On the horizon for the eastside of Indianapolis is the long awaited Pennsy Greenways Trail which is in the final stages of design. Residents and businesses are hopeful that the trail will create an economic boon for the eastside community of Indianapolis. The proposed 5.5 mile multi-use trail will be a resource to both the transportation and recreation systems of the Indianapolis Area. It will connect with the planned Cumberland Pennsy Trail from German Church Road at the east border of Marion County, and with the Pleasant Run Trail linking eastside neighborhoods like Historic Irvington with Garfield Park and ultimately the White River.

The Pennsy Trail has aroused so much excitement on the eastside because of the example set by the Monon Trail. Greenways trails do many things to enhance a community.
"We anticipate the Pennsy Trail will be a tremendous catalyst for positive change along the corridor. Our greenways provide recreation and a greater sense of community to neighborhoods. They also spur the type of commercial and residential investment that strengthen a neighborhood," stated Peggy Boehm, the new Greenways Administrator for Indy Parks.

The Penn Central Rail corridor has had a variety of owners beginning with the completion of the rail line in 1853 under the Indiana Central Railroad. The corridor runs parallel to the existing Old National Road which most people recognize as Washington Street or U.S. 40. As the Pennsylvania Railroad expanded west to reach new development; it acquired the stretch of track between Indianapolis and Richmond in 1921. The corridor then became known as the "Pennsy". Shortly after the merger of the Pennsy with the New York Central Railroad in 1968, the Penn Central rail line claimed bankruptcy. In 1982, the Indiana Central line that contains Pennsy Trail was formally abandoned by the railroad companies.
Upon its completion, the Pennsy trail will be an instrumental piece in helping the state of Indiana fulfill their statewide initiative of having a recreational trail run from Illinois to Ohio.

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This past March, several neighbors on the eastside, realizing the need for a strong collaboration to represent neighborhoods within the boundaries of Emerson, East Washington, Linwood, and Michigan, came together to form the Bosart-Brown Community Organization (BBCO). The BBCO's focus is to bring together existing and newly formed block clubs within the boundaries as one collective voice and to encourage and assist in the establishment of more block clubs within the organization.

BBCO won't take the place of the individual block clubs but hopes to act as a forum for the learning and sharing of information and resources for block clubs within the organization.

Emerson Heights welcomes the Bosart-Brown Community Organization and we look forward to working with the new organization.

To learn more about the Bosart-Brown Community Organization, contact President Don Borden at 375-9755.

Historic Workshop and Books on urban design.

Tina has posted information about historic workshops taking place in Chicago and Kurt has posted information about two books of possible interest to neighborhood residents in our forum on Historic Preservation All Things Old Are New Again

One of the advantages of living near-downtown is that there is always something going on. Mary has posted information in the Forum about the Acoustic Open Stage on Wednesday nights at our very own Sports Bar and Kurt has posted information about Contra dancing at the Athenaeum on Tuesday nights. The first Friday of the month downtown art galleries are open for a tour.

If you are aware of other local venues for art, music, dance, etc., be sure to post it in the Forum under "The Coffee House".

Link to "the Coffee House".

Emerson Heights is part of the Near East Side Community Organization (NESCO), a coalition of more than a dozen active neighborhood associations who work collectively to address issues and challenges on Indianapolis’s east side. Since 1970 NESCO has provided a unified voice for the neighborhoods through its community policing, zoning, code compliance, and liquor license review committees. It has also brought neighbors together at special events such as the annual Feast of Lanterns celebration, its Happy Haunted Halloween party, and its popular pub crawls.

For much of its history NESCO has received significant funding from the city of Indianapolis, but in recent years that support has dwindled. In the most recent budget the city is offering $7,500 to help NESCO pay for the salary of a full-time coordinator for six months. NESCO must apply for the money and must match it with its own funds. NESCO is actively seeking revenue to pay for its portion and welcomes donations of any amount. If you’d like to help support this valuable community asset, contact George Hanlin, Emerson Heights’s NESCO representative, at 322-0866 or georgehanlin@yahoo.com.

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Our community's air, quality of life and property values got a little bit better over the weekend with the planting of 26 shade trees along our streets this past Saturday, October 29th. In what is hoped to become a yearly event, the First Annual Emerson Heights Neighborhood Tree Planting was held on Saturday, October 29th. With the help of Nate Faris, Program/Operations Manager with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), and 29 volunteers, a variety of trees were given a new home in our neighborhood.

The trees came to us from a grant through KIB as part of their Trees for Tomorrow program. KIB, who partnered with Indianapolis Power & Light and Indy Parks, provided 26 trees, mulch (used to surround the trees), and the tools needed to get the trees planted. Faris delivered the trees and used an auger to dig the initial holes on the Friday before.

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Here are some historic photos of the neighborhood courtesy of longtime Emerson Heights resident Jim Schrum. If you have old photos of the neighborhood we would be glad to help you share them. Contact Kurt Wiegand at webmaster@Emersonheights.org for more information.

See update to this story.

Emerson Heights is part of the Near East Side Community Organization (NESCO), a coalition of more than a dozen active neighborhood associations who work collectively to address issues and challenges on Indianapolis’s east side. Since 1970, NESCO has provided a unified voice for the neighborhoods through its community policing, zoning, code compliance, and liquor license review committees. It has also brought neighbors together at special events such as the annual Feast of Lanterns celebration, its Happy Haunted Halloween party, and its popular pub crawls.

For much of its history NESCO has received funding from the city of Indianapolis, but in recent years that support has dwindled. In the most recent budget the city withdrew financial support entirely. Because of the cuts NESCO is now without an executive director. Though the organization has always relied heavily on volunteers, their support is now more vital than ever.

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On September 17, 2005, the Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board voted unanimously to deny a liquor license to William Lee. Mr. Lee was attempting to obtain a beer and wine license for Lee’s Bar & Grill to be established at the vacant McShane's Lounge location.

A group of Emerson Heights residents, led by John and Judy Coe and Kurt Wiegand, and representatives of neighborhood groups, area churches, the Mayor’s Office and IPD remonstrated at the licensing hearing. Armed with petitions, signed by residents living within 500 feet of the McShane's location, and letters from various neighborhood organizations including NESCO and Irvington, the Coes and Wiegand laid the groundwork for the defeat.

The decision was not appealed within the 15-day limit. As a result, the McShane's Lounge property is now for sale. If you know of anyone seeking to start a business or move a business to our area, please let them know about this property.

Thank you to the 29 people who attended the hearing. Your presence was a contributing factor to the defeat. This strong showing once again proves that Emerson Heights residents care and that we can make a difference in our community.