INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Residents of Indianapolis’s near north side have a chance to help shape the future of their neighborhood.

Crossroads AME Church is hosting two community listening sessions to gather input on revitalizing the 32nd Street and Capitol Avenue corridor in the Crown Hill neighborhood.

The first session is 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, 3266 N. Meridian St. A second session is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at the same location.

“We as a congregation do not want to undertake that initiative without getting input from the community,” said Reverend Jerry E. Davis III of Crossroads AME Church.

The corridor, located two blocks west of the Children’s Museum, has long been identified as an area in need of resources. Davis said the church’s research and conversations with community leaders have already surfaced concerns about access to food and pharmacy services. The area has been described by some as both a food desert and a pharmacy desert — a situation that worsened when a CVS near 38th Street and Illinois Street was replaced by a car wash.

“There is one less resource where perhaps within walking distance we can get the pharmaceutical needs that we have satisfied,” Davis said.

The July 14 session is designed as an open forum, with no limits placed on what residents can raise. Davis said the church wants to hear ideas that go beyond what research has already uncovered.

“We want to hear even beyond the numbers,” he said.

The July 30 session will give attendees a chance to return and prioritize the ideas and needs shared at the first gathering. Davis called the two sessions a “both and” opportunity, encouraging residents to attend both.

Both sessions offer in-person and virtual participation options. A free dinner will be provided at both in-person gatherings.

For more information, contact Crossroads AME Church.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Central Indiana is bracing for a prolonged stretch of intense heat as a strong ridge of high pressure becomes firmly established over the region. High temperatures are expected to climb into the low to mid-90s through Thursday, while heat index values — the combination of heat and humidity — will reach between 100 and 105 degrees each afternoon.

Today Through Thursday: Sustained Heat

A well-entrenched upper-level ridge will maintain hot, dry conditions through Thursday. Daytime heating coupled with suppressed atmospheric mixing will keep dew points elevated, and thus heat indices high, especially during peak afternoon hours between noon and 6 p.m.

Storm chances during this period are expected to remain very low as the stable, dry air mass suppresses convective development.

Late Week: Transition and Storm Chances

The heat will begin to subside by the end of the workweek as the high-pressure ridge weakens and shifts eastward. This opens the door for increased moisture return and the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms, particularly Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Models currently show some variation on the timing and extent of this moisture return, so forecasts may adjust as the weekend approaches.

Residual scattered storms will be possible into Sunday and Monday, but the main story shifts away from oppressive heat to more typical summer storm activity.

7 Day Forecast:

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is planning to close a few ramps connecting Interstate 65 and Raymond Street on the south side of Indianapolis later this month.

According to a release, the ramp from northbound I-65 to Raymond Street is due to close. The ramp ties I-65 northbound to both eastbound and westbound Raymond Street.

A ramp from westbound Raymond Street to I-65 northbound will also be shut down.

INDOT reported that the closures will allow crews to reconstruct the ramps with new asphalt. The closures will go into effect on July 24 around 6 a.m. The ramps are slated to reopen in October.

Traffic shift in downtown Indianapolis

In addition to the I-65 ramp closures, INDOT has also announced traffic shifts on Interstates 70 and 65 near downtown Indianapolis. The shifts are part of pavement improvements that are being made to portions of I-65 and I-70 between Fletcher Avenue and Washington Street.

Once the traffic shift is in place, northbound I-65 will be separated by a work zone and a barrier wall. The new pattern will force drivers who want to continue north on I-65 to keep left. Drivers aiming to exit for Washington Street will need to keep right before Fletcher Avenue.

Lane and ramp restrictions will be implemented when crews implement the shift. INDOT is expected to provide additional information on the timelines associated with the shifts next week.

While construction is ongoing, the speed limit on I-65 will be reduced to 45 mph.

The ramp closures and traffic shifts are both part of INDOT’s I-65 Safety and Efficiency project. The goal of the initiative is to replace pavement and add additional lanes along the interstate. Officials believe the project will help increase interstate capacity and improve pedestrian and traffic safety in the area.