebuyers walking through the newly renovated home at 2930 N Park Avenue. MFCDC staff and Public Allies volunteers channeled all of their holiday spirit into decorating and preparing food for the event. There is no doubt that this home is perfect for gathering and celebrating! We all had a wonderful reconnecting with old friends and meeting new friends. Click here for the photo slideshow. The renovations completed on the home received much acclaim and many attendees were excited at see how well the the charming turn of the century architectural features intermingled with the energy efficient and modern design elements. 2930 N Park Avenue is currently up for sale and move-in ready for a very special family. The 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is listed for $114,000, but a qualified buyer would be eligible for up to $15,000 Down Payment Assistance. Click here to learn more about 2930 N Park Ave.
12/8/09
The Children's Museum Annual Holiday Party
On Tuesday, December 8, The Childrens' Museum held another wonderful Holiday Party, free to the public! The Yule Slide was bustling with giggling kids, the free food buffet was tasty, the band didn't miss a beat, and the dancers put on an exciting show! Staff members, Jackie, Doressa, and Brooke were able to join in the Holiday Spirit by setting up a booth and sharing information about MFCDC with neighbors. Click here to see slideshow.
11/15/09
Fall Creek/College Ave Green Infrastructure Project
The City of Indianapolis completed construction on a green infrastructure pilot project to improve water quality in Fall Creek. This project, the first of its kind in the city, uses native plants, soil, stone, and other natural elements to filter pollutants from storm water before releasing it into Fall Creek. Click here to see slideshow.
11/7/09
Introducing MFCDC's Weatherization Program
MFCDC is the recipient of Stimulus funding to carry out Weatherization rehabs. Wes, our certified Energy Auditor, will perform audits on houses and make repairs to seal houses properly to minimize energy costs. Our clients must be recipients of the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI). If you are interested in this program you must be first enroll in LIHEAP and secondly, meet income qualifications. MFCDC will help 31 households by May 2010 and may seek additional funding for another year. The Weatherization program does not fully cover administrative costs, so if you feel that creating safe and energy efficient houses is important, please consider supporting this program with your donation! Your financial support will be used to better assist households with information and referral services, and to help families enroll in our Home Repair Program (which assists an additional 20 households each year).
11/5/09
Indianapolis Foundation Funds Pocket Parks in MFC
The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, awarded MFCDC a grant in the amount of $60,000 to acquire 7-9 lots for the creation of 3 pocket parks in the MFC neighborhood! MFCDC pursued this grant after hearing feedback from the community that MFC did not have enough green space. Planning sessions for the pocket parks will be scheduled in the near future, so stay tuned!
11/3/09
Wabash Volunteer Day
A group of 16 Wabash volunteers spent a Saturday morning helping MFCDC remove old carpet from the office to make way for new carpet donated by Joe Whitsett, and his brother, _ who generously installed it all. Volunteers moved furniture, computers, file cabinets, and vending machines. Armed with utility knives, scrapers, and twine, they pulled up the old carpet and rolled it up and hauled it to the dumpster. We'd like to thank all the volunteers for all their hard work! Click here to see slideshow.
11/1/09
NSP Award Announcement
Earlier this year, MFCDC was selected as one of six Indianapolis neighborhoods to receive Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds. The City examined our work-plan proposal and decided to award us $3.6 million to to address vacant and abandoned housing (the second highest award amount among all eligible organizations)! These funds will go towards removing blight, rehabbing low income affordable rentals, and providing approximately 20 homeownership opportunities in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood. This is a big step forward in our overarching commitment to improve quality of life in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood!
10/31/09
Probationers Cleanup MFC
During the months of September and October, 128 Probationers took to the streets devoting over 640 hours to clean nearly 20 blocks worth of curbs and streets in MFC! The work hours they completed is valued at nearly $4,640! This work wouldn't have been possible without the superb direction of Georgette Sims, Community Work Services Coordinator for the City of Indpls, and Alice Clifford and Deborah Wilson, work crew leaders. Bruce Schumacher, an Indianapolis Businessman and humanitarian, showed his true colors when he consistently stopped by to carry the load - literally! Health and Hospital Corp lent the tools and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc donated gloves and trash bags for the project. MFCDC offers a huge thanks to all involved and hopes to continue this project in the Spring! Click here to see slideshow.
9/12/09
State of the Neighborhood Festival: Huge Success!
The Mid-North Church Council in collaboration with MFCDC, Miracle on 34th Street, and MFC Unity Group hosted a neighborhood festival to celebrate the MFC neighborhood, to connect residents, and to build community. The event was a tremendous success, and the feedback has been very positive! If you attended the event and are interested in sharing your thoughts about how it was special or how it can be improved for next year, please contact Brooke. We'd love to get a group together in the near future to reconnect about this event. We appreciate that so many MFC residents, business owners, organizations, and stakeholders took time to participate as attendees, booth exhibitors, performers and/or volunteers! You all made the event so very special! Many thanks goes out to Raphael Health Center and their staff members (especially Belva and Rhonda), Nikki Moore at Constitution Gardens, Martha Baker Blue from the Watson-McCord neighborhood, and many other volunteers who went above and beyond and were integral to the success of the event - a heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to everyone! Click here to see slideshow of pictures from the event.