The Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association (HMPNA) is in the process of seeking to become a conservation district. Historic Meridian Park (HMP) is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to the hard work of many of our long-time neighbors. The current board is seeking to have further protections for the neighborhood by creating a conservation district that will help homeowners and investors make changes that honor the historic character of the neighborhood without being overly restrictive. The HMPNA board’s primary interest is in protecting and retaining the rich history of the neighborhood for everyone who live here now or will in the future.
Per Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission’s (IHPC) handbook, in Marion County historic districts and conservation districts represent different strategies to preservation chosen for the unique needs of specific areas. Once the IHPC designates a historic area, whether it is a historic district or conservation district, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) will be required for specified changes, new construction, and demolition. However, the level of protection differs in the following way:
- In historic districts, such as Monument Circle or the Old Northside, every proposed change to the exterior of a building requires a COA except those that are specifically exempted by the plan or the IHPC Policies and Procedures. This implies a strategy to protect architectural details as well as overall character.
- In conservation districts, such as Ransom Place or Cumberland, only the proposed changes specified in the plan require a COA and some design guidelines are not as strict as in a historic district. This implies a strategy to protect overall character more than small details.
The HMPNA board wants to work with neighbors to ensure that those elements of the homes that are significant to its character, are preserved and its historic value is protected. Information regarding future listening sessions will be published on the neighborhood Facebook page, the Urban Times, and on yard signs throughout the neighborhood.