Indianapolis, IN

Answered: What if Indianapolis looked like this?

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

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.

“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

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.

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.

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

“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…

“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.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

Published

1 hour ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – More than a dozen protesters gathered at Military Park. In a dramatic escalation, the US and Israel engaged in military strikes against Iran and protesters are upset, including veteran Lucas Lee.

“I know what it’s like to be on the edge, potentially going somewhere where your life is at risk. And I believe this war is something we shouldn’t be fighting in. It’s important to stand up, because not only is standing up the right thing to do, but it could potentially save lives.”

Protesters held signs that read ‘Hands off Iran’ in front of the corner of West and New York intersection.
Several cars honked in support. Democratic City County Councilor Jesse Brown attended as well.

IPS School Teacher Noah Leininger organized the Anti-Iran War Rally. “The United States spends 1 trillion dollars on war every single year. While there are massive unmet needs right here in our own communities. People need jobs, healthcare, housing, and schools. And instead our government spends a trillion dollars every year to go and bomb elementary school age girls,” he said.

Iranian officials say the U.S. and Isreal hit a girl’s primary school in southern Iran killing at least 115 people.

The US strikes have not only created tension in the Middle East, but also here at home.
Mark Oakley who supports military action Iran, confronted the anti-war protesters. “Freedom for Iranian people, freedom for Americans. Freedom for everybody, but this [protest] is not it. When you’re debating about innocent people getting killed. You are debating the wrong thing.”

Additional police were called in to de-escalate the situation.

Chris Gomez, attended the protest because he wanted to take action. “Trump ran on a platform called the party of peace. That’s what Republicans run their policy on a party of peace, but look where we are now.”

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

Published

13 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Opera will host a free concert in honor of Black History Month Saturday night at 6 p.m. to celebrate the legacy and artistry of Black composers. The event features a range of spirituals, contemporary art songs, and operatic works performed a cappella.

Lyndsay Moy, the director of education, outreach, branding and design for Indianapolis Opera, said the event is designed to keep this specific music accessible to the public.

Resident artist Ian Williams, describes the concert as a mix of traditional repertoire and new songs. The artists will perform without microphones or instrumental accompaniment. “All of this is just straight out of our voices, so there’s no microphones,” Williams said. “We’re just creating the sound ourselves and putting it into a space, so it’s a little bit of, a little bit of breathing, a little bit of extra work there, yes.”

“So many composers tonight have been so influential in the broader vocal canon and it’s important and wonderful for us to be able to offer this kind of concert for free to our community to keep this kind of music accessible and more importantly to feature these fabulous artists like Ian so much talent,” Moy said.

Williams noted that the concert allows the organization to celebrate classic composers who were not well known during their own time. “It’s very cool because we get to celebrate some of classic composers all the way back to William Grant Steele, who was one of the who wrote operas back in the day, even during the time of Porgy and Bess, but he wasn’t, it wasn’t well known,” Williams said.

One of the featured pieces is the traditional spiritual “Fix Me Jesus,” which was arranged for the University of Michigan choir. Williams said the arrangement by Stacey Gibbs maintains the traditional spiritual style while adding rich harmonies.

While formal tickets for the event are currently sold out, those interested in attending can email tickets@indyopera.org to be added to a waitlist.

Check out the video above to hear a sneak peak of the Indianapolis Opera!

Source link