Irvington Post Office Destroyed in Storm

For the past year, the Irvington community has been hard at work raising money to save the historic Irvington Post Office and Hook's Drug Store.  In October, they raised enough money to put on a new roof.  Straight line winds destroyed the structure today. No lives were lost and thankfully, no one was hurt, but there are heavy hearts in the neighborhood tonight.  A piece of Irvington's heritage has been lost....

Photo by Catherine Phillips Kippert on November 17, 2013

Phoenix Rising Along East Washington Street

For two years, the neighborhood has held its breath.  Would the former Irvington Post Office/Hook's Drug Store survive another year?  In near ruinous condition due to poor stewardship, the structure had deteriorated rapidly.   Thankfully, the Irvington Development Corporation and the Irvington Historical Society partnered to save the structure.  They bought the building and found grant money to stabilize it. This week, workers have removed the roof and shored up the walls.  They are in the process of rebuilding the second floor and will soon rebuild the roof.  I commend the leaders of these two organizations for having the foresight and the will to save a piece of Irvington's heritage.  This is certainly a great day for Irvington and the commercial corridor along East Washington Street.

A Deal Near for Historic Building?

The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission reports that Tharp Investments has asked for another continuance until August.  The firm is attempting to sell the former Post Office and Hook's Drug Store.  The company has been in lengthy negotiations with an unnamed buyer for most of the spring and early summer.  If the deal falls through then Tharp will ask for permission to demolish the building in August.  Hopefully, the ink can be signed soon and the building rescued from it current situation.  More details will be posted as they become known.

Potential Sale on the Horizon for Troubled Historic Structure

Tharp Investments has asked for another continuance from the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.   The company originally asked for permission to demolish the former Irvington Post Office and Hook's Drug Store (5502 East Washington St.), but the firm has delayed that request.  The IHPC is reporting that the corporation is still in negotiations to sell the building and has asked for a continuance until July.  If the deal falls through, they may still ask the agency for permission to demolish the historic structure; however, there appears to be a credible offer on the table.   More details will be posted as they become available.  The potential sale of this structure is welcome news for this forlorn-looking, but important corner of Irvington.

Reprieve for Historic Building!

The former Irvington Post Office and Hook's Drug Store has been taken off the docket for the hearing on May 2, 2012, at the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.  Tharp Investments has asked for another continuance because they are attempting to sell the building to an interested buyer.  While nothing is definite, this is welcome news for this corner of Irvington.  The company had originally asked for permission to demolish the historic structure.  If the deal falls through, they may yet make that request possibly in June.  More details will be posted as they become available.

Lost Irvington--5500 East Washington Street

While most of Irvington's residential area remains intact, the commercial artery has suffered severe losses over the years. Both the 5400 and 5500 blocks have been the most devastated. Much of the destruction of the 5500 block has occurred in the last ten years by Tharp Investments. In this newspaper photo, taken in 1950, you can see the liveliness and density of the block. All of the buildings visible in this photo are now GONE! All of the demolition took place before Irvington was a preservation district. Since gaining protected status, Tharp has attempted to demolish more of the neighborhood, but has been stopped. On May 2, 2012, (5:30--City County Building) the firm will once again try to remove another piece of Irvington's heritage at 5502 East Washington Street. The last remaining historic structure on the north side of the 5500 block of East Washington Street could face the wrecking ball if the corporation gets its wish. This photo is an illustration as to why Irvingtonians must PROTECT what we have left. Perhaps one day, the rest of Washington Street will get to experience the glorious renaissance taking place in the 5600 block.

Hearing Postponed Until May 2, 2012

Tharp Investments has asked for a continuance on a request to demolish 5502 East Washington Street. The firm seeks to remove the former Irvington Post Office and Hook's Drug Store so that they can obtain seven additional parking spaces. The company will make their case in front of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission in the City County Building on May 2, 2012, at 5:30 PM. Mark your calendars!! More details will be posted as they become available.

IRVINGTON HERITAGE THREATENED!!

Tharp Investments, which owns 5502 EastWashington Street, will be asking for permission to demolish the former Irvington Post Office and Hook's Drug Store. Tharp Investments has been responsible for the destruction of several historic buildings along Washington Street and Ritter Avenue over the years. The community has been able to thwart the company's desire for more demolition since Irvington is now a protected district. Most Irvington residents know the building for its most recent use as a blood plasma center. The corner has been the most unpopular in the neighborhood for decades. In 2002, the plasma center moved into a new building in the same block. Tharp Investments has done little to no maintenance on the vacant building for over a decade. The ravages of time are beginning to show.

Tharp Investments will appear before the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission on March 7, 2012, at 5:30PM to ask permission to demolish a piece of Irvington history. If you are concerned about this potentially staggering loss contact the Irvington Development Corporation, the Irvington Community Council, and plan to be present at the meeting to make your voice heard. More information will be forthcoming.