About the FHRA

The Fort Harrison Reuse Authority (FHRA) is a special purpose unit of government created to revitalize the economy following the closure of the Fort Benjamin Harrison Army Base in 1995.

The FHRA was established by IC 36-7-30 in 1995 for the “planning, replanning, rehabilitation, development, redevelopment, and other preparation for reuse of military bases and military base property” as this is a “public and governmental function that cannot be accomplished through the ordinary operations of private enterprise.” According to the statute, the property boundaries for the FHRA lie in a special taxing district or TIF “for the purpose of levying and collecting special benefit taxes for reuse purposes.” Unlike other TIFs, the FHRA TIF is indefinite and to be used to benefit the public health and welfare. (see IC 36-7-30-9)

In 1999, the City of Lawrence, Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development and the FHRA developed a Master Reuse Implementation Strategy to document steps necessary to consistently redevelop the property. A wide range of interests was considered during the formation of this original reuse plan. The planning process considered the many other diverse interests that were already invested in the reuse community. These included:

• The local retired military community and recognition of its contribution to our national defense and its reliance on the facilities and services at the Fort.;
• The surrounding neighborhoods that are directly affected by the reuse of the base;
• The historical and environmental preservation and conservation interests; and
• The local business and commercial interests affected by the closure and that are dependent upon the successful implementation of the plan.

In 2006, the FHRA adopted a Master Plan and Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Lawrence Village at the Fort to redevelop the last remaining acreage on the original base.

Fort Benjamin Harrison is located in Lawrence, Indiana approximately 10 miles or 20 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. It contains 2,500 acres, of which approximately 1,069 acres is covered by woodlands. Lawrence, Indiana is the 18th largest city in the State of Indiana with a population of nearly 50,000. Lawrence is within Marion County and is located in the more heavily wooded part of northeast Indianapolis near Geist Reservoir. See us on the map.

When the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) closed Fort Benjamin Harrison down, approximately 1,700 acres were conveyed to the State of Indiana for property now known as Fort Harrison State Park and The Fort Golf Course.

Approximately 10% of the base remains under federal control with Building One, the military’s financial headquarters and the Army Reserve enclave on the eastern boundary of the base. Nearly 800 acres were sold to the FHRA for $9 million, and the FHRA conveyed a significant portion of that to the City of Lawrence for parks and recreation. In fact, Lawrence Community Park has 21 soccer fields that bring in thousands of people each year to the City for practice and tournaments.

Over the years, much of the remaining land has been sold to private investors for civilian and local government reuse. Ivy Tech Community College purchased property and redeveloped Building 400 into their Lawrence Campus which serves over 7,000 students each year.