Old jackets, strewn tires, a rusty pickup and trash line a vacant apartment complex in northeast Indianapolis.
Courtyards at Roselawn Park has faced persistent issues with squatters, fires and disturbances since it was vacated. But the troubled complex has created issues for surrounding neighbors dating back at least a decade.
Now, the complex at 5070 Roselawn Drive is one of 12 vacant buildings that will be demolished and rehabilitated as part of the Gateway to Life initiative, spearheaded by the Northeast Indianapolis Community Service Corporation, a community development organization within Kingdom Apostolic Ministries.
The Northeast Indianapolis organization pushed Emerson Park Apartments LLC, the buildings’ property owner, to create something meaningful out of the complex. In 2020, the CEO of the organization spoke with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to help spur the project.
“It’s better to do something with it than nothing because it’s kind of an eyesore,” said Violet Atlee, a neighbor.