Meriden County commissioners on Feb. 18 unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-01 to disclaim the county's interest in Parcel 1096461 (3359 N. Ruckle St., Indianapolis) and waive an outstanding $45,000 payment requested under a recorded project agreement, Indiana Landmarks representatives told the board.

The action, made during a regular meeting in Room 260 of the City County Building, was requested by Indiana Landmarks so the nonprofit could sell the building to an end user without the project agreement appearing as an encumbrance on title. "We really want to just sell the building to an end user who will put a use to the building," Mark Delosse of Indiana Landmarks told the commissioners, summarizing the organization's intent after years of attempted reuse plans.

Delosse described the building as historically significant, saying it is "the oldest extant Jewish synagogue standing in the city of Indianapolis." He recounted that Indiana Landmarks paid $50,000 to acquire the property, paid $5,000 upfront and has sought a waiver of the remaining $45,000 balance required by the acquisition terms.

Delosse provided a financial summary of work on the property since Indiana Landmarks took control following a tax reversion in 2013. He said the organization paid $14,630.44 in property taxes to Marion County between 2014 and 2025, and that it has "invested a grand total of $559,037.93 in the building." He said donations to the effort totaled "$285,670," including a $100,000 grant from the Ephraim Sim family, leaving a net investment of "$273,367.93." Delosse said roughly $340,184 of the $559,037.93 was spent on capital improvements including a new roof and drainage work.

Delosse described multiple unsuccessful reuse efforts over roughly a decade: a proposed Temple Heritage Center Inc. and Jewish heritage museum; a preservation-trades training partnership investigated with Ivy Tech; and a study funded by a $50,000 Lilly Endowment grant. He said Browning Day produced architectural estimates that rehabilitation would cost about $2,500,000. He also said Indiana Landmarks completed environmental remediation for asbestos-containing floor tile and pipe wrap and has a "clean bill of health from Idem."

Delosse said the building's interior remains unrestored and that any purchaser would likely undertake full rehabilitation. He confirmed the building was constructed in 1924–25 and noted the property's Special Use (S-U) zoning for religious uses; interested parties have approached Indiana Landmarks about potential residential reuse that would require rezoning. He estimated the building at about "13,000–14,000 square feet," with a two-story sanctuary volume and a mezzanine.

Commissioners voted to adopt the resolution after a motion by Ayla Elder, the board's secretary and auditor, and a second by Barbara Lawrence, Montgomery County treasurer and member of the commissioners. The resolution records the county's disclaimer of interest, waiver of the $45,000 additional payment, and completion of the project agreement for the parcel so Indiana Landmarks can proceed with transferring the property to a buyer.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-01 — Disclaimer of county interest / waiver of $45,000 (Parcel 1096461, 3359 N. Ruckle St.) — Motion by Ayla Elder (Secretary/Auditor), second by Barbara Lawrence (Treasurer/Commissioner). Voice vote: all in favor; no opposition recorded. Resolution outcome: approved.

The board also adopted a second resolution, 2025-02, related to the county's nonprofit tax-lien program. A county staff member told commissioners that since February 2022 the program has placed 34 parcels with nonprofits (5 in 2022, 14 in 2023 and 15 in the 2024 tax sale) and said some 2024 redemptions remain pending. Citing Indiana Code 6-1.1-24-17.5, staff asked the board to delegate signature authority to the Meriden County Treasurer to execute project agreements on the board's behalf when required. Commissioners moved, seconded and adopted the delegation resolution by voice vote.

The board scheduled its next meeting for March 18 at 2 p.m. in Room 260 of the City County Building.