Indianapolis, IN
Mayor Hogsett dines out after skipping homelessness event amid harassment claims
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — I-Team 8 tracked down Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett eating lunch at a downtown restaurant on Tuesday after deciding not to attend a press conference about homelessness in the city. It comes less than 24 hours after Lauren Roberts — who says she experienced sexual harassment and grooming from the mayor’s former top aide, Thomas Cook — was thrown out of a City-County Council meeting.
At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Hogsett was scheduled to attend a press conference to announce a new initiative with his Leadership Council on Homelessness.
Just before 11:30 a.m., his office announced he would no longer be attending the conference.
“In light of recent events, in order to keep the focus on supporting our unhoused neighbors, this afternoon’s press conference about the Streets to Home Indy initiative is postponed,” his office told News 8.
At around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, I-Team 8 found the Democrat mayor was eating lunch at The Oakmont, a popular downtown restaurant. The restaurant is a few blocks away from the press conference he was set to attend.
Maggie Adams-McBride is a former employee of Hogsett’s, having worked as a project manager in his office.
In early May, she resigned from her post, saying Hogsett did not adequately address cases of abuse and harassment.
“I am deeply concerned about how the administration handles harassment reports, including my own and those of colleagues,” Adams-McBride said in her resignation letter. She never received a response from Hogsett.
She also spoke at Monday night’s City-County Council meeting, joining calls for his resignation.
“He has not been held accountable for internal harm experienced by his workers,” Adams-McBride said at the meeting. “We have heard from survivors who have experienced retaliation, harassment, and systemic neglect, and these patterns don’t just exist in isolation.”
Following the meeting, Adams-McBride went to the restaurant on Tuesday.
When Hogsett left the restaurant, I-Team 8 was across the street and attempted to ask him why he had chosen not to attend the press conference and asked if he had a response to the City-County Council meeting Monday night.
He did not answer any questions at the restaurant.
Later on Tuesday afternoon, I-Team 8 sat down with Hogsett at the City-County Building for an interview and asked him about his interaction with Adams-McBride.
“I was having lunch and so she came up and we did have a conversation,” Hogsett said. “It’s unfortunate that she’s left the office, because I thought she was a wonderful employee, but she’s moved on to different things and I just said, simply wished her the best.”
I-Team 8 also asked the mayor if he was watching the City-County Council meeting and saw Roberts being thrown out of the meeting.
“I thought it was incredibly regrettable,” Hogsett said.
I-Team 8 also asked Hogsett what he has to say to current employees who are fearful of reporting harassment within his administration.
“I think it’s important that we continue to evolve the process for protection for all employees, and that includes confidentiality and anonymity, if they do have concerns,” Hogsett said.
As previously reported, I-Team 8 asked Hogsett if he has plans to resign.
“No, I don’t,” Hogsett said. “We’ve for two and a half years left in this term, and we have a lot to accomplish.”
Previous coverage
Indianapolis, IN
That trail you walk downtown? It’s generated $3 billion for Indianapolis, study finds
See the 10th Street Cultural Trail Expansion ribbon cutting ceremon
Highlights: Indiana Ave. and 10th Street Cultural Trail Expansion ribbon cutting on Indiana Ave. on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Since its creation, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in the heart of Circle City has drawn millions of residents and visitors to its distinctive paved path. But according to a new report, the trail isn’t just beneficial for those looking to get out on an urban stroll or bike ride — it’s a driver for the city’s economy and quality of life.
The report, “Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick at 20: Connecting People, Places, and Possibility,” was based on analysis by James Lima Planning + Development, a group of real estate, planning and economic development advisors. Here’s what to know about the report.
How has the Cultural Trail affected the city’s growth, development?
According to the report from 2026, the 10-mile trail has generated $3 billion in assessed property value around its path — money that supports the city and its governmental services.
The population along the trail has grown five times the city average and retail space near the trail has increased 39%, the report shows. Nearby food and beverage sales are almost twice the average per square foot in Indianapolis.
Additionally, the report shows, undeveloped land along the trail has the potential to add $1.4 billion of value in the near future. Since an initial study in 2015, the trail’s economic impact has grown from $1 billion to $3 billion.
“For nearly 20 years, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has helped transform Downtown Indianapolis into a more vibrant, connected and economically competitive city,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a June 3 news release. “It is more than a trail. It is a nationally recognized public asset that drives investment, supports local businesses, connects neighborhoods and improves quality of life for the people who live, work, play and stay in our city.”
According to the report, over 1 million people use the trail each year, and almost half of downtown Indianapolis residents live within a three-minute walk of the path.
What other features does the Cultural Trail offer?
Users of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail aren’t limited to walking — the Pacers Bikeshare program, operated by the trail, has 57 bike stations throughout the city that are accessible 24/7.
The trail also features nearly six acres of plants and greenspace, offering locals and visitors an urban getaway. City planners from across the world have visited the trail to study its design, according to the report.
What is the future of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail?
Focus on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has shifted from construction and maintenance to long-term operations and expanded resources for the public.
Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. — the trail’s nonprofit — said it has grown into the “crown jewel” of the city with the growth and development it has created over two decades.
“The Cultural Trail is driving billions in investment and making surrounding neighborhoods thriving destinations,” she said in a June 3 news release. “As we enter the next phase for the Trail, we look forward to building upon our initial 20 years of impact.”
Mia Thurow is the breaking news and criminal justice reporting intern for the Indianapolis Star. She can be reached at mthurow@gannett.com.
ICYMI: Top 5 IndyStar business stories in May 2026
A busy month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reignited debates about hotels and the downtown heliport. Plus, Eli Lilly celebrated 150 years.
May came and went, and with it, we saw the closest Indianapolis 500 finish in history, the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and a contested primary election day.
There’s also been some movement in retail news ahead of the summer shopping season. On the north side, a new women’s clothing store opened while a piercing studio set up shop in Speedway. Meanwhile, an indoor children’s play place opened on the near north side.
Read on for four spots that recently opened and one in Broad Ripple that said farewell.
Openings
Monkee’s
8659 River Crossing Blvd., monkeesofindianapolis.com, opened in March
Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a high-end women’s clothing store, opened recently on the north side in the Shops at River Crossing near the Fashion Mall. The brand Monkee’s started in the South three decades ago and has since grown to nearly 70 locations. In Indianapolis, Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt started the franchise to bring the clothing brand to the Circle City.
The Nest Play Cafe
515 E 22nd St Suite 101, indynestplaycafe.com, opened early May
The Nest Play Cafe opened at the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Street, offering an indoor space for parents and caregivers to bring their children to play. Caregivers can book 90-minute play sessions for $15 per child over the age of one. Tickets for additional siblings run $10. The cafe sells coffee and snacks, too.
Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Tuesdays.
Forget Me Not Piercing Studio
5324 W. 16th St., jessflowerspiercings.square.site, opened May 27
A new piercing studio opened in Speedway at the end of May just days after the Indianapolis 500. Forget Me Not Piercing offers traditional lobe, helix and conch piercings along with nostril and septum piercings. Artist Jess Flowers opened the one-woman shop on 16th Street.
Open Sunday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Black Orchid Barbers Fountain Square
1201 Prospect St. Suite 100, blackorchidbarbers.com, opened in May
Black Orchid, a local barbershop known for its sharp haircuts with a side of humor, opened its Fountain Square spot, marking the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location. Walk-ins are welcome but Black Orchid recommends grabbing a time slot online for your preferred service.
Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closures
Vitality IV Bar
6302 Guilford Ave., vitalityivbar.com
An IV-wellness spot in Broad Ripple shut its doors last month. Vitality IV Bar was located next to the Thieves cocktail lounge, formerly the Broad Ripple Starbucks location, before it went out of business.
Vitality IV still operates an Indianapolis-area location on Mass Ave downtown at 749 Massachusetts Ave where customers can book a variety of infusions with vitamins.
See a store opening or closing near you? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr
-
Seattle, WA4 minutes agoNew Ben & Jerry’s location opening at Seattle waterfront’s Pier 54
-
San Diego, CA7 minutes agoPadres designate Nick Castellanos for assignment
-
Milwaukee, WI12 minutes ago21 Things to Do During Pride Month in Milwaukee
-
Atlanta, GA19 minutes agoMiguel Almirón: World Cup profile | Paraguay & Atlanta United midfielder | MLSSoccer.com
-
Minneapolis, MN22 minutes agoCantus vocal ensemble takes on Dolly Parton hits
-
Indianapolis, IN27 minutes agoThat trail you walk downtown? It’s generated $3 billion for Indianapolis, study finds
-
Pittsburg, PA34 minutes agoAbout 5 pounds of bees removed from Acrisure Stadium scaffolding ahead of Morgan Wallen concerts
-
Augusta, GA37 minutes agoFormer Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death
