Neighborhoods

Cultivating complete communities

  • Strategy

    Implement a planning and public policy strategy to identify locations and guide the development of new neighborhood nodes and villages.

    Actions:


    Conduct a development suitability analysis to determine where village potential exists, including market demand, parcel size and availability, viability of adjacent neighborhoods, and non-residential land uses. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    25%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2015

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2018

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: Several pieces of this action are underway or complete, including the Market Value Analysis (MVA) that is part of the adopted Neighborhood Investment Strategy, which provides direction on the geographic nature of market demand. The Marion County Land Use Plan update also includes a “town center” overlay that will be placed to identify these special places.

  • Establish “complete community” criteria to meet the daily living needs of residents, including: walkability, mixed-use, and a range of housing types (affordability). More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    0%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2017

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2018

  • Determine and adopt adequate public facilities and minimum public service and design standards for villages and neighborhood nodes -such as pedestrian infrastructure, public lighting, streetscape amenities, public space, transit connections, and crime prevention through environmental design. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    0%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2017

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2018

  • Propose Economic Investment Districts (EID) for each existing and proposed village and node to help finance infrastructure improvements, operation and maintenance. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    20%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: DMD continues to provide data and analytic support to districts exploring EID creation for three existing villages and one emerging village.

  • Strategy

    Implement a housing investment strategy focused on entrepreneurship, such as artists, makers, and other early-career entrepreneurs.

    Actions:


    Identify areas best suited to acquire properties in a concentrated area. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    25%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2019

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: While not exclusively related to entrepreneurship, the adopted Neighborhood Investment Strategy provides the data and categorization to identify areas best suited for a place-based real estate strategy. RenewIndianapolis, DMD’s non-profit land bank partner, has also internally identified focus areas and is once again beginning to acquire property from County surplus with an eye toward redevelopment.

  • Explore a homesteading program, coupled with loan and incentive programs, in “branded” creative neighborhoods accessible to villages. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    100%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2017

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: A traditional homesteading was unsuccessfully piloted with one community development corporation and is no longer something DMD is pursuing. However, RenewIndianapolis, DMD’s non-profit land bank partner, does engage in a form of homesteading by transferring affordable properties to individuals for homeownership development. Recently this has included a focus on public school teachers through the beginning of a branded “Teacher’s Village” near 10th and Rural Streets.

  • Utilize anchor institutions or community partners to provide programming, support space, or support services that complement each creative neighborhood. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    25%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2017

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: DMD has provided entrepreneurship anchor support as part of broader neighborhood redevelopment goals to Source Riverwest in the Haughville neighborhood and the Big Car Tube Factory in the Garfield Park neighborhood. Source Riverwest provides entrepreneurship training while Big Car offers artist gallery space, arts programming, and artist-in-residence housing.

  • Strategy

    Provide private market confidence through leading and sustained public investment and commitment.

    Actions:


    Expand Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) eligibility for dense mixed-use housing, through designation of Community-Based Development Organizations (CBDO) and through use of Section 108 funds. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    100%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2017

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    November 20, 2020: In 2020, eleven CBDOs were certified, up from 6 in 2016.

  • Target and layer investment of federal development funds, including CDBG, HOME, Low-income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and New Market Tax Credits. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    100%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: DMD is entering its second year of the LiftIndy program that targets significant CDBG and HOME federal dollars into a single community for a sustained three-year period. The first area is the 16 Monon area, and the application process for the second round is currently underway. Similarly, DMD has been working with IndyEast Promise Zone and Great Places 2020 partners to encourage layering of these and other private and public investment programs, including tax-increment financing, to revitalize neighborhoods.

  • Promote establishment of Economic Improvement Districts (EID) to improve village core governance and provide support for management and enhancement of public spaces and value-enhancing public services. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    100%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2017

    Status update:

    November 20, 2020: DMD provided data and analytic support to one neighborhood, three existing villages and one emerging village. Of those, currently two EIDs have been successfully implemented (Woodruff Place and Fountain Square). An additional EID (downtown) was not passed by the City-County Council.

  • Identify targeted neighborhoods for the new county-wide housing strategy. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    100%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2017

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2017

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: The Metropolitan Development Commission adopted the Neighborhood Investment Strategy in November 2017. This Strategy typologizes geographies based on varying market and socioeconomic conditions and identifies community development tools for each type of geography.

  • Implement a strategy where all existing schools have sidewalks or biking pathways leading to and from the school to the surrounding neighborhood. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    25%

    Start Date:

    May 1, 2015

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: The Metropolitan Development Commission adopted the Walkways Pedestrian Plan in April 2017, which considered destinations like school in funding priorities. In November 2017, the MDC adopted the Marion County Land Use Pattern Book, which recommends any new school construction only be located where trails or sidewalks connect to nearby neighborhoods. Currently, DMD and DPW are working on IndyMoves, the city’s first comprehensive transportation plan, that includes pedestrian as well as bicycle and greenway trail facilities.

  • Develop and publish a set of school siting criteria. More details

    Department of Metropolitan Development

    100%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2017

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2018

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: In November 2017, the Metropolitan Development Commission adopted the Marion County Land Use Pattern Book, which recommends any new school construction follow these guidelines: be located along an arterial street; not be within 1000 feet of a highway or interstate, have direct sidewalk or trail connection to any residential development with one half-mile, and should be within one-half mile of a bus stop or station if IndyGo serves the area.

  • Strategy

    Develop desirable baseline criteria for all neighborhoods.

    Actions:


    Expand the number of grass-roots driven planning efforts, such as Quality of Life planning, as the baseline framework for working with neighborhoods. More details

    Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

    70%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    April 25, 2017: In 2016, LISC completed the South Indy Quality of Life Plan and unveiled the Maple Crossing Great Place plan, the River West Great Place plan, and the Englewood Village Great Place plan. In 2017, LISC has begun the process for two new Great Places plans, Twin Aire and 25th and MLK. These are slated to be unveiled in late 2017.

  • Strategy

    Implement a planning and public policy strategy to identify locations and guide the development of new neighborhood nodes and villages.

    Actions:


    Provide families comprehensive homeownership preparation programs, including classes, mortgage advising, mortgage origination and post purchase advising, that lead to low- and moderate-income families closing on their first or second mortgage. More details

    Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership

    75%

    Start Date:

    January 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: The percent complete is approximate and assumes that there will be an average of 475 first or second loans originated, each year, between the start and completion date for this action step. In 2017, INHP originated 657 first or second loans.

  • Strategy

    Develop new local housing, retail, and mixed-use development financing mechanisms.

    Actions:


    Develop financing mechanisms that leverage capital from multiple sources to be invested in neighborhood based homeownership and community development initiatives and/or projects. More details

    Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership

    100%

    Start Date:

    July 2, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    November 7, 2016: Financing mechanisms have been developed and over $26M has been committed to homeownership and community development programs and initiatives through December 2020

  • Strategy

    Implement an anchor institution housing strategy to revitalize neighborhoods.

    Actions:


    Partner with the Indy Chamber to help identify anchor institutions and corresponding neighborhoods and help deliver on the Live Indy component of the Chamber’s Anchor Institution’s strategy. More details

    Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership

    100%

    Start Date:

    July 2, 2016

    Completion Date:

    December 31, 2020

    Status update:

    February 7, 2017: The Indy Chamber and INHP have developed the partnership, and have identified anchor institutions and neighborhoods to participate in the Live Indy program.

  • Deliver the Live Indy component – the housing and investment framework that blends institution master planning with neighborhood planning – of the Indy Chamber’s Anchor Institution strategy. More details

    Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership

    100%

    Start Date:

    July 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    June 1, 2021

    Status update:

    March 14, 2018: In 2017, INHP fully active the Live Indy-Anchor institution housing strategy.

  • Layer institution investment with public, private and philanthropic capital to incentivize employees of the institutions and other stakeholders to live in neighborhoods identified through the community planning process. More details

    Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership

    100%

    Start Date:

    July 1, 2016

    Completion Date:

    June 1, 2021

    Status update:

    February 6, 2017: Anchor Institutions in the Indy Chamber Live Indy program, implemented in partnership with INHP, will leverage their resources with INHP to incentivize employees and other stakeholders to live in the corresponding neighborhoods.

  • Project:

    Neighbor Power!

    http://www.inrc.org/neighbor-power

    Neighbor Power is an interactive and educational annual conference that advances the cause of community-led comprehensive community development in Indianapolis. Neighbor Power provides an opportunity for residents, community leaders, decision makers, funders, and other stakeholders to engage with and learn from each other about what they do and why it’s important.’ This gathering features various community leaders sharing best practices of community revitalization, and allows attendees an opportunity to network and connect across neighborhoods.

    Conference Goals:

    • Bring organizations and individuals together intentionally to foster resident leadership and neighborhood collaboration.
    • Highlight and share the successes of citizen-led development across Indianapolis.
    • Build year-round networks and affinity groups for similar community interests.
    • Continue to share the elements of a comprehensive approach to community development.
    • Recognize and reward people in community development and attract more who want to do this work.

  • Project:

    Welcoming Week

    https://www.immigrantwelcomecenter.org/

    Immigrant Welcome Center (IWC) helps to build strong neighborhoods through our Natural Helpers program, an initiative that connects older, established immigrants with newcomers who are transitioning to life in Indianapolis. Each September, native-born and foreign-born residents are connected through IWC’s Welcoming Week activities.

  • Project:

    The Great Indy Cleanup

    http://www.kibi.org/programs/beautification/great-indy-cleanup/

    Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s Great Indy Cleanup is an anti-litter program in partnership with the City of Indianapolis, and part of a national Keep America Beautiful initiative, designed to assist individuals and community groups combat heavy litter and debris that has accumulated in public spaces such as streets, alleys, greenspaces and waterways. The Great Indy Cleanup program also brings together Indianapolis residents, building community while cleaning up local neighborhoods.

    From April through October, residents were able to request resources to clean up their neighborhoods, including a dumpster, trash bags, and gloves.

  • Project:

    No Mean City Initiative – Neighborhoods

    http://www.nomeancity.com

    Realtor.com recently named Indy the easiest place to buy in the U.S. – no surprise thanks to our rich and diverse mix of housing options, low cost of living and high quality of life.

    Indianapolis boasts well over 100 neighborhoods – each with their own personality and community culture. No Mean City brings to life a mix of these neighborhoods, through stories and videos, allowing individuals to discover which ones might be ideal for their interests and needs as a resident.

    The site has organized Marion County into twenty-five communities – each encompassing a variety of neighborhoods. Currently, No Mean City highlights 12 of those communities (and nearly 30 neighborhoods). As the site grows, additional communities and neighborhoods will populate the site.

  • Project:

    IMCPL Strategic Plan – Neighborhoods

    http://www.imcpl.org/strategicplan/

    “Building communities through lifelong learning” is part of the core mission of The Indianapolis Public Library. They develop deep knowledge of Indianapolis residents and use that knowledge to transform their Libraries into practical and creative anchors for community life. The new strategic plan focuses on strengthening Indianapolis neighborhoods and businesses throughout our community. The Library will act on seven strategies developed for this purpose:

    1. Establish the Library as a civic focal point and resource center by creating opportunities for people to become informed and engaged on important issues.
    2. Adopt spaces and services that strengthen Indianapolis neighborhoods by making Library buildings flexible and responsive as service priorities change.
    3. Ensure that the community’s diverse population including immigrants and the economically and social disadvantaged have their special needs met through positive user experiences.
    4. Nurture healthy and vibrant communities by creating robust collaboration with neighborhood organizations, charge staff to fully participate in the life of the community and neighborhoods served and be a free Internet access point for Indianapolis neighbors.
    5. Support business development in Indianapolis by facilitating the success of small and community-based organizations.
    6. Deliver a rich and vibrant virtual Library presence by implementing continued website improvements and utilizing the Library website as a source of community awareness about Library programs and services.
    7. Develop increased audio-visual capacity in Library locations to highlight community activities and provide public access to conferencing and production equipment.
      Increase the number of neighborhood organizations hosting their meetings in Library branches and the number of elected officials who hold office hours or town hall meetings in our branches.
    8. Increase the number of neighborhood organizations hosting their meetings in Library branches and the number of elected officials who hold office hours or town hall meetings in our branches.

  • Project:

    Great Places 2020

    http://www.greatplaces2020.org

    The goal of Great Places 2020 is to transform neighborhoods and spur urban revitalization to help address the following challenges:

    • High levels of pollution and obesity
    • High unemployment and poverty rates in certain areas
    • Population loss to neighboring counties
    • Low graduation rates

    Recent efforts–such as the Super Bowl Legacy initiative–have demonstrated that a coordinated and strategic focus on neighborhood revitalization can bring about fundamental change in a targeted area. Great Places 2020 hopes to similarly structure initial funding sources and strategic programming so that private investment follows. Investments in each Great Place will be organized into four outcomes: