Community Invited to “Make Their Mark” on the Construction of the Fort Ben Library Branch

The Lawrence community is invited to “make their mark” on the construction of the new Fort Ben Library Branch by signing a steel beam that will be used during the construction of the branch. The beam is available to sign at the Arts for Lawrence office, which is located inside Theater at the Fort, on July 7 and July 11 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. The beam will also be available to sign during the Fort Ben Farmers Market, taking place tonight, July 7, between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

So far, dozens of community members have signed the beam.

Shelby Peak, the future manager of the Fort Ben Branch, is encouraged by the community’s interest.

“This is the community’s branch and we want the community to be a part of it, even as we build the structure,” said Peak. “The beam has been collecting signatures over the past few weeks. I’ve signed it myself, and it gained a lot of signatures after the farmer's market and from kids taking part in the Arts for Lawrence summer camp. It's the people that lay the foundation of this community, so I’m really glad that the community has this opportunity to leave its mark.”

The Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) broke ground on the new Fort Ben Branch on April 6, 2022, drawing a large crowd of community leaders, patrons, and stakeholders. The branch, which will be located at 9330 East 56th Street, will fill a service gap between the Lawrence branch on the northeast side and the Warren branch on the far east side.

The $14.3 million project is funded by bonds approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council that will be assessed without any increase in IndyPL’s current debt service tax rate. Construction manager The Skillman/Davis Team and architect Ratio Architects are behind this project.

A grand opening is anticipated for Summer 2023.