5A: Support Neighborhood Residential and Commercial Development
Support planning for and investments in neighborhoods, beyond cultural districts, in order to allow them to remain distinctive and competitive. This may include diverse housing types, smaller neighborhood-serving commercial centers, walkable infrastructure and high quality public spaces, parks, and streetscapes. Such work should involve resident engagement that is representative of the whole neighborhood.
Value to the Community
Strong and vibrant neighborhoods define quality of life for residents. Investments that help them remain distinctive allow Indy to have neighborhoods for every preference from downtown high-rise to rural estate. Mixes of housing types and uses permit a neighborhood to accommodate people through life stages, improve connections and social capital among neighbors, and reduce the need to travel far to meet daily needs.Value to the Hospitality Industry
Outside of the traditional cultural districts most often visited by visitors, efforts to promote neighborhood stabilization and redevelopment will sustain population densities that help support local businesses while increasing the breadth of unique experiences. While predominantly local-serving, these neighborhoods contribute to resident pride and the identity of our city, and in many ways serve as incubators for local flavor.Updates
- February 2024. Black History Month Bake Sale. Circle City Prep Culinary club in partnership with The Patachou Foundation is hosting a bake sale opportunity to celebrate black history month. This bake sale allows students to use their cooking skills, learn about entrepreneurship, and bring together the community.
- February 2024. New Housing Initiative for Black Teachers. The Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation in partnership with Indianapolis-based nonprofit, Educate ME Foundation, and the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership have been leading a new housing initiative. The aim is to offer brand-new homes at below-market prices as an effort to retain and recruit Black teachers for the city’s public schools. They already have interested teachers and those who qualify can also pursue other existing homes in Marion County.
- September 2023. New Grocery Store for East Side. Indy Fresh Market opened in Indy’s east side, providing some relief for one of the biggest food deserts in the city. It is a Black-owned store that has been in the works for over three years and saw 1,000 customers on its soft opening with much support from the community, happy to no longer travel far for fresh food.
- January 2023. Vacant to Vibrant Housing Initiative. Indianapolis started a $4.5m housing initiative to further the development of affordable housing in two city neighborhoods, including the Riverside neighborhood along the White River, due to growth pressures.
- September 2022. New Projects for Old Southside. Old Southside was named a Lift Neighborhood in 2018, giving various grant opportunities for housing, business, and placemaking. The Department of Metropolitan Development and the Department of Public Works have partnered to implement safer corridors with a multi-use path, ADA sidewalks, improved drainage, and improved bike amenities.
- November 2021. Monon 30 Development. A new mixed-use development is planned for a neglected industrial area along the Monon Trail at 30th Street. The multi-phase plans include nearly 1,000 new residential units, 30,000 sf of event space, 50,000 sf of commercial and retail space, and recreation areas.
Key Partners
Confirmed Partners
- Partnerships Under Development
Recommended Partners
Priority + Progress
Monitoring priorities are the middle 60% or so of actions that TTI is keeping its eye on and supporting as needed.
TTI Role
The encourage role means TTI is offering encouragement to partners pursuing this action. This is the least-involved type of role and typically applicable when partners don't need much help.
