For Immediate Release: June 15, 2023
Media Contact: Max Wing | max@downtownindy.org
Downtown Indy, Inc. and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful announce partnership aimed at cleaning up Downtown neighborhoods
Three community clean-ups planned for 2023 with Old Southside push this Saturday
INDIANAPOLIS - - In an ongoing effort to maintain a clean and green Mile Square and support the vibrancy of adjacent Downtown neighborhoods, Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII) announced today the launch of a new partnership with environmental and community nonprofit Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB). For the first time this year, three of DII’s six volunteer community clean-ups will be focused in Downtown neighborhoods with KIB serving as lead collaborator and facilitator. DII’s increased operations initiatives are part of a greater strategy to maintain Downtown’s clean, safe and beautiful atmosphere with nearly two million in funding from the City of Indianapolis to be leveraged over the next 18 months.
“We’re thrilled to extend our Downtown footprint to surrounding neighborhoods and partner with KIB, an organization that shares a commitment to maintaining Indianapolis’ infrastructure for not just visitors, but also our valued residents,” said Taylor Schaffer, President & CEO of DII. “From mitigating trash in immediate neighborhoods to unifying our community, our upcoming series of clean-ups will continue to develop the ‘live’ component of our ‘live, work, play’ framework.”
The first joint clean-up event will be held this Saturday, June 17 in Downtown’s Old Southside neighborhood. Two additional DII and KIB projects are planned for later this year, with clean-ups on Aug. 19 in the Cole-Noble District, just east of the Mile Square, and Oct. 28 in the North Meridian neighborhood, spanning across 10th and Michigan and Senate and Delegate. Additionally, this summer DII and KIB will be installing new cigarette litter mitigation receptacles throughout Downtown, focusing on high-traffic corridors and entertainment districts.
“As part of our mission to build community and promote civic pride in Marion County, KIB’s partnership with DII will supplement our ongoing public space initiatives specific to the downtown radius,” said Jeremy Kranowitz, President & CEO of KIB. “With additional support to promote and recruit volunteers, we can take action against litter and debris that are often barriers to enjoying urban public spaces.”
Volunteers interested in participating in one of the upcoming neighborhood clean-ups can register at: www.kibi.org/volunteer. Today's announcement follows a series of DII led beautification initiatives including “Mulch Madness” and Month of May clean-ups in the immediate Mile Square, intended to welcome Downtown visitors for basketball tournament viewership and Indy 500 programming. DII’s final community clean-up of the year will run Nov. 20-21, providing an opportunity for Downtown stakeholders to roll-up their sleeves in time for the kick-off to the holiday season and the 61st Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW 481.
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About Downtown Indy, Inc.
Founded in 1993, Downtown Indy, Inc. is a public/private partnership existing to improve Downtown, and is also known as Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. As a private, not-for-profit organization, Downtown Indy, Inc. is uniquely positioned to address issues that affect the area’s growth and well-being. Downtown Indy, Inc. focuses on development, management, activation, and marketing to advance Downtown as a great place to live, learn, work and play. Learn more about DII’s street cleaning initiatives here: https://downtownindy.org/services/beautification
About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. Is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage diverse communities to create vibrant public places, helping people and nature thrive. Annually, KIB works with thousands of volunteers on hundreds of community projects across Marion County to create a more environmentally equitable city. Learn more about our work at www.kibi.org.