Design

Improving design aesthetics & the Indy brand

Bicentennial Plan Themes

Bicentennial Plan Actions Affiliate Projects

  • Strategy

    Honor and celebrate what we already have.

    Actions:

    Explore opportunities for art and design intervention of existing public infrastructure for the purposes of beautification and placemaking. More details

    Arts Council of Indianapolis

    15%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    November 21, 2016: The Public Art for Neighborhoods program will officially launch in early 2017. As part of the program, artists, neighborhoods, and community organizations will have the opportunity to envision and create programs, performances, and art pieces to beautify and create unique and authentic spaces throughout Marion County. Arts Council public art staff will serve as resources, advisors, and catalysts for this work, along with many community partners. In addition, the Arts Council is updating and revising the Public Art Master Plan. Public input sessions will be held in Q1 2017.

  • Strategy

    Engage the private sector to become committed to a culture of exceptional quality and design.

    Actions:

    Building off of the Regional Center Design Guidelines, develop a process by which districts may opt-in to minimum design standards for all residential and commercial development. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    0%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2019

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: DMD continues to evaluate the potential application of special design districts, through either the planning or zoning system, for use in areas outside of the Regional Center.

  • Establish an urban design action team to review everything that is awarded DMD funding (HOME, CDBG and TIF) for its design. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    100%

    Start Date:

    August 1, 2015

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2016

    Status update:

    November 20, 2020: In lieu of an internal action team, DMD established a new staff position of City Architect that provides these review services.

  • Organize a group of stakeholders that offers research and ideas toward a culture of good design. More details

    Indy Chamber

    80%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2018

    Status update:

    November 21, 2018: The Indy Chamber continues to recognize good design in construction, landscape design, placemaking, and the built environment through partnerships with AIA and its Monumental Awards annual event.

  • Edit the language of the Public Art category within Monumental Awards to include Creative Placemaking. More details

    Indy Chamber

    100%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    November 30, 2016

    Status update:

    November 21, 2018: The Indy Chamber has amended the language of the Public Art Category within Monumental Awards to include Creative Placemaking. The winners of the Monumental Award in 2016 (Revitalization of Speedway’s Main Street) and 2018 (The Ruins at Holliday Park) were Creative Placemaking projects.

  • Support the development of guidelines for enhanced design elements, inclusion of public green space and art, and sustainable practices as suggestions of receiving city TIF funds.. More details

    Indy Chamber

    80%

    Start Date:

    March 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    September 30, 2017

    Status update:

    November 21, 2018: The Indy Chamber continues to work to integrate higher design concepts into the ongoing City of Indianapolis economic development projects and incentives. Additionally, the City hired Kate Warpool, Administrator of Construction Services, to lead the design efforts.

  • Strategy

    Leverage philanthropic, grant, tax and development dollars to enhance existing pipeline projects in order to ensure high-quality design and best-practice implementation.

    Actions:

    Foster public-private partnerships that can inventory and collaboratively apply for grant dollars, and maximize philanthropic dollars that support catalytic and signature infrastructure projects. More details

    Central Indiana Community Foundation

    65%

    Start Date:

    April 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    June 27, 2017: CICF is a leader with Reconnecting to Our Waterways, working to maximize national and local philanthropic partnerships to build catalytic projects in ROW neighborhoods. They are currently involved in a partnership between Marion and Hamilton County to discuss the redevelopment of the White River as an entire project. The master plan is forthcoming. CICF is working to expand the bike share program throughout the county and public art projects along the Cultural Trail. CICF worked in partnership with the City to redesign and improve Tarkington Park.

  • Strategy

    Establish an organization or collaborative that advocates for high quality design in Indy.

    Actions:

    Explore the creation of a financial incentive for new developments to incorporate high quality design and materials into their projects. More details

    Central Indiana Community Foundation

    50%

    Start Date:

    April 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    June 27, 2017: CICF is focused on contributing where they can to encourage high quality design. Examples include their sponsorship of the design competition for the City County Building Plaza re-design, design of the public spaces as part of the GM Stamping Plant project, and the creation of an additional Cultural District, Market East. While there is no formal incentive program in place, CICF will continue to identify opportunities to promote and support high-quality design.

  • Strategy

    Leverage philanthropic, grant, tax and development dollars to enhance existing pipeline projects in order to ensure high-quality design and best-practice implementation.

    Actions:

    Explore the creation of a Design Center. More details

    Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

    55%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2016

    Status update:

    April 25, 2017: LISC has partnered with Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning to collocate services at the Platform, providing additional synergy for neighborhood partners seeking design and planning.

  • Project:

    Vibrant Corridors

    http://www.kibi.org/programs/special-initiatives/vibrant-corridors/

    A civic-led, public art initiative to beautify the downtown environment and help create exciting neighborhoods and travel corridors. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Downtown Indy have partnered to fund and create painted mural artwork in gateway underpasses around downtown, in a civic-led initiative called Vibrant Corridors. Vibrant Corridors transforms underpasses into beautiful community assets, employs artists, engages local businesses as suppliers, and motivates community volunteers to improve the city.