On May 17, 2016, the Executive Director of the FHRA met with Fortune Academy to discuss Fortune’s interest in the PX building which has sat vacant for more than 18 years. During the meeting, it was brought up that FHRA(with the ReUse Board approval) would be interested in giving the PX building to Fortune Academy at no cost. It was made clear that Fortune is an important member of the community and was excited to see the PX building transformed into Fortune High School. The Executive Director stated that the next board meeting was June 20th, but that he was going to speak with the Re-Use board members before that date in order to expedite the process.
The Executive Director then met with a Fortune Academy Board of Trustee and Lawton Loop resident on June 3 to discuss the possibility/process of the FHRA handing the PX building to Fortune Academy. He stated that the Re-Use Authority Board would like Fortune to “make an offer” for the building and that the FHRA would require Fortune to occupy the PX building for 10-15 years, FHRA having first right to purchase should Fortune put the building on the market, and allow for the right of way for the access road to go through.
Fortune Academy made an offer of $20,000.00 for the PX building, agreed to the access road, and committed to staying 10 years, with first right to purchase at current market value. The Re-Use Authority held a retreat on June 3rd, 2016, at which time they turned down the $20,000.00 purchase price offer. The ReUse Board responded that the new purchase price for the PX building was now $200,000.00 and also stated that Fortune must agree to all previous stated stipulations with the altered duration for occupying the building now set at 15 years.
Fortune Academy is willing to agree to the 10 year term, but will not agree to such a price. We believe $20,000 is more than a fair price considering a building that has been left standing with virtually no repairs for almost two decades. The renovation costs for this building alone, are estimated at $1.5-1.8 million dollars. The commitment and investment to the neighborhood is PRICELESS.
The law firm Ice Miller sent Fortune Academy paperwork to write up a formal purchase proposal which was completed and hand delivered to the ReUse Authority Board on June 20th, 2016
Fortune Academy has heard nothing since that date.
Updates
July 1, 2016
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This response demonstrates that the community cares deeply about the future of the PX building.
Reached 250 supporters
June 29, 2016
June 29, 2016
The lack of progress regarding the PX building remains frustrating despite our multiple attempts to engage the board in productive dialogue. We are currently preparing a formal inquiry to address the discrepancies between their initial verbal commitments and their current refusal to act.
June 29, 2016
The response to this campaign indicates a growing consensus that the PX building deserves a productive future. This momentum confirms the community desire to see the property repurposed for the benefit of our students. We will continue to advocate for this outcome with the seriousness the situation requires.
Reached 100 supporters
June 28, 2016
78 Comments
My daughter attends this school, going into the 5th grade. I can't tell you the value this school is and improving her education, self worth and a desire to attend a post secondary institution. The staff at this school is teaching her in ways to help her learn that the public school can not.
A building that has sat empty for so many years could have the opportunity to be renovated AND educate our kids is a no brainier Lawerence! FA operates very professionally with the best education and welfare of the students always their top priority. Their presence in your community is only positive !
20,000 is reidicous!!!! As a former student of this school, I can only say that Fortune had the best intentions for this vacant space, which they could really benefit from!! Not only will they expand in size, but hopefully expand in students and touch lives the way they touched mine. Fortune Academy is very well deserving of this.
Both of my children have attended this school. It is a tremendous resource for the city and it's expansion to be able to help more students and families should be supported. We moved cross country for this school, Indianapolis does not recognize how fortunate they are to have this school!
The 20.000 is a very reasonable price to pay and please do not let the old ugly powerful word greed get in the way a a great school program that is making a difference in so many kids life's. Thank you
The children at Fortune Academy will bring purpose and life to this vacant building. Do not squander community resources!!
This school is an excellent neighbor in the community and is making it possible for many students to succeed who would otherwise be marginalized in public schools.
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On May 17, 2016, the Executive Director of the FHRA met with Fortune Academy to discuss Fortune’s interest in the PX building which has sat vacant for more than 18 years. During the meeting, it was brought up that FHRA(with the ReUse Board approval) would be interested in giving the PX building to Fortune Academy at no cost. It was made clear that Fortune is an important member of the community and was excited to see the PX building transformed into Fortune High School. The Executive Director stated that the next board meeting was June 20th, but that he was going to speak with the Re-Use board members before that date in order to expedite the process.
The Executive Director then met with a Fortune Academy Board of Trustee and Lawton Loop resident on June 3 to discuss the possibility/process of the FHRA handing the PX building to Fortune Academy. He stated that the Re-Use Authority Board would like Fortune to “make an offer” for the building and that the FHRA would require Fortune to occupy the PX building for 10-15 years, FHRA having first right to purchase should Fortune put the building on the market, and allow for the right of way for the access road to go through.
Fortune Academy made an offer of $20,000.00 for the PX building, agreed to the access road, and committed to staying 10 years, with first right to purchase at current market value. The Re-Use Authority held a retreat on June 3rd, 2016, at which time they turned down the $20,000.00 purchase price offer. The ReUse Board responded that the new purchase price for the PX building was now $200,000.00 and also stated that Fortune must agree to all previous stated stipulations with the altered duration for occupying the building now set at 15 years.
Fortune Academy is willing to agree to the 10 year term, but will not agree to such a price. We believe $20,000 is more than a fair price considering a building that has been left standing with virtually no repairs for almost two decades. The renovation costs for this building alone, are estimated at $1.5-1.8 million dollars. The commitment and investment to the neighborhood is PRICELESS.
The law firm Ice Miller sent Fortune Academy paperwork to write up a formal purchase proposal which was completed and hand delivered to the ReUse Authority Board on June 20th, 2016
Fortune Academy has heard nothing since that date.
Updates
July 1, 2016
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This response demonstrates that the community cares deeply about the future of the PX building.
Reached 250 supporters
June 29, 2016
June 29, 2016
The lack of progress regarding the PX building remains frustrating despite our multiple attempts to engage the board in productive dialogue. We are currently preparing a formal inquiry to address the discrepancies between their initial verbal commitments and their current refusal to act.
June 29, 2016
The response to this campaign indicates a growing consensus that the PX building deserves a productive future. This momentum confirms the community desire to see the property repurposed for the benefit of our students. We will continue to advocate for this outcome with the seriousness the situation requires.
Reached 100 supporters
June 28, 2016
78 Comments
This school has a special place in my heart as a substitute teacher there, and I want to see it able to grow and continue in the incredible work it is doing for our students who have language learning differences.
My daughter attends this school, going into the 5th grade. I can't tell you the value this school is and improving her education, self worth and a desire to attend a post secondary institution. The staff at this school is teaching her in ways to help her learn that the public school can not.
A building that has sat empty for so many years could have the opportunity to be renovated AND educate our kids is a no brainier Lawerence! FA operates very professionally with the best education and welfare of the students always their top priority. Their presence in your community is only positive !
20,000 is reidicous!!!! As a former student of this school, I can only say that Fortune had the best intentions for this vacant space, which they could really benefit from!! Not only will they expand in size, but hopefully expand in students and touch lives the way they touched mine. Fortune Academy is very well deserving of this.
Both of my children have attended this school. It is a tremendous resource for the city and it's expansion to be able to help more students and families should be supported. We moved cross country for this school, Indianapolis does not recognize how fortunate they are to have this school!
The 20.000 is a very reasonable price to pay and please do not let the old ugly powerful word greed get in the way a a great school program that is making a difference in so many kids life's. Thank you
The children at Fortune Academy will bring purpose and life to this vacant building. Do not squander community resources!!
This school is an excellent neighbor in the community and is making it possible for many students to succeed who would otherwise be marginalized in public schools.
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This school has a special place in my heart as a substitute teacher there, and I want to see it able to grow and continue in the incredible work it is doing for our students who have language learning differences.