FEB. 17-23, 2023
This week's issue focuses squarely on the challenges facing downtown. John Russell and Mickey Shuey detail the dichotomies of downtown at its latest crossroads, with more than $9 billion in development either under way or in the pipeline while many office workers choose to work remotely. Mickey Shuey and Taylor Wooten look at the persistent perception that downtown is one of the most dangerous parts of the city and whether the latest crime statistics square with that belief. And Daniel Bradley gets the perspective of people who live downtown—a population that many believe will be vital to downtown’s future success as it transition to more of a residential center.
Front PageBack to Top
Tale of two downtowns: $9B set to be invested in projects, even as business district struggles with recovery
Many parts of downtown are thriving—particularly neighborhoods, where rents are rising, people have to stand in line for a lunch table, and investments are flowing. Other parts—especially downtown’s central core, where many workers might come to the office only once or twice a week—are limping along, pockmarked by vacant storefronts, panhandlers and crumbling sidewalks.
Read More
Apartment growth supports surge in downtown Indianapolis living
Nearly 29,000 residents now live downtown, up from about 15,000 in 2010. It’s a number that has been growing as developers continue to add apartment and condo units in the Mile Square and downtown neighborhoods.
Read More
Crime in downtown Indianapolis: Is perception worse than reality?
According to crime data for the Mile Square over the past three years—the only such data available that includes figures for 2022—violent incidents are down from the pandemic peak years of 2020 and 2021 in all categories except robberies, which were up 43%, from 56 to 80.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Keystone unveils renderings for $1B Eleven Park; demolition to start in May
The developer plans to put a 20,000-seat soccer stadium for the Indy Eleven right along the White River, which is on the western edge of the former Diamond Chain manufacturing site.
Read More
A low-barrier shelter could be the answer to some of Indy’s homelessness problems
Indianapolis plans to pilot a low-barrier shelter on city-owned property and create a master leasing program in which the city would lease units on behalf of property owners to low- or no-income individuals.
Read More
IBJ Podcast: Downtown fixture Wheeler Mission on verge of big transition
Wheeler Mission has been an integral part of downtown for more than 100 years and is intrinsically linked to quality of life issues and downtown’s image. It’s now in the middle of its first leadership transition in 33 years.
Read More
Eatery launched amid COVID thrives on event business
The keys to the restaurant’s success, said owner Terry Anthony, have been the generous terms from his landlord, the quicker-than-expected return of convention and event business, and his willingness to be flexible as downtown recovers.
Read More
Comic shop refocuses to cash in on events, tourists
“My business model completely changed,” said Downtown Comics owner Doug Stephenson of the Market Street store. “If you look at my sales chart, everything moved from Wednesday, which is traditionally the biggest day for comic stores … to the weekends.”
Read More
Design firm embraces downtown’s St. Joseph neighborhood
Loree Everette’s biggest concern about downtown has nothing to do with the typical complaints involving homelessness, safety or cleanliness. It’s that living downtown has become so popular it’s unaffordable for too many people.
Read More
Downtown’s largest employers bet on hybrid work
Cummins, Rolls-Royce, Eli Lilly and Co., AES and Elevance Health are among the city’s largest downtown employers and all say most of their workers have the option of working at home at least part of the time.
Read More
Five ways the state can help downtown
While the state and the city have come together on major downtown projects over the years, there’s sometimes tension between what Indianapolis officials would like to see from the state and how the state views its responsibility to the capital city.
Read More
For many Indy law firms, downtown remains where it’s at
Downtown law firms say they have good reasons to remain in the heart of the city—from logistical concerns to the desire for a central location to the prestige factor they associate with a downtown address.
Read More
Mark Montieth: University of Indianapolis wrestler prepares for national championship
Lofty ambition flows through Derek’s veins, passed on from multiple sources and generations.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Rebounding visitor stats generate optimism in hospitality industry
If downtown’s pandemic recovery had a report card, its tourism grade would be a B. And that’s not a subjective assessment. It’s based on newly released 2022 convention and tourism data.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Editorial: It’s time to find the next great vision for downtown Indy
Indianapolis can’t continue to be the state’s economic engine without a thriving, vibrant, energizing, clean and safe downtown.
Read MoreNate Feltman: IUPUI split will be key to downtown’s future
As state and city leaders grapple with reinvigorating downtown and contemplate the future economic drivers for the region, arguably nothing holds more promise than the further activation of two of the state’s most powerful research engines.
Read MoreJoe Hogsett: Downtown is a place to live, work, play—in equal amounts
We have begun transforming underutilized city-owned properties into mixed-use residential hubs. That added housing comes alongside other major residential projects and will be surrounded by infrastructure that improves mobility for residents with or without a car.
Read MoreMelissa Proffitt: Business is prepared to lead downtown, but we can’t act alone
The Indy Chamber has a central role activating the regional business community, collaborating with elected officials and not-for-profit partners, and mobilizing resources toward strategic, long-term solutions. We embrace these responsibilities.
Read MoreTaylor Schaffer: Progress requires public, private, philanthropic coalition
We need a return to the type of civic responsibility and corporate investment that rebuilt Monument Circle, re-envisioned Circle Centre, and empowered employees to get involved in the downtown civic ecosystem.
Read MoreCarol and Kevin Sears: Downtown is a livable, walkable and safe community
Our lived experience is in stark contrast to the thinly veiled insulting words some nonresidents use to describe our neighborhoods and the business environment as of late.
Read MoreCebronica Luft: Small-business owners need support to be downtown
It will take a collaborative effort from city officials, public safety, business owners and creatives to provide access to small-business owners and investors like myself who want to grow downtown and move forward, together.
Read MoreKären Haley: Downtown residents essential to city’s long-term vitality
To build on the attractiveness of the downtown residential sector, we should invest more in the kind of quality-of-life amenities we enjoy and seek out in other cities, like parks and open spaces, playgrounds, public art and public restrooms.
Read MoreVop Osili: City leaders must prepare for downtown reinvention
This means investments in affordable housing, new work opportunities, public safety, and enhancing downtown’s appearance and attractiveness.
Read MoreJeffrey Harrison: Prioritize equity, a driver of community vibrancy
There are commitments Indy’s regional business community must make to ensure today’s young Black professionals and other people of color feel a connection with our city. To do so, we must make a concerted effort toward equity.
Read MorePete the Planner: Living downtown offers economical, intangible benefits
Of course, living downtown isn’t for everyone, especially in particular stages of life, but it’s a brilliant choice for those whose lifestyle affords it—and I don’t just mean in the financial sense.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon & John Horowitz: Remote work isn’t going away. Downtowns must adapt.
Workers’ greater freedom to choose where to work suggests that downtown Indianapolis’ future depends on its ability to attract people as a place to live more than as a place to work.
Read MoreMark Caswell: When and how to reorganize the right way
The best (and only) use case for a reorganization is to solve a specific business problem.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Developer seeks $10.7M tax break on $79M apartment project
A team of two local developers planning the 273-unit Hall Place apartment project at 1720 N. Illinois St. promises to bring dozens of low-rent apartment units to the neighborhood northeast of the expanded Indiana University Health campus.
Read More
Westfield City Council votes to join central Indiana economic development group
Westfield joins Anderson, Beech Grove, Carmel, Fishers, Indianapolis, Lawrence, McCordsville, Noblesville, Speedway and Zionsville in the RDA.
Read More
BioCrossroads CEO Martin to step down in April
Patty Martin, president and CEO of BioCrossroads since 2019, said she plans to leave the organization to examine opportunities in the private sector.
Read MoreMedical-device company to raise about $15M in IPO
Neuraxis Inc., based in Versailles and with an office in Carmel, said it will use the proceeds to ramp up its sales and marketing efforts, along with research and development and other functions.
Read More
Not-for-profit news startup launches with editor searches in Indianapolis, Gary
With $10 million in funding, the Indiana Local News Initiative said it intends to report nonpartisan information at no cost to its audience.
Read More