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Construction of a new Indiana archives building is slated to begin this summer after a years-long search for a new site to house the state’s vast collection of historical records.
The $102 million building will be located on a narrow strip of land near the Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis, just west of the Senate Avenue Parking Garage on the Central Canal.
In June, the State Budget Committee gave final approval to begin work on the 5-story, 133,000-square foot building.
State officials—including Gov. Eric Holcomb—have maintained that the new building will provide proper storage, maintenance and restoration services for archival documents.
The state archives collection has executive, legislative and judicial records dating back to Indiana’s territorial government of the 1790s, including the 1816 and 1851 state constitutions. That collection has been stored in a warehouse on the east side of Indianapolis that lacks museum-quality climate controls since being moved from the basement of the state library building during a 2001 renovation.
The move was meant to be temporary, given that the location is not equipped for long-term preservation of some of the state’s most important documents.
Matt Kent, chief financial officer at the Indiana Department of Administration, told the budget committee that the new facility will help “ensure the Indiana Archives has the adequate space they need to complete their agency mission.” The building will also “establish a safer environment for the archival records, and also make those records much easier to access for visitors,” he said.
Better conditions for state records
Kent said the new facility will include office space for state archives staff, as well as areas for processing and imaging state records using new technology, climate controlled storage for archive documents, and flexible space for meetings and events.
An underground tunnel connecting the new building to others around the state government campus is additionally planned.
The design and programming phases of the project are already completed.
Now, with funds approved, Kent said groundwork can begin in August at the site—currently an undeveloped plot of land. One lane each on Ohio and New York streets will be closed to facilitate construction.
Vertical construction on the new archives building is expected to start in Spring 2024, Kent said, and the facility will be ready for occupancy in late 2025 or early 2026.
Years in the making
The new project is coming to fruition eight years after former Republican Gov. Mike Pence failed to finance the proposal as part of the state’s bicentennial celebration.
Pence’s contested plan to pay for construction by leasing out state-owned cellphone towers through a public-private partnership was scrapped by Holcomb, Pence’s successor, shortly after taking office in 2017.
State archivists and researchers have since spent years advocating for the new facility.
But settling on a site for the new archives building has been complicated. Previous site considerations included other plots in downtown Indianapolis and the site that was formerly home to the Indiana Women’s Prison.
Authorization for a new state archives building was included in the 2021 Indiana budget. An appropriation to cash-fund the construction was included in the latest two-year budget earlier this year.
State Budget Committee chairman Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, expressed discontent in June about state spending on the new archive.
“Just for the record, I think we’re going way overboard on an archives building. But I think I’m the only one who feels that way, so I’m outnumbered,” Mishler said.
Also critical was Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, who said that—rather than cash-funding the building—the state could have used its highest-possible “AAA” credit rating to borrow $30 million to $40 million years ago at lower interest rates and completed the project for fewer dollars overall.
“That’s why we’re over the top,” Delaney said about the inflated spending costs.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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I wish that The State prioritized the lots to the north of the statehouse. The lot that’s actually on the statehouse grounds itself needs to be converted back into lawn, which a drive-up area for drop-off. The lot North of Ohio should be a parking garage whose perimeter is opened to private development.
+1
The dead space and heat that comes off those parking lots is terrible.
Will there be any restaurants, retail or other public access spaces at Canal Level?
Clint F.
Great question.
Restaurants and retail are needed on the canal. If the right mix is brought
in, it could act as a draw for brining more people in.
As much foot traffic as you THINK is on the canal…it’s one-twentieth what’s needed for most restaurants and businesses to survive. Maybe a creative design element that allows canal-side exposure, with street-level access, would be best.
I would think they would have opted for use of the old historical City /County Building setting vacant in downtown. It is ideal with proper historical refurbishing. It’s a landmark. Just my thoughts.
I suspect the old City Hall would have been more expensive, and likely not large enough. Every time someone proposes to use that building for something, it turns out the renovation is far more than the cost of building new. Modern fire suppression, internet, and proper air handling, all make using that structure as a modern office for anything cost prohibitive. As much as its a beautiful building, I think it’s time to accept that its not likely to be useful. And maybe its time to clear the grounds and start over…
Way to small
Tim S., the old city hall would be a perfect facility for the Jim Isay to permanently display his collection of rock-and-roll instruments. Though I’ve never been in the building, I would imagine you could economically remove the existing ceilings to install a new fire suppression system and HVAC trunks and returns – all exposed to give the space a more contemporary vibe. It could be an awesome place to visit and spend several hours browsing the Irsay Collection.
IBJ Editors: Once again, please include the name of / credit the design firm on the project.
👍
Please tell me there is canal level retail/restaurant space…
The canal is the highest potential/most under-activated urban space I’ve ever seen. Everywhere I travel they have canals lined with cafes and shops and food trucks…It’s right in front of Indy’s face and they just don’t activate it. It could be amazing..
Good comment Nathan!
Instead they build an adult kids playground on Monument Circle.
+1
The state has chosen to use the canal as landscaping for a number of government buildings, all of which would need to be moved to fully activate the space.
Throw in the interstate disconnecting it from being (say) a trail from Broad Ripple to downtown … indeed, a wasted opportunity.
Nathen Z.
+1
I remember the original plans envisioned that very type of usage when the canal
was being developed.
For anyone interested in the math, this new government building will cost $766.92 per square foot (assuming it stays on budget). By comparison, the Salesforce Tower in Indianapolis was sold two-and-a-half years ago for $212.67 per square foot.
That’s a faulty comparison, even as downtown office/mixed use rates are being reconfigured as a result of pandemic/home-work schedules being turned upside down.
The Salesforce Tower is 11 times the size of the proposed new Archives.
Some years ago, the Carroll County Clerk decided to clean house and dispose of records of no further use to that office. Among the discarded documents were poll books from the 1856 and 1860 elections. Today these poll books sell for big bucks to collectors of political memorabilia. For many years Hoosier voters have elected people who have no regard for our history and embrace a low bidder mentality. If it were up to Senator Mishler and those who share his perspective, we would have pole barns as court houses in each of our 92 counties.
Here are quick answers to questions raised in these comments:
* Yes, retail space at canal level is part of the plan
* Ratio are the design architects
* The old city hall building was dismissed as a place for the State Archives many years ago as it simply is totally inadequate, too small, and the interior load-bearing walls are too large and cumbrous yet inadequate to accommodate the records.