Located in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood in Indianapolis, the Golden Ages NNORC is being developed by Martin University. Its banner issue is home modifications and in-home safety.
Geographic region covered: The Golden Ages NNORC is currently bounded by:
History of the neighborhood: The original Brightwood settlers claimed land farms in the area in the 1820s and 1830s. In 1872, the original plat was signed; it was amended in 1874, outlining a plan for a residential community. Brightwood became Indianapolis’ railroad suburb. During this time African-Americans built homes and churches in Martindale. In 1897, Brightwood was annexed into the city of Indianapolis. By 1902, Brightwood had become a railroad town with four-fifths of the population dependent upon the railroad. However, by1944, Brightwood was no longer a railroad stop and the railroad station was razed. The population peak of the neighborhood occurred in 1960, with an estimated 25,702 residents.
Also in 1960, residents formed the Martindale Brightwood Neighborhood Association as a result of the area’s participation in Model Cities, a federal urban renewal and rehabilitation program. When the railroads left the neighborhood, the population migrated to the suburbs. In 1965, construction of the I-65 and I-70 routes through Martindale Brightwood divided portions of the community causing residents and businesses to move. Currently 94% of the people living in Martindale Brightwood are African-American.
Past strengths: Strengths of the Martindale Brightwood community identified in the past include the ability of the neighborhood associations to come together to organize against unemployment, loss of businesses, crime, lack of housing, rehabilitation funds, social services and commercial investments.
Past challenges: Two of the most significant Martindale Brightwood community faced were dependence on the railroad, which led to significant high unemployment when the railroad closed and the changes (both geographic and demographic) caused by the construction of Rural Street, the I-70 Industrial Park and and the legs of I-65 and I-70 that run through the neighborhood. The area became designated as a “most in need” district as part of the federal Model Cities rehabilitation program.
Current challenges: The neighborhood does not meet the high income requirements of many retailers; hence there is a lack of midlevel retail and specialty stores (i.e., clothing store, shoe shop, book store, gardening and floral shop). The area does not have a major grocery/drug store within walking distance and the streets and sidewalks in many blocks are in need of repair. There are a significant number of abandoned buildings and houses in the community which tends to create an environment that fosters and perpetuates a high crime rate.
Current strengths: Presently, the greatest strength of Martindale Brightwood is the ability to come together and function as a Community Coalition. By functioning in this manner, the four Neighborhood Organizations are able to develop a cohesive comprehensive community Neighborhood Plan that will address their needs. The Coalition is able to bring together a number of significant organizations to help bring about change in the community (i.e. MB Community Development Corp., Oasis of Hope Community Development Corp, Making Connections (Annie E. Casey Foundation) 10 year commitment, City of Indianapolis, National Crime initiative, MB Weed and Seed, Genesis Plaza Health Net services and facility, and Martin University). Additional assets in the community include Keystone Enterprise Park, Rural Street I-70 Industrial Park, Genesis Plaza, Opportunities Park, Reid’s Plaza, and New Ralston Estates.
Opportunities for growth: Martindale Brightwood is a community who has taken ownership and, with the help of partners, is working to address critical issues impacting the neighborhood and aging in place. The Martindale Brightwood Local Learning Partnership documents process and progress. The results are reported back to the residents during their quarterly town hall meetings.
For more information:
Dennis Jackson, Ed.D, | Shirley Webster, |
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