Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v07n17)
ReBloom UpTown at 49th and College
posted: Aug. 20, 2010
by Leif Hinterberger
Leslie Baker, featured at a recent First Friday event at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), is a local artist and a Herron professor, who at the request of KIB reused part of the RCA Dome/Hoosier Dome roof to create an adaptive reuse art installation at 49th and College Avenue. She chose to bring attention to the imperative need to reuse the underutilized blighted block and the need to ReBloom UpTown.
image courtesy of Susan Machledt
When she proposed the flower concept, we thought that the flowers made from the reclaimed material fit well with several local facts: sports play an important role in contributing to our city, the imperative need to prevent core community decline, and how ReBloom UpTown by design meets the regional 20/20 & Insight Vision Plans by creating the comprehensive community benefits.
Via the adaptive reuse art installation, Leslie Baker wanted to bring more attention to the ReBloom UpTown coalition, CAN DO!, MKNA, Harmoni, Linking Families, & Carreau all working together to leverage the needed reinvestments back into the center of each of their respective boundaries.
Through her art medium she wanted to bring more attention to the need for city leadership to assist the reclamation of this critical location within our community, corridor & City.
image courtesy of Susan Machledt
image courtesy of Susan Machledt