For Immediate Release: June 07, 2023
Media Contact: Hannah Thomas | City of Indianapolis
Mayor Joe Hogsett announces temporary closure of Monument Circle southwest quad, Georgia Street redevelopment
Hogsett Administration releases South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan paired with investments in public spaces and infrastructure
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett was joined by city officials and civic stakeholders to announce the temporary closure of a portion of Monument Circle and the redevelopment of Georgia Street. The moves represent the first steps of the South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan.
“Today’s announcement is a roadmap for investment in infrastructure, public spaces, and Indianapolis’ most valuable asset: our residents,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of downtown. As we grow our skyline, at the ground level we’re creating safer streets and more vibrant public spaces. We’re proud to join with community members and downtown stakeholders to set forth a bold vision for the years to come.”
The City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development embarked on the South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan in 2021 to create a blueprint for public space investment, economic development, connected infrastructure, and pedestrian safety in the south Mile Square. The Connectivity Vision Plan prioritizes investments based on four strategies: district identity, streetscape improvements, gateways, and public space activation. As part of announcing the plan’s recommendations, Mayor Hogsett unveiled the City’s first implementation of the plan’s strategy: SPARK on the Circle and the redevelopment of Georgia Street’s west block.
Monument Circle and SPARK on the Circle
Mayor Hogsett announced the closure of the southwest quadrant of Monument Circle for this season of SPARK on the Circle, in partnership with Downtown Indy, Inc., Big Car Collaborative, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorial Commission. Beginning on July 8, the partnership will activate Monument Circle with a green pop-up parklet featuring daily public art, live music, food and beverage, and community programming. This investment will also bring two new two-stall shipping container restrooms located on the W. Market St. south curb lane beginning in June and remaining throughout the activation.
“Monument Circle has long been the ‘people’s plaza’ and the hub for our some our city’s greatest arts and cultural events,” said Taylor Schaffer, President & CEO of Downtown Indy, Inc. “This long-term, partial closure of the Circle will allow us to expand upon our city’s track record of successful one-time and seasonal events to create a consistent line-up of engaging experiences that breathes life and creativity into the heart of our city, 7-days-a- week. Great cities are often defined by welcoming, safe public spaces and with the help of collaborative partnerships and supportive stakeholders, residents and visitors alike will be able to experience Monument Circle, our city’s most iconic public space, as they never have before.”
Georgia Street Streetscape Improvements
The City will embark on a phased redevelopment of Georgia Street into a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant public space that will connect Downtown’s tourism, sports, and cultural assets and provide sidewalk expansions that will allow adjacent businesses to expand their outdoor footprints. The first phase of the project will focus on the west block and transform the current landscape into a new front door for the Indiana Convention Center and Hilton Signia Hotel. The City will partner with the Capital Improvement Board for the redevelopment and management of this segment.
In addition to Monument Circle programming and Georgia Street redevelopment, the South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan includes recommendations for several projects that will serve as anchors for the next era of downtown, including the re-envisioning of the City Market Campus, the 6th Indiana Convention Center expansion, Bicentennial Unity Plaza, and the Union Station Underpass project.
“The vision laid out in this plan includes investments and solutions that are sustainable because they build upon our successes and are the product of a collaborative, forward-thinking, and inclusive process,” said PS&E CEO Rick Fuson. “This is an important first step to reimagining the future of the Mile Square, enhancing the vibrancy and livability of our downtown, and better connecting downtown amenities to our surrounding neighborhoods.”
The South Downtown Connectivity Plan was led in partnership with Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and a steering committee comprised of the Indianapolis City-County Council, Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Downtown Indy, Inc., IndyGo, Visit Indy, Health by Design, the Indianapolis Colts, and dozens of civic partners. DMD collaborated on the plan with urban designers and landscape architects Merritt Chase and downtown revitalization specialists HR&A Advisors with support from GANGGANG and Art Strategies. To view the South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan visit www.visionsouthdowntownindy.com.
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 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 $9 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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