Latest Posts for The Downtown Lowdown
Fountain Fletcher area stakeholders to state: Give us a breakShelby Street has reopened at Morris Street, but remains closed at Pleasant Run Parkway. The city’s flood drainage remediation project has caused major traffic headaches in Fountain Square for nearly two years. Having struggled through nearly two [Read More…]
Fire destroys recently installed statue of President Benjamin HarrisonThe 5’6” statue of President Benjamin Harrison was 3D-printed by students at the Herron School of Art. It stood for only two weeks as part of the Presidential Site’s Neighborway project. In mid-September, a collaboration between the Benjamin [Read More…]
Third annual Summerfest proves a boon for Mass AveOrganizers of Summerfest have described the July 18 event as the most successful such festival to date. Sponsored by the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District, Summerfest featured a live music stage and more than 40 artists and maker vendors, creating a [Read More…]
Restaurant plan emerges for Mass Ave buildingThe two-story structure at 646 Mass Ave was built in 1996 as the home of Dean Johnson Design and Dean Johnson Gallery. Bill Pritt, who already operates three Downtown restaurants, has announced plans to convert the former home of Dean Johnson Design [Read More…]
Mural pays tribute to a true St. Joseph urban pioneerThe new mural on the north side of Alabama Liquors is a tribute to the late Leah Orr, a neighborhood pioneer. The mural was commissioned by longtime St. Joseph resident Harold Mailand and created by local muralist J.D. Bills. A wire sculpture of [Read More…]
Downtown cultural institutions among those receiving major grant fundingThe Indianapolis Cultural Trail is one of five organizations in the Urban Times Zone which has received major funding through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative. Five organizations – The Cabaret, the Athenaeum, Big Car [Read More…]
Work begins to bring historic Real Silk ads back to lifeLocal muralist Eric Fernung has begun work on a major project to bring the 1920s advertisements for Real Silk Hosiery company back to the community’s attention. The Real Silk Hosiery Historic Mural Project is quickly becoming a reality. Organized by [Read More…]
City seeks interested parties for reuse of the former Indiana Women’s Prison propertyThe former women’s prison site includes buildings which date to the late 1930s. The Department of Metropolitan Development has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest for reuse of the Former Indiana Women’s Prison site. The site which [Read More…]
Pools, splash pads open now – or, for some, soonFive pools opened over the Memorial Day weekend, while others poised to open soon. The bad news is that the Willard Park pool will not open because of the ongoing Blue Line rapid transit construction project. The good news, though, is that five Indy [Read More…]
Pronto brings coffee, food and more to Stadium Village and Old SouthsideThe chopped Italian sandwich (left) and chicken salad sandwich are among the menu items at Pronto by Iozzo’s. Katie Harris, founder and CEO of Iozzo’s Garden of Italy, knew the neighborhood surrounding the highly rated Italian restaurant lacked a [Read More…]
Celebration set for return of Garfield Park’s fountainsThe historic fountains at Garfield Park, seen here at dusk, will return to action on Saturday, June 6. The Friends of Garfield Park are excited to announce a grand reopening celebration of the historic fountains at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, in the [Read More…]
Feb. 21 public meeting to launch vision plan for Mass AveThe NEXT Vision Plan will provide a framework for community-based initiatives that foster cultural vibrancy, economic empowerment, livability and long-term sustainability for Mass Ave. Leaders of the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District have unveiled the [Read More…]
Lilly grant to fund major expansion at Herron High SchoolHerron High School, located at 16th and Pennsylvania streets in Herron-Morton Place, is the flagship school of Herron Classical Schools. Herron High School plans to build what school leaders call “a transformative performing arts and science [Read More…]
A visitor celebrates Spark on the Circle as the spirit of IndianapolisThe author sees Spark on the Circle as a sustained contribution to the international conversation on placemaking and socially engaged art. By Dr. Cara CourageA recent visit to Indianapolis reminded me all over again how special this city is – its [Read More…]
16 Tech continues to make significant impact: annual reportInnovation Building 1 was 16 Tech’s first building, opened in August 2020. The state-of-the-art office-lab building houses the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and its initiatives, Indiana School of [Read More…]
Growing Places Indy: A Garden at the Crossroads of AmericaThe GPI UPick Garden makes the community – both micro and macro – stronger, healthier and more vibrant. It can also be deeply healing, because finding connection and belonging help us all to feel seen, heard and valued. By Laura Henderson / [Read More…]
The mostly forgotten life of a monumental sculptorAustrian-born Rudolph Schwarz sculpted several elements of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. By CONNIE ZEIGLER / Contributing editor Rudolph Schwarz, the sculptor of the stone figures of the city’s most famous landmark, the Soldiers and Sailors [Read More…]
IHPC balks at Catholics’ plan to demolish Holy Cross churchHoly Cross Catholic Church has been a cornerstone of its Near Eastside neighborhood since 1922. Photo by Lee Lewellen At its Oct. 1 public hearing, the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission unanimously denied a petition by the Roman Catholic [Read More…]
History, culture and architecture a few key elements of Indiana Landmarks toursDowntown is the focus of one of the many tours hosted by Indiana Landmarks. This month features a bicycling tour. PHOTO BY KELLY HARRIS Mass Ave, White River State Park, the Propylaeum, Downtown and more are the subjects of tours to be conducted by [Read More…]
City to launch pilot program controlling scooter parkingPilot program will create scooter parking zones to improve sidewalk access and safety. For pedestrians irritated by electric scooters left in their sidewalk pathways, relief may be coming. Officials with the Department of Public Works are launching [Read More…]