A historical property, the former Larue Carter Campus, will be restored and turned into a learning hub as part of the Riverside Education Innovation District.
Marian University will work with partner organizations to help transform the former Larue Carter Campus, which is also a former United States Veterans Administration Hospital, into a building with a new purpose as part of the Riverside Education Innovation District. Marian University received grant funding from Lilly Endowment via its College and Community Collaboration initiative, portions of which will be going toward this historical building restoration project in aid of the Riverside Education Innovation District initiative.
According to an article on Marian University’s website, Daniel J. Elsener, the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the project, “This innovative hub is dedicated to the dramatic advancement of educational attainment, and ultimately, growth in the economic, social and cultural vibrancy of the neighborhood. As an anchor institution, we bring our unflagging commitment to excellence in learning to walk alongside our neighbors to make the Near Northwest Area an exemplary community here in the city, state and nationally.”
The building at the focus of the restoration has long sat vacant, but will now become home to workforce development services, education, and community learning resources. The purpose of the project is to help revitalize the Near Northwest Area of Indianapolis and create a community full of learning and education opportunities.
Brandt Construction and Schmidt Associates will be designing and building the former United States Veterans Administration Hospital. Chirag Patel, who is the president of Brandt Construction, said, “This project is a testament to the power of collaboration in building stronger communities. Brandt Construction and Schmidt Associates look forward to delivering a space that will serve generations to come.”
Speaking further on the Riverside Education Innovation District, Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, who serves as the Vice President of the Klipsch Educators College, said, “Supporting literacy and lifelong learning cannot be only a school and teacher-led initiative. It should also be properly resourced and supported by the community. The Riverside Education Innovation District offers tremendous opportunities for our schools and the community as a whole.”
Some work on the former Larue Carter Campus space is already underway. Lighting, security, and groundskeeping work is starting to be addressed.
For more information about Marian University, visit the school’s website.