On October 23, 2023, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced a new site location for the Indianapolis
Animal Care Services animal shelter. Previously planned for the Sherman Park campus, the new
proposed site is the former Clearstream property, located at 5001 E. Raymond Street.
“With a new location, we are able to accelerate progress on a new facility while continuing our
remediation and development commitments on the Near Eastside,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “This
new site will bring a community resource to a vacant lot while serving Indy zip codes with some of
the highest animal care needs in the City.”
The former Clearstream property is owned by the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) but has sat
dormant for nearly two decades. The City is collaborating with both IHA and the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the final terms of property transfer. The purchase is
funded through Consolidated County funds and will not impact the identified funding for
construction of the new facility.
The new shelter will be located in the 46203 zip code, historically the second-highest zip code in
Marion County for stray pick-ups and animal control-related runs. The 46201 zip code is the
highest in Marion County and is in close proximity to the new proposed site.
Funding for the facility includes a $19 million bond approved by the City-County Council. Friends of
Indy Animals already has raised $6.7 million for the new shelter as part of its $7 million ‘Journey
Home’ capital campaign. More than 80 individuals, families, foundations and companies have
contributed to the campaign. Key gifts include a $3 million grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam
Charitable Trust, a $1 million investment from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., and a $1 million gift from
the Irsay family and the Indianapolis Colts.
The City remains committed to working with the Near Eastside community to fully implement the
Sherman Park Area Wide Plan and bring in private investment to bring Sherman Park into a
bustling center for employment and affordable housing. The City will be releasing a Request for
Proposals (RFP) to solicit development proposals for the Sherman Park site in partnership with the
Sherman Park Community Advisory Group. The RFP is intended to be released the first quarter of
2024.
The new shelter location comes on the heels of numerous efforts by Mayor Hogsett to enhance
services and care at IACS.