We are delighted to share that our wonderful district 46 state senate candidates have agreed to a community forum that focuses on the state owned IREF/Women’s prison in our community.  

What an opportunity for our community!  We hope you can attend the forum April 19th at 6:30. The forum will be held at Woodruff Place Baptist Church, 1739 E. Michigan Street.  We also have a virtual option via zoom.  Here is the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88162123730?pwd=ZU9sSFN6dG1wMHJLc2lGSG44MjdxZz09

Meeting ID: 881 6212 3730

Passcode: IREF

 At the forum you will get to hear directly from our state senate candidates regarding IREF and other important issues to our near eastside community.  All topics have been selected neighbors.  In addition, there will be a Q and A time with our candidates.

 IREF Background- why this issue is important to the near eastside

This IREF property (the large prison property between Michigan St and New York just east of Tech High School) has sat vacant for nearly 5 years though the state indicated when the facility was closed, they were finalizing plans for its re-use.  We have waited and waited only to find that the state plans to demolish the buildings in the next few months but is not engaging with our community about what will go there next.  Any information we have received has been very difficult to acquire.  

 Neighbors have formed the IREF Advocacy Alliance to work with the state on creating robust community engagement for the property.  Specifically, the alliance is asking for the formation of a steering committee of state, city, and neighborhood leaders to determine the reuse of the site.  What happens here will shape our community for years to come.