City taps new firm for Indiana Avenue strategy
A year after a $450,000 contract intended to help shape development for historic Indiana Avenue expired with no published results or recommendations, the city of Indianapolis has hired a new contractor.
Community development
-
IBJ Podcast: Marsh Davis on a career saving Indiana landmarks, bringing right people to the table
The outgoing president of Indiana Landmarks discusses the value of historic preservation, its influence on Indianapolis, the projects that stand out over four decades and the one that got away.
Read More -
IPS seeking new suitors for John Marshall High School after city withdraws
The Department of Metropolitan Development quietly withdrew its offer to buy the building over the summer after determining needed improvements would make make the project a larger—and more expensive—challenge than anticipated.
Read More -
Star of ‘Good Bones’ show says city officials hampered her work
The HGTV home-improvement show is airing its last season, and Mina Starsiak Hawk says she’s not sure of her next steps. But one thing seems likely: She won’t be redeveloping or building houses regularly in Indianapolis anymore.
Read More -
New TIF renews hope for fading Irvington strip mall
The strip mall was built in 1952 and for years served as a primary retail hub for the neighborhood.
Read More
Articles
With new ‘CAMI’ name, Garfield Park art campus looks to solidify future
In the interest of brand clarity and long-range planning, an arts-focused campus in the Garfield Park neighborhood is adopting a new name before opening a 40,000-square-foot multipurpose building in 2026.
Dennis Bland keeps Center for Leadership Development—and the kids it serves—moving forward
For that devotion, and for a lifetime spent quietly strengthening the city around him, IBJ has named Bland the 32nd recipient of the Michael A. Carroll Award.
City’s rebranded land bank aims to be more strategic in property redevelopment
Over the past several months, Indianapolis leaders have been staking colorful signs into the yards of city-owned vacant properties in what amounts to a promise to neighbors that they plan to put the properties back on the tax rolls.
Health district takes shape ahead of IU Health hospital completion
The recently established Indy Health District is dedicated to reducing health inequity across Indianapolis. It stretches from St. Clair Street north to 38th Street, encompassing 1,500 acres.
LISC Indianapolis names Brandon Taylor as executive director
Taylor has been serving as interim executive director of LISC Indianapolis since January.
Retro setting helps Mike Epps maintain his hometown ties
Comedian/actor Mike Epps has made a 2,100-square-foot house in the Kennedy-King neighborhood a singular work of art.
Indy’s WNBA All-Star Host Committee invests $1M in youth empowerment programming, projects
The city’s WNBA All-Star Host Committee has unveiled several Legacy Projects, aimed at improving the lives of Hoosier youth and families.
Cultural campus planned as focal point of Crooked Creek
A community-led effort hopes to establish Crooked Creek Cultural Campus near the northwest intersection of West 62nd Street and Michigan Road, with a 200-seat theater and community center nestled in eight wooded acres.
Boxer Alphonso Bailey’s redemption story fuels philanthropic rally
The 1979 Shortridge High graduate fell in with the wrong crowd and eventually landed in prison. He found redemption there by embracing boxing and faith, and is now helping others through those same tools.
Uncertainties under Trump trouble housing providers
Frozen grants, delayed allocations and terminated funds are all examples of what Indianapolis housing providers and builders face as President Donald Trump’s administration slashes federal programs and jobs.
Devington Plaza task force unveils ideas as residents, developer look for path forward
The neighborhood proposal comes as the group pushes New York-based Skysoar Capital Partners to reconsider its plan for the nearly abandoned site.
National Bank of Indianapolis partners with New Direction Church on east-side effort
The National Bank of Indianapolis and New Direction Church announced a partnership that’s designed to support economic development and access to financial services along the East 38th Street corridor.
Micro-museum aims to preserve Martindale’s cultural heritage
By showcasing artifacts and stories shared by longtime residents of Martindale-Brightwood, the Polklore Micro-Museum is an experiment in what can be gained by preserving a neighborhood’s cultural heritage.
East-side neighborhood could soon get TIF money
Reagan Park could soon benefit from an economic development tool that would capture the tax dollars from new developments to benefit existing residents and potentially help them stay in their homes.
Lesley Weidenbener: Small steps that build strong communities
My Garfield Park neighborhood is growing and changing, thanks in part to entrepreneurs including Josh Haines and Phil Kirk who are taking a chance on bringing retail and restaurants to the area’s commercial strip.
Lilly Endowment grants $12.5M to legal aid organizations
Three local legal aid organizations received grants ranging from $2.5 million to $7.5 million.
Developer unveils expanded plans for Lafayette Square after initial idea stalls
Fabio De la Cruz said if his vision is realized and partners participate as he expects, the total investment in the area could reach $700 million to $1 billion.
Indiana awards $557M for low-income housing in ‘historic’ investment
Together, the projects are expected to result in nearly 2,500 new housing units in the state.
City hires New York firm for fresh perspective on Indiana Avenue redevelopment
City officials have hired an out-of-state firm to create a development plan for the Indiana Avenue corridor, a part of downtown that has seen neighbors push back on recent project proposals.