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Answered: What if Indianapolis looked like this?

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Answered: What if Indianapolis looked like this?


We asked, and you delivered. Hundreds of you responded to our call-out in the newsletter and on social media for “What if… Indianapolis looked like this?”

We dug through the answers and pulled out a few that shared similar themes. As a reminder, this is meant to get a conversation started. We don’t have any plans (or the means) to develop gardens atop every parking garage.

Easier transportation options

Several folks called for easier travel + improved public transportation. What if…

“We had a rapid rail to and from the airport?” — Deb T.

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“Indy had a light rail above the city that traveled as far north as Chicago and as far south as Louisville?” — Jules B.

“We had a subway? Driving brings down quality of life.” — Sheila

“Honestly an underground rail system that connects downtown to the airport should be a serious conversation.” — @chitwoodmedia

“We actually used the city canal for transportation? Like the canal narrowboats in the UK, as was originally intended. Boats for leisure, sightseeing, commuting, lodging, even food boats, etc. Would take work, but we’re dreaming here…” — @kylesbarnett

“Parking downtown was free? More motivation to go downtown.” — Laura

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Economic development

Folks want to see economic development. What if…

“We had more downtown retail instead of empty apartments?” — Dawn

“Restaurants and shops were on the White River close to downtown? It seems good real estate for this area is not being used.” — Ginny

“We took an abandoned building site and turned it into a destination amusement park?” — Julie T.

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What if the tops of the parking garages were event spaces with rooftop gardens?

Emphasis on more pedestrian-friendly spaces

There is a strong call for better walkability and bikeability. What if…

“More public rooftop spaces, more trails, and walkable paths with sidewalks…” — @hotwalkindy

“I moved to Indy nearly a year ago and have been shocked at the lack of sidewalks for residents. In my hometown, they have walking paths between many of the public parks to create a giant walking trail. My running group used them frequently, I walked my dogs, and I found a few new small businesses along the way while working to stay healthy.” — Penny L.

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Green light for green solutions

We love that so many of you want to see Indy go green. What if…

“The roofs of restaurants were gardens so all of their produce was freshly harvested.” — Judy

“What about public gardens? The city needs more green space.” — @roseavenueliterary

“Indianapolis was a vibrant, progressive, walkable city with curb side recycling, native green spaces, and clean, safe streets?” — Anonymous

“Whe had more of a connected/activated downtown and White River? White River State Park is great but on the side of downtown is still very industrial. What if we redeveloped that land with pathways and open green space and maybe a pier/dock out into the river to activate the waterway for water sports and activities?” — @_abhammer

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“Indianapolis cared about water and air quality enough to make them healthy to consume? It’d be nice if the White River lived up to its name again.” — @astralsolitude

White River State Park with pickleball courts

Some of you have asked us about pickleball courts downtown, so here’s what AI imagines.

There is a focus on community support systems, events, and a general sense of local pride. What if…

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“Downtown Alleyways were turned into welcoming spaces with rope lights, art, delightful moments, pleasant smells (like Chatham Passage on Mass Ave), etc.” — Morgan S.

“Indy had a great live music strip?” — Martie H.

“They housed the homeless community in the empty jail downtown? Perfect accommodations — bathroom, showers, kitchen, shelter.” — Stuart R.

Get involved

Though you are more than welcome to always share your thoughts with us via our comments section or inbox about any local news, we encourage you to share those same thoughts in a way that brings about the changes you want to see in our city, whether you have a good idea for development or you’re in opposition to one.

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Indianapolis, IN

New bridge over 96th Street adds to Nickel Plate Trail connections

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New bridge over 96th Street adds to Nickel Plate Trail connections


FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — The Nickel Plate Trail pedestrian bridge over 96th Street is officially open.

It was being touted Friday as a major milestone for central Indiana’s growing trail system. The street is the Fishers-Indianapolis border.

Leaders called the project a critical connection point for the Nickel Plate Trail. The new bridge helps move the nearly 17-mile trail closer to its goal of connecting multiple counties through one continuous path.

The bridge also came with a 1.3-mile trail extension. A $4.5 million grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources made the bridge possible.

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Dale Brier, deputy director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, talked about the state’s Next Level Trails grant program. “Currently, we have 89 trail projects that that were funded with that money. Fifty-nine of those are complete. We’ve got 12 under construction. As of this opening, we have 167 miles of trail that have now been opened with that grant money.”

People who frequently take the trail for their daily exercises say they’re excited the bridge is finally open.

Alan Errichiello of the Fishers Running Club said, “Extending this down south into Indianapolis is a big game changer for us. It’ll add a lot of miles that we can easily get into.”

Resident Tracy Mundell said, “Trying to get to the other side was nearly impossible, so I think most people didn’t even attempt it. It’s going to be great, we can get over to the other side, and I’m anxious to see what’s over there.”

The final portion of the project, called the Clear Path project, remains under construction.

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Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, a Republican, said, “We need to double-down on that investment, and we know time and time again here in the city of Fishers that trail systems, the ability to get up and get out and get active, is such an important part in our culture of health, that an investment like this is critical.”

Once complete, local leaders say the goal is to provide a more safe and connected routes between Noblesville, Fishers, Indianapolis and other surrounding cities.

Resident Steve Mundell said, “It’s lovely. It’ll be real convenient to get across too.”



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Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades

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Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades



What grades did the Indianapolis Colts earn on the 2026 NFLPA report cards?

The NFLPA is no longer able to make their annual report cards public. However, ESPN’s Kayln Kahler was able to obtain a copy of the reports following the 2025 NFL season, and the Indianapolis Colts were again around the middle of the pack.

In these report cards, players rate numerous aspects of the organizations they play for, from ownership to the training facilities and everything in between. According to Kahler, 1,759 players contributed to these grades.

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So, where did the Colts end up this year relative to the rest of the NFL this year?

Overall, the Colts ranked 17th. Below is a breakdown of each individual grade they received.

  • Treatment of Families: B
  • Home Game Field: D
  • Food/Dining Area: B
  • Nutritionist/Dietician: A-
  • Locker Room: C+
  • Training Room: B
  • Training Staff: B+
  • Weight Room: B
  • Strength Coaches: A
  • Position Coaches: B
  • Offensive Coordinator: B
  • Defensive Coordinator: B+
  • Special Teams Coordinator: B+
  • Team Travel: B-
  • Head Coach: A-
  • General Manager: A
  • Team Ownership: A

Of note, although the Colts haven’t been to the postseason in five years, Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both received high marks.

Carlie Irsay Gordon, Kalen Jackson, and Casey Foyt earned an A in their first year as the primary owners.

The field at Lucas Oil Stadium received a very low mark, earning a D, while the locker room was given a C+. Those were the two lowest grades the Colts received.

Compared to the 2025 rankings, the Colts moved up two spots this year, after coming in at 19th last year.

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The biggest jumps the Colts experienced came in the Food/Dining grade, which went from a C to a B. The Team travel grade also jumped from a D+ to a B-.



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Indianapolis police search for 3 people after shooting, stolen vehicle crash

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Indianapolis police search for 3 people after shooting, stolen vehicle crash


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a shooting, Indianapolis police were searching for three people who fled on foot following the pursuit of a stolen vehicle and its crash on Thursday afternoon.

No information was provided in the notification about the three people being sought. News 8 reached out to IMPD by email to find out details about the three people. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the people who fled the crash was asked to contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

The stolen vehicle was linked to a Thursday shooting, prompting the lockdown of a nearby child care center, IMPD said in a media notification. No information was provided about where the shooting happened, what may have led to it, or whether anyone was hurt.

IMPD, however, said the stolen vehicle and crash were not related to a shooting reported at 12:35 p.m. Thursday at a gas station and restaurant at West 38th and Meridian streets.

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IMPD officers found the stolen vehicle around 12:45 p.m. Thursday near East 38th Street and Post Road. When a detective attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled westbound before crashing a short time later near Whenner Drive, the notification said. It did not say what type of vehicle was abandoned in the crash.

Three people from the crashed vehicle fled southwest on foot. IMPD established a perimeter with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the Lawrence Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office — using specialized resources, including a state police helicopter, a special weapons and tactics team, and the IMPD’s police dogs — but did not find the three people.

IMPD said a firearm was found in the crashed vehicle, and a man detained at the crash scene was later released once investigators determined he was not directly involved in the incident.

Police have since lifted the lockdown on the child care center.

IMPD’s public information office can be reached at 317-327-3424.

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