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, 2017

    Status update:

    February 6, 2017: DMD will be working to update and upgrade the existing Infill Housing Guidelines document and create a parallel Neighborhood Commercial Guidelines document to be part of an opt-in overlay as part of the new land use planning system that will be part of the Plan 2020 update to the countywide land use plan. Implementation of this system will be in a future phase of the land use plan. DMD partnering with River West Great Place on pilot project to explore design guidelines.

  • 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

    50%

    Start Date:

    August 1, 2015

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2016

    Status update:

    November 1, 2015: An urban-design action team was established in the fall of 2015 to perform design review on all projects DMD supports through its CDBG and HOME programs, and this requirement is part of all 2016-funded contracts.

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

    Indy Chamber

    0%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2018

    Status update:

    February 13, 2017: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Indianapolis works with the Indy Chamber to promote real estate projects and design in Indianapolis. Indy Chamber event, Monumental Awards receives submissions through AIA Indianapolis and awards winners in the Interior Design Category.

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

    Indy Chamber

    0%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    November 30, 2016

  • 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

    30%

    Start Date:

    March 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    September 30, 2017

    Status update:

    February 13, 2017: The city is currently in the process of on boarding a Chief Design Officer. 1% of TIF funds is allocated to art and project costs.

  • 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

    50%

    Start Date:

    April 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    February 16, 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. CICF is working to expand the bike share program throughout the county and public art projects along the Cultural Trail.

  • 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

    15%

    Start Date:

    April 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    February 16, 2017: CICF is focused on contributing where they can to encourage high quality design. One example is their sponsorship of the design competition for the City County Building Plaza re-design. 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.