The neighborhood stories no one else is telling highlighted in IndyStar’s 317 Project

You want local news. In your neighborhood local. On your street local.

Us, too.

That’s why years ago IndyStar launched the 317 Project: to tell the stories of Indianapolis that no one else does in ways no one else can.

Stories about a 153-year-old church in the Ben Davis neighborhood still serving its community after being devastated by fires and a tornado through the decades, or the generational caretakers of a Westwood neighborhood cemetery.

Sometimes the news is odd, like the First Church of Cannabis in Dogpatch. Other times it highlights a neighborhood business beloved by residents but overlooked by outsiders.

These stories aren’t possible without subscribers. The more than 50 IndyStar journalists who live in Central Indiana know the city and love highlighting Indy’s unique and vibrant neighborhoods. We aren’t reporting from afar, we live in Community Heights, Ivy Hills, College Park Estates, Fox Hill, Broad Ripple, Nora, Allisonville, Woodruff Place, Beech Grove, Crown Hill, Bridgefield, Chatham Arch, St. Joseph, Wanamaker, Irvington and places between.

Below is a look at the 317 Project stories in 2024 available to our subscribers. If you appreciate this type of journalism, please consider joining us at subscribe.indystar.com. Have a story that no one else has told, email IndyStar’s community editor Jen Guadarrama at jguadarrama@gannett.com.

This old factory is now an Indy art hub for locals

For decades buildings along East Palmer Street have been covered in graffiti, but it’s not the kind of vandalism that police try to crack down on.

The 50,000-square-foot building that sits in the middle of the graffiti work has been in Jon Simpson’s family as American Tent and Awning Company. Closed after the pandemic, he wondered how else he could repurpose the building for good use. Art was the answer.

Concord: This old factory is now an Indy art hub for locals

Millennial couple to give new life to historic Bosart-Brown home

The 1862-built mansion facing Washington Street is so overgrown it appears haunted; previous owners left floors uprooted and items heaped, some trash and some treasure. One future day, perhaps years away, the house may roar again with life.

Bosart Brown: 317 Project: Millennial couple to give new life to historic home

Dellwood’s autumn tunnel, a moment only experienced once a year

For a brief time each year, there exists a road outside the 465 loop that offers a moment that can’t be found among the city’s tall buildings or in the state’s sea of corn.

Dellwood: A moment of zen only experienced once a year

Church of Cannabis wants to be taken seriously while staying true to cause

It’s nearly nine years since Bill Levin, 68 — “Grand Poobah” is his preferred clerical title — gave his first sermon.

A shock of white hair bobs side to side as Levin weaves between pews, telling each of the dozen or so congregants, “I love you,” before wrapping them in a bear hug. The church’s 12 tenets start simply with, “don’t be an a–hole.”

Dogpatch: Church of Cannabis wants to be taken seriously while staying true to cause

Wilderness camp unplugs kids, teaches survival skills

Matt Shull knew it would be a challenge to find the perfect spot for a wilderness camp in metro Indianapolis, but it didn’t take him long to strike something close. The answer: a wooded northside enclave accessible by just two roads.

“It is a unique place, surrounded by wilderness, access to the White River and a funky vibe,” Shull said.

Rocky Ripple: Wilderness camp unplugs kids, teaches survival skills.

153-year-old Ben Davis church survived fires and a tornado to serve neighbors

The same congregation has worshiped on the the same plot of land in Ben Davis Village for more than 150 years. And they’ve overcome several hurdles to do it.

Ben Davis: 153-year-old church survived fires and a tornado to serve neighbors

Indy cemetery groundskeeper follows in dad’s footsteps

It’s just as much about taking care of the living as it is the dead for Johnny Thornton Jr.

Whether he’s digging graves, cleaning up trash or mowing the grass at West Ridge Park Cemetery, he thinks often about how important a loved one’s final services can be.

Westwood: Indy cemetery groundskeeper follows in dad’s footsteps

Sisters in need of a cool down open up an ice cream shop.

Eulalia and Gaudencia Perez no longer have to clock in at 5 a.m. They can take breaks. They can even sit down. These are the little luxuries the sisters have enjoyed since opening their ice cream shop in May.

Washington Square: Sisters in need of a cool down open up an ice cream shop. They say it’s ‘like a retirement’

Family helps build community out of tragic loss

“Harrison’s Orbit” is a space-themed children’s area with reading nooks, a large bay window area overlooking a courtyard and other interactive toys to help kids learn to read or to simply have fun. The space was the vision of Katy Strader and Cy Wood in honor of their son, Harrison Strader Wood, who died suddenly at the age of 17 months.

Glendale: Family helps build community in new library out of tragic loss

Mechanic built metal sculpture ― and car shop ― one piece at a time

If you’ve driven Southeastern Avenue, you’ve probably noticed the auto repair shop about a mile from Downtown.

It’s the one with a bunch of classic cars in the parking lot and the big scrap metal statue out front. You’ve also probably noticed the towering figure the owner calls, “The Sheriff.”

Twin Aire: Mechanic built metal sculpture ― and car shop ― one piece at a time

Neighborhood takes a colorful approach to curb speeding near school

The short, black, horizontal lines jut sharply against the colorful blocks of bright greens, electric blues and reds. The popping colors along East 16^th Street stretch three blocks near Anna Brochhausen School 88 in the Community Heights neighborhood. The painting, however, is more than just a work of art. It was designed to save lives.

Community Heights: Neighborhood has a colorful approach to curb speeding near school

Deals on books can come with extra surprises at this Meridian Highlands library sale

It’s crazy the things one can find between the pages of a book they bought during sales at the Indy Library Store.

Meridian Highlands: Deals on books can come with extra surprises

Archery club lets students explore new interests

Elkin Vera, 15, said the Hunger Games series inspired him to join the club. The sophomore views archery as an art form.

“You can just express your feelings in a way through it and not many people do it. Plus it’s just really fun,” Vera said.

Little Flower: Archery club lets students explore new interests

A neighborhood with a ‘little bit of everything’

Outside, a man with long, shaggy hair and a brightly knitted scarf braces himself against a gust of wind as he trots toward a tavern. A Black woman wearing a gray bucket hat hugs a friend at an Indian restaurant across the road. Another woman in red lipstick, clad in a seafoam coat keeps a brisk pace with her dog along 49th Street.

“I love it here,” says Jason Kraus.

SoBro: A neighborhood with ‘little bit of everything’

East side candy store has comfort and community alongside food and sweets

Situated at the intersection of East 25th and North Dearborn streets, Mike’s Variety Candy Store offers more than just sweets and treats. Michael “Mike” Moore has been a staple in his community for nearly two decades, providing candy, food, comfort and community.

Martindale-Brightwood: This east side candy store has comfort and community along with food and sweets.

A neighborhood with ‘small town’ vibes invites Indianapolis to stop for a visit

Laying on the front counter of My Dad’s Barber Shop is a rustic tome, weathered from years of use and thick with generations of clients. Each entry is handwritten with the names, dates of customers’ visits, and personal notes on customers’ haircuts. IE: “Chuck with the white truck at 3 p.m.”

The information in the book is so well kept that it could almost operate as a telephone directory for Clermont.

Clermont : neighborhood holds to its ‘small town’ vibes

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyStar’s 317 Project shares stories no one else is telling

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