Downtown Update: Get in the Know


Posted by Bob on 06 Aug 2015 / 0 Comment


It’s August and the city is kicked into high gear. With activating Monument Circle, Georgia Street and Downtown as a whole, Downtown is staying energized and thriving throughout the summer. Here is a list of some top updates from Downtown Indy to be aware of as the organization strives to make Downtown a great place to live, work, learn and play.

Management Services

The Marion County Health Department is one of the organizations that was recognized at the luncheon.

A lot of effort goes into keeping Downtown clean and beautiful. Those front line service providers and maintenance staff from city agencies and some of the largest properties Downtown were thanked at the annual Downtown Indy recognition luncheon on July 29. Those at the luncheon included the Marion County Health Department (above), The Department of Public Works, The Chase Tower, IndyGo and many others. We want to thank all of these staff members and more for all that they do in keeping Downtown a clean and safe place to enjoy.

Sponsor a planter and help the Downtown Indy Beautification Fund with Inspired Beauty.

Downtown is one of the most beautiful and clean downtowns as stated above, but that doesn’t happen by chance. All are invited to support the beautification of Downtown with the fundraiser, Inspired Beauty, benefiting the Downtown Indy Beautification Fund. Want to sponsor a planter like the photo above? Contact Anne Maschmeyer for more information. Simply want to attend the event with live music and tasty treats? That’s OK too! Celebrate on Monument Circle Sept. 17 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and watch landscapers compete as they assemble container gardens on site.

Marketing & Events

CanalWalk_DowntownINdy-(5)

A new Public Spaces informational section is featured on our website, accomplishing a Velocity tactic. This helpful resource highlights more than a dozen public green spaces in Downtown with contact and rental information. Walk along the Canal, swing at Babe Denny Park or enjoy a cup of coffee at Bill Gray Plaza, and check the Downtown Public Spaces off your bucket list!

Enjoy lunch on the parklets installed on Monument Circle as part of SPARK until Oct. 16.

Spark, an initiative to activate Monument Circle, is underway. This ten-week free programming includes interactive art, music, yoga, guided walks, talks and play activities each day and for all ages through Oct. 16. Enjoy lunch with a co-worker, friend or family member at one of these parklets pictured above and listen to the hustle and bustle of Downtown. Check out this great Indianapolis Star article for more information about Spark and all of its activities.

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Drum Corps International has its annual World Championships Downtown Aug. 5 – 8. The DCI Performer’s Showcase & DrumLine Battle will again take place on Georgia Street Saturday, Aug. 8. Don’t miss this event as 8,000 audition for only 3,500 positions available for this top-tier DCI member corp.

MotorcyclesOnMeridian_IDI-(7)

Get revved up this weekend as motorcycles take over! Downtown Indy is hosting Motorcycles on Meridian Aug. 7 & 8. Motorcyclists are invited to park on Monument Circle, south on Meridian Street and all three blocks of Georgia Street. The ICON Limiter Live Motorcycle Stunt Show featuring Sportbike Kyle Slinger vs. V-Twin Rob Carpenter will also take place each night at 8:30 p.m. at 125 South Meridian Street. Start the Red Bull Indianapolis GP celebration early with this great event!

Commuter

Congratulations to all those who went car-free! Downtown Indy challenged the public to go car-free with the Car-Free Indy program. More than 32,100 miles were logged to surpass our 30,000 miles of commuting goal!

Real Estate Development

Fall Creek Place is one of four new neighborhoods added to Downtown Indy.

Four new neighborhoods were added to our website including Fall Creek Place (pictured above), Garfield Park, Hawthorne and Woodruff Place. This webpage continues to grow in views from when the site was first launched last October. The page is almost at 30,000 views!

WorkforceWeek

Planning is underway for Downtown Indy’s Workforce Week Sept. 14 – 18. Downtown stakeholders will host a week of events that celebrate our workforce who help contribute to Downtown’s strong corporate base and thriving businesses. Workforce Week will have different events throughout the week to thank Downtown employees and employers. For sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, contact Catherine Esselman.

The Cultural Trail

Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. released its first economic impact study demonstrating a valuable ROI. Findings include that property assessments within one block of the eight-mile Trail have increased 148 percent since 2008, an increase of $1 billion in assessed property value. It also found that the average expected expenditure by Trail users is $53 and that 95 percent of Trail users surveyed feel safe while on the Trail.

Membership & Administration

New members that joined Downtown Indy in July include Tini on the Ave., Coolbakers, The Handlebar, Where Magazine, Pie Five Pizza and Easter Seals Crossroads.

Additionally, renewed members for the next year include The Indianapolis Star; Crowe Horwath LLP; Ice Miller, LLP; Barnes & Thornburg, LLP; NCAA Hall of Champions; The Eugene & Marilyn Glick Family Foundation; Anderson + Bohlander; Embassy Suites Downtown; Indiana State Library; Old National Centre; Gregory & Appel, Inc.; Hard Rock Café; Skyline Club; Bright Ideas; Pattern Store; Indy Portables; USA Gymnastics and Shapiro’s Delicatessen.

If you or your business would also like to become a member, email Bob Schultz for more information.

Written by Bob

Bob Schultz is Senior VP of Marketing and Events for Downtown Indy, Inc. He travels the world seeking out urban spaces to see how they compare to Indy, his lifelong residency. He’s a celebrationist, loves civic events and crowds – especially on Monument Circle, Georgia Street and along the Canal. Bob believes our best days as a city are ahead of us.