For Immediate Release: November 10, 2022
Media Contact: Mark Bode
Mayor Joe Hogsett Announces Major Investment in Downtown Public Safety, Cleanliness, and Outreach
$3.5 million partnership to supplement ongoing and new City efforts
INDIANAPOLIS – Today Mayor Joe Hogsett announced a major effort to enhance safety and cleanliness in Downtown Indianapolis, a key component of his wider Downtown Resiliency Strategy. The plan includes operational changes across City departments, with additional support from Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII). Mayor Hogsett was joined by leadership from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), City-County Council, DII, Indy Chamber, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Indy Public Safety Foundation, and more.
“Downtown Indianapolis continues to be a critical driver of Central Indiana’s economy, as well as a hub for arts, culture, hospitality, and sports,” said Mayor Hogsett. “That’s why we’re making strategic investments in public safety, cleanliness, and outreach to ensure our post-pandemic momentum stretches into the coming years.”
“Downtown Indianapolis is both the keeper of this city’s history and the driver of its future,” said City-County Council President Vop Osili. “These investments in the health, safety, and beauty of downtown will ensure we step into that future with our best foot forward."
Public safety investments include increased overtime shifts for IMPD bike patrol officers and a boost to crime fighting technology, with three new mobile security cameras to be connected to IMPD monitoring software. In addition, small to mid-sized businesses will be able to take advantage of a grant program aimed at increasing participation in IMPD’s b.link camera system. Currently, IMPD has 128 Downtown camera views, which includes the b.link program and 22 license plate readers. The grant program is expected to launch in early 2023.
Also beginning in 2023, the Office of Public Health and Safety will be piloting the City’s first-ever clinician-led response team Downtown. The team will operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) will be designating a new, Downtown-focused crew for cleanliness and maintenance. Indy DPW will also deploy a new Downtown strategy aimed at regular maintenance of alleys, sidewalk power washing, and targeting of other problem areas. Additionally, the City will increase the number of trash receptacles to reduce the amount of litter. Through the partnership, Downtown Indy, Inc. will increase the number of cleaning ambassadors to the Mile Square and will also install and conduct regular maintenance on an additional Downtown public bathroom.
To supplement existing City outreach efforts engaging with residents experiencing homelessness, Downtown Indy Inc. will work with service providers to hire social workers and housing navigators focused on downtown populations. IMPD will continue to invest in its Homeless Outreach Unit and the Office of Public Health and Safety will be investing in a new downtown public restroom at its safe food distribution site.
“Nearly thirty years ago, our organization was created to be a true private-public partnership, working with the City of Indianapolis and area businesses to ensure that Downtown Indianapolis would continue to drive economic growth, livability and vibrancy,” said DII president/CEO Taylor Schaffer. “We appreciate the City’s partnership in this important effort and will focus on leveraging these dollars to spur further momentum in Downtown, ensuring that our urban core is clean, safe, and vibrant.”
The partnership will run over the next 18 months, directed at regular weekday activities and day-to-day programming. In addition, Downtown Indianapolis will play host to over 600 conventions and major events over the next 18 months including the Circle of Lights, Big Ten Championship games, the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, and the USA Swimming 2024 Olympic Trials.
“Indianapolis is at its best when partners come together to make our community safe and welcoming for residents and visitors alike,” said Rick Fuson, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Chair of the South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan Committee. “These investments will help accelerate Downtown’s continued transformation, and cement its place as a destination for families, residents, and visitors during all seasons.”
Mayor Hogsett’s Downtown Resiliency Strategy was launched to address the impact of COVID-19 on Indianapolis’ economic and cultural core, strengthening downtown as a livable neighborhood, destination, and place for business. With a historic momentum in development and public-private partnerships, the Downtown Resiliency Strategy focuses on the creation of dense housing supply, mixed-use economic development, active public spaces and pedestrian-centered infrastructure. As the city’s fastest-growing neighborhood, the Downtown economic development pipeline totals at $3.8 billion, with several signature projects underway, including the redevelopment of several city-owned sites, like the City Market Campus and Cole Motor Redevelopment. In addition to continued development, Downtown’s multi-family residential apartment occupancy is at 96.9 percent indicating a continued demand for downtown living.
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