Indianapolis mayoral candidates differ on visions for downtown

14 thoughts on “Indianapolis mayoral candidates differ on visions for downtown”

1. If Indianapolis really wants to bring young diverse talent, then
   Indianapolis needs to build a major locally based university.

   Preferably based in the downtown area.

   It’s nice that IUPUI will be divided into IU Indianapolis and Purdue Indianapolis.
   HOWEVER, these will never be more than just a regional campus.

   The bulk of the high tech research will NEVER be done in Indianapolis.
   Only a locally based Universities will do that.

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   1. so…. Butler?

   2. What would prevent them from leaving right after graduation?

      Simply building a new school isn’t going to achieve this. Universities don’t exactly operate under “Field of Dreams” principles.

   3. The people most likely to stay are people already in Indiana. We’ve made two decisions that and have will continue to hurt us as a state.

      Back in 2007–2008, we cut funding on higher education. All of the colleges responded by taking less in-state students and taking more out-of-state students.

      On top of that, for the last 15 years, educational attainment in Indiana has declined so we have less students who are even eligible to go to the big colleges in Indiana.

      Our response to the issue has been, well, the world needs plumbers too. Which is does, but not to the extent of which Indiana is determined to supply them.

      Another approach, for a state flush with cash like Indiana, would be to forgive Indiana students tuition at Indiana colleges if they maintained minimum GPA’s, graduated in the prescribed time, and took jobs in Indiana that they kept for 5-7 years.

   4. Joe B.
      Great points.

      Purdue is a prime example of bringing in out of stater’s and foreigners.
      It has contributed to their ability to freeze tuition, but also to greatly
      enhance their private/public research projects and dollars.
      They are fast becoming more nationally recognized than ever. S

      I do like the idea if possible of reducing student loan payments if the student
      maintains a certain GPA and is willing to vomit to staying in Indiana ( and possibly start
      a business ).

      I think ( if not mistaken ) Tennessee has utilized the reduced tuition for
      state residents and it is paying off greatly for the state in keeping
      talented young people and drawing ENORMOUS economic development projects.

      My point is this.
      Downtown Indianapolis must be more aggressive.
      ***We must also think outside the box.**** We need to also set up forums for
      people to publically introduce ideas and coordinate with others that have
      bold ideas and solutions also.

2. so…UIndy

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   1. Some form of that last idea is a good one Joe. Maybe not a 100% forgiveness but 50%? Anyway, good idea.

3. IU Downtown is where most medical high tech research happens in the State of Indiana…
   Along with all of the student housing they have also built in the last decade to make it more than a regional campus.

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   1. This is not just a Field of Dreams daydreaming.

      This is about growing and developing our downtown and city.
      Locally headquartered universities greatly enhance a city and its overall
      downtown growth and development.

      Look at Columbus, Louisville, Cincinnati, Nadhville, Memphis, Atlanta, ect…..
      All cities with major universities headquartered in their downtown areas.
      All cities that have greatly benefited their downtowns vibrancy and quality
      of life.
      A university headquartered in our downtown would bring in a lot of young
      talented people into our city to live, work and play.

      A university headquartered downtown would bring much needed –
      1). High rise housing for density
      2). Young talent that might stay *** If Indianapolis can improve quality if life ***
      3). Bring research projects and dollars
      4). Bring in corporate interest and dollars that we are NOT getter no now.
      5). Fill store fronts that are currently vacant with shops, restaurants, and entertainment

      Many other benefits also that we are not realizing currently in downtown Indianapolis.

      It’s great that IU and Purdue are making plans for Indianapolis. But the bottom
      line is….Indianapolis will NEVER be more than a regional campus for
      I.U. or Purdue. The bulk of all their research will remain in Bloomington
      and West Lafayette.

      Indianapolis is NOT drawing any corporate interest in our downtown or city
      overall for that matter locally or from out of towners.

      This long term plan that I’ve proposed is just one major piece of Mosiac puzzle
      for turning downtown into a true destination for locals and out of towners.

4. There are many other things that Downtown Indianapolis could currently do to fill
   Vacancies and create demand.

   My above proposal is but one piece of the greater mosaic puzzle
   to help our downtown become a great downtown that people will
   want to visit, live, work, and play.

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5. Could Butler or University of Indy be that viable downtown university?

   On another note cleaning the city up so it looks presentable would be a good idea. Drive down the dilapidated highways and streets with pothole’s galore, a quilt of patchwork pavement and dirt and trash and then ask yourself why people are not staying in Indy. We have a lot of good things going for us here but we’re missing some of the easy stuff.

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   1. Ryan S.
      Agreed!
      We are missing some easy stuff.

6. This thread is a perfect example of the problem.

   I proposed a big audacious goal – tuition forgiveness for Indiana residence if they meet certain criteria. Keep good grades, get done promptly, get a job and reside in Indiana for 5-7 years, voila, we forgive your tuition.

   Heck, let’s go one further. All those international students graduating from IU and Purdue? Staple a green card to their advanced diplomas (masters, phD, etc.) if they make the same commitment.

   What’s the response? Maybe just 50%, maybe make them start a business. Simply put, too big a risk.

   Which way do you want it? You claim you want to attract businesses. You’re not doing that with little fun incremental stuff. You have to do something big that gets attention.

   Why did Purdue get a lot of attention? They had a big goal like a tuition freeze. They didn’t do some thing incremental like “we increase less than others”.

   If you’re not going to do something big and bold, you’re just doing what Hoosiers have always done, and that ain’t good enough.

   And, no, the concept of dropping income taxes “just like other states” isn’t good enough either.

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   1. Agreed on the “ staple a Green Card to the foreign students “ if they are
      high tech researchers and will commit to living in Indianapolis and start
      a business, Then
      HEll Yes!!

      I’ve said for a long time that we have enormous pipeline of talent right up
      I-65 at a place called Purdue Universuty. Let’s pipe this talent into Indianapolis.
      Let’s give them a Green Card if they will commit to living here and start a business.

      Dropping the state income tax by itself is not the answer unto itself.
      But it is an important piece of the puzzle.

      Indianapolis must be bold.
      Indianapolis must think outside the box.
      Indianapolis must cross corroborate between economic development agencies
      and with the public in a public forums.

      Our awww shucks attitude is NOT working.

      Downtown Indianapolis is stagnating compared to our peer cities.