Project background and description
Florida resident, Sam Brougher owns the land in question via the shell corporation, Brokins Properties LLC. He has owned these properties along Astor and Saulcy for years under various names. During this time, he has engaged in purposeful acts of demolition by neglect such as removing siding and windows from houses, which leaves them open to the elements and faster to rot. He has made zero improvements to the historic single-family homes and held all properties without allowing inhabitants. This is called land banking. By doing this, he hopes to justify the demolition of the homes. Then he can sell the land to another developer or partner with one for a fast cash grab. The proposed building will offer residents nothing but higher property taxes (not higher property values), streets in even worse condition, and a completely blocked out view.
The developer, The Annex Group, is currently building 25 “affordable” buildings like this across the country. They get a tax credit for many thousands of dollars for building this. We get a destroyed neighborhood.
They currently own and manage The Union on 16th (2152 Emrich Ln), which has DOZENS of awful reviews and complaints about roaches and mice, loud music, and no maintenance done to the building. In addition to this, in the 5 short years it has existed, there have been numerous police dispatches to that address for everything from theft to sexual crimes, gun violence, drugs, fighting and more. THIS is the “affordable housing” they think we deserve?
The Annex Group also built The Annex on 10th (now the Vivio), which they have already sold to another company, but not before amassing many awful reviews just like the Union on 10th.
Some points to consider:
- Height Variance
The petition that has been filed for this development has many variance requests. A variance simply means that they’re asking for special permission to build something that is not currently allowed. In this case, it’s a much larger, tightly packed building than our neighborhood was built for. Currently, large apartment buildings like this are not allowed at all in this spot. In addition to that, they want to build a 50ft tall building when only 35ft is currently allowed. This will dwarf the single-family homes around it. Say goodbye to your privacy, sunlight, and view of the river that Stringtown has enjoyed since it was founded in 1833. - Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Variance
The proposed development asks for a variance in the Floor Area Ratio, which means that they want to build more than twice as much building on that piece of land as the current rules allow. A jump from 0.80 to 1.88 is dramatic. In most residential areas, Floor Area Ratio values stay well below 1.0 to maintain the residential neighborhood feel. This will also eliminate your privacy, sunlight, and view. - Livability Space Ratio Variance
This variance asks to leave only 7% of the land as usable outdoor space. Currently, the lot is supposed to have 75% of undeveloped usable space for residents. This means that residents will have no outdoor green space at all, allowing the developer to pack in the most tenants possible and make the most money. This type of variance also affects things like stormwater runoff, which we already have a big problem within Stringtown. Our neighborhood feels open and inviting because homes have yards and trees. This building would completely change the character, feeling, and historic nature of our neighborhood. - Vacation of Historic, Single-Family Homes
The petition also requests to demolish the 10-15 historic homes that Brougher has been hoarding. These homes need work, yes. But so do many of the other homes in Stringtown. Look around at how many homes have been rehabbed lately too. People want to live in a neighborhood like Stringtown, and although the neighborhood has seen a lot of disinvestment in the past, we are on an upswing. Don’t let them take the historic charm and integrity from us now! - Affected Parties
We are ALL affected by these predatory developments! They block our sun and light, remove trees and homes, destroy our streets and alleys (even more). Ultimately, it will raise our rent and taxes while giving us nothing. It doesn’t matter if you rent or own your home, you have a say and your voice matters! - What You Can Do
Attend any public hearings you can! Being there in person is always the best way to get the attention of the city and the developers. They need to know that we see through this and do not want it. If you can’t attend the hearing, please write letters to the planner about how you feel! They do take these into account!
Email them to Kathleen.Blackham@indy.gov or planneroncall@indy.gov – (Case # 2026-CVR-803 / 2026-CVC-803)
If you have any questions about this information, please feel free to reach out to Jessy Baum at StringtownNow@gmail.com.
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