RAFINO Report
ISSUE 20 - Spring 1998 - Return to Index

FORT BEN HOUSES FOR SALE!
Through the courtesy of Jack Larsen

A couple of months ago, Jack Larsen - who lives in California - passed on some clippings newspaper clippings from the November 16th, 1997 issue of the Indianapolis Star sent to him by a friend back in Indianapolis.  One of the articles from the Real Estate Section, contained many interesting photos of places we all have seen many times, and carried a caption which reads, "CENTURY TO CENTURY."  The gist of the articles and some excerpts are: "New owners are giving new life to homes on Fort Benjamin Harrison's Lawton Loop."  The article goes on to explain that "…47 residential and office units along Lawton Loop (the stately circle through Ft. Ben that has housed Army officers for nine decades) built in 1906 have been sold by the Ft. Harrison Reuse Authority for $83.3 to a real estate company." 

Apparently the quarters are very popular and were selling fast.  Buildings on the Loop are on the National Historic Register A large duplex (4,600 sq. ft.) goes for $250K!  There are plans to redo the street lights, put in new porch lights, and build new garages - all in a style keeping with history - with the intent of creating a "world class historic district."  The head of the company which purchased the entire Loop area is to live in the separate house - -8,000 sq. ft., where once the CG's lived -- currently being renovated because the Army had cut it up into separate apartments. 

One buyer, doing a lot of fix-up work before moving in, said: "I'm surprised at how beautiful the houses are…..but not surprised that they are in such good shape.  But then the Army wasn't going to let their officers live in anything that wasn't kept up."  There are eternal covenants that preserve the parade ground.  The owners hope to have Army band concerts played there on holidays such as the 4th of July along with-appropriately-fireworks.  The objective was declared as, "When finished, this will look like a turn-of-the-century community."

Another article is entitled, "LOCAL FINANCE CENTER MIGHT BE PRIVATIZED - Defense Department plan could put 2,800 jobs here in jeopardy."  Countering that gloomy possibility, there are thoughts that on the bright side more jobs could come as a result of privatization.  This suggestion was made by the Mayor of Indianapolis."  The move toward privatization may take years, however, and the Finance Center might actually gain jobs because of newly announced plans to close eight satellite finance offices."  Which offices are targeted to close has not been decided --or at least, has not been disclosed.