Sample Appeal Letter #1

[Date]

Dear [Name]:

I’d like to make known my wishes that the school board spare the James E. Roberts School No. 97 from demolition, restore it, and put it once again to productive use. Many of us who live in the area are familiar with the school’s importance not only as an architectural landmark, but also as a civil rights landmark. As a facility custom-built to accommodate the physically disabled, the school was one of the first of its kind in the nation, and is an unquestioned source of pride for its many alumni and its near-east-side neighbors. Even vacant, deprived for the first time of the buzz and vibrancy of human activity, the Roberts School remains ever beautiful and sturdy. It has served our city very well, and we wish to remember that fact.

The near-east side of Indianapolis, seemingly, faces the loss of its treasured buildings and other elements of our built environment more regularly than other parts of the city. The list of area historic schools that have met their demise is sadly lengthy, and our two remaining historic Carnegie libraries, the Spades Park and East Washington branches, are lately coming under scrutiny from library administration. The thought of yet another such loss is daunting.

Neighbors are aware that there is substantial interest in the Roberts School building as a potential adaptive reuse development, and we encourage IPS to work diligently with the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, the Near East Side Community Organization, the John H. Boner Community Center, and the myriad other groups and individuals that are invested not only in the Roberts School’s past . . . but also in its future.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Date]

Dear [Name]:

I recently learned that IPS is considering the future of the historic James E. Roberts School No. 97 at Tenth and Oriental Streets. As you consider the options, I hope you will focus your efforts on saving the building and finding creative solutions for reusing it.

The Roberts School has played a significant role in the life of Indianapolis’s east side, and an independent architectural study demonstrates that it can continue to be a vital asset to our neighborhoods. The study indicates that the school is still in very good condition and that needed repairs would cost significantly less than earlier IPS estimates.

Although IPS no longer needs the school, I understand that other organizations are interested in licensing the building, repairing it, and using it to serve the community. Please give them consideration! Neighbors are working hard to revitalize the near-east side of Indianapolis, and we need to take advantage of all the resources we have. The Roberts School is a valuable tool for redevelopment, and we hope you will afford us the opportunity to utilize it.

Sincerely,

[Your name]