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For the last three decades, downtown has seen remarkable growth resulting in economic gains, increased vibrancy and an ever-expanding residential base. Yet, as of late, there has been considerable discussion about downtown’s post-pandemic recovery. And naturally so. While small in geographic size, downtown serves a critical role for central Indiana—acting as a valuable tax generator, job creator and hub for high-profile events.
The University of Toronto has closely tracked the recovery of downtowns across the United States by using cellphone location data to quantify foot traffic in central business districts. In the first quarter of this year, when the University of Toronto published its most recent analysis, downtown Indianapolis was lagging behind peer cities in foot traffic and visitor metrics. And while there are components of the University of Toronto study that require further analysis—including the exclusion of the Indiana Convention Center in the data-collection footprint—the metrics reinforce how important people are to the resiliency of a downtown.
The truth is, empty sidewalks feel less safe. Desolate public spaces can encourage illegal behavior. A deserted downtown can fuel a self-perpetuating cycle, where a bad experience reinforces perceptions, and a lack of vibrancy drives people to either stay home or go elsewhere.
Even sizable investments that we are making in partnership with the city of Indianapolis—$3.5 million for downtown operations, including full-time cleaning crews, new crime-fighting technology, additional deployment of foot and bike patrols, and the hiring of outreach workers focused on connecting chronically homeless individuals to resources and housing—could be insufficient if downtown still seems unwelcoming.
That’s why we’re reimagining how activations and events can play a critical role in breathing new life into our downtown—and July has put this strategy in the spotlight.
On July 4, an iconic annual tradition was transformed at Downtown Indy’s Fourth Fest presented by UA Local 440. For the first time, we held a community street party before the launch of the fireworks that included a free concert stage, as well as food, drink and entertainment attractions. Fourth Fest boasted record-high attendance for July 4 and exceeded even pre-pandemic downtown foot traffic metrics by more than 40%. Never before has our Fourth of July event been so intentionally concentrated on bringing people into the Mile Square—and our data indicates that downtown restaurants, bars and businesses saw the positive impacts.
Additionally, the recent launch of Spark on the Circle is a different type of event, as we join the city of Indianapolis, Big Car and many other partners in a months-long transformation of Monument Circle. Spark features seating and play structures, free games and experiences, a cafe with local offerings, and regular live performances.
This public-space activation is doing more than reshaping the look of one of our city’s most iconic sites. It is pushing back on negative perceptions and leveraging consistent programming to create a safe, engaging atmosphere where visitors and residents alike want to spend time. In the weekend Spark opened, nearly 5,000 people walked through the event.
For a small organization like ours, events are a balancing act. They require a lot of time, fundraising and staffing. But their power to transform once-emptied spaces into a safe, vibrant amenity is undeniable, providing yet another reason for businesses to choose downtown, people to visit our city and residents to want to continue calling Indy home.
Want to see for yourself? Spark on the Circle is ready to reconnect you to downtown, now through Nov. 4.•
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Schaffer is president and CEO of Downtown Indy Inc.
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Good Luck Taylor. But until people feel safe downtown it will be a longshot. I was recently at a large downtown hotel for a wedding. Having been forced to park in the old mall parking basement I had a very uncomfortable encounter with a vagrant, intoxicated individual with no shoes and being very aggressive. Mayor Joe needs to wake up and get serious about downtown safety.
Good job, Taylor. Well written. I did read that study. Keep pushing!
My wife and I are big supporters of Downtown Indy, but disappointed in your article because, in all due respect, leaving out the incredible impact of the Convention Center on Downtown doesn’t make sense. We have been living Downtown for 13 years
and witnessed hundreds of happy visitors here from out of town on Saturday and other nights enjoying themselves. We have never had an incident walking downtown at night. Instead of mentioning only a single incident in a garage, how about giving the story of how downtown incidents have decreased and when they do occur they do so extremely late at night and early mornings; also that the majority of homicides in the City do not occur downtown.
Why have you not mentioned the marked increase in the downtown population and the many new
apartment buildings that continue to be built?
I hope you take a more holistic approach the next time you write, including all of the positives about Downtown as well as those things that need improvement.
I respect people who don’t live downtown, but if they are not availing themselves of the nationally regarded Eiteljorg Museum, the Indianapolis Symphony, the IRT, the Ballet, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum, the District Theatre, the Indiana State Museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the highly regarded professional sports stadiums, etc. they are missing some wonderful experiences and plenty of good restaurants to go with them.
Taylor, great article! The work Downtown Indy Ind is doing is great and we have to start somewhere.
Our work will be made so much easier when the city stops all the construction road work that makes just getting downtown with many closed one-way streets and then finding a parking spot so frustrating. I’m all for free parking somewhere downtown – Circle Center mall perhaps?!
And David O – great comment about all of the unique happenings downtown – I think many people forget how great it is to come in for concerts, fairs, sports, theater and the arts! ITS ALL HERE DOWNTOWN.