Damien Center Announces Plans for Renovation of Building that Previously Served as Former LGBTQ+ Nightclub and Bar

Today, the Damien Center announced new details about the future of the historic building located at 1446 E. Washington St., Indianapolis. Damien Center purchased the building in 2021 from the owner of Zonie’s Closet when they decided to close the LGBTQ+ nightclub and bar that served as a safe gathering place for members of the LGBTQ+ community since 2008.

"Zonie’s Closet has been a long-term supporter and neighbor of the Damien Center and we were honored when the previous owner approached us about purchasing the building when the decision was made to close, said Alan Witchey, president and CEO, Damien Center. “While the building will take on a new purpose, we are dedicated to keeping it LGBTQ-friendly and preserving the culture and legacy of Zonie’s Closet, making sure everyone is welcome.”

Renovations on the original 4,024 square foot historic building are currently underway. When complete, the renovated facility will be used to open a coffee shop and establish an Employment Services Center that will allow Damien Center to expand their current Employment Services Program that provides adult education and training opportunities with accompanying social supports that allow individuals to gain and maintain meaningful employment, attain a living wage, increase self-sufficiency, and experience improved health and wellness. The planned expansion will give the Damien Center the capacity to serve more than 500 individuals annually through five core programs.

The structure is getting a complete interior renovation that includes structural repairs, all new sub flooring on the main floor, new and safe crawl space access, updated utility work, and new accessible stairs from the front vestibule to the second floor. Additionally, the current 1,000 square foot addition on the back of the structure will be demolished and replaced with a new 1,000 square foot addition that will accommodate adding two ADA accessible restrooms as well as a secondary staircase for easy staff and guest access to the second floor.

The renovation project is being led by Schmidt Associates and The Skillman Corporation and is expected to be completed in early 2024. This project is part of One Home, a multi-phase, ongoing capital campaign. In March 2023, the Damien Center also broke ground on a new 56,000 square foot three-story building at the corner of East Washington St. and Oriental Ave., Indianapolis. These two projects will create a multi-building Damien Center campus within the geographic epicenter of the HIV epidemic. The organization will also continue to utilize their current building at 26 N. Arsenal Ave., and a task force is currently deciding how to best utilize that building in the future.

To learn more or to contribute, visit www.damien.org or www.damienonehome.org.

Media Assets: Renderings of the renovated building located at 1446 E. Washington St. can be viewed and downloaded here.

About Damien Center:

Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization and leads the effort to prevent the spread of HIV. The Center opened in 1987 and offers a one-stop-shop model of care that includes preventive, supportive, and medical services that empowers people in Central Indiana affected by HIV/AIDS to move forward each day with dignity so they may live abundant and productive lives. Damien Center believes passionately in the dignity and worth of every person who seeks their services and strives to be a safe and welcoming place so that no barriers separate people from the services they need to prolong and enhance their lives. For more information visit: http://www.damien.org or follow them on Twitter at @DamienCenter or like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theda....