Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Cultural Trail plans headquarters expansion – Indianapolis Business Journal
The not-for-profit that manages the Indianapolis Cultural Trail plans to expand its offices at the northeast corner of North Capitol Avenue and West Walnut Street.
Officials with Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc. said Tuesday that the organization will launch a $2 million fundraising campaign to support the acquisition and renovation of the 2,231-square-foot building directly west of its headquarters at 132 W. Walnut St., a project that would almost double the amount of square footage for the group’s operations.
The fundraising campaign is intended to fully cover the costs of acquiring both the expansion building and the organization’s current headquarters, at a cost of $1 million, as well as a $500,000 renovation and a sustainability and maintenance fund.
The Cultural Trail, which also oversees the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare program, expects for the new space at 701 N. Capitol Ave., currently the home of Sunshine Maintenance Services, to provide a welcome center for those using the trail while also increasing the organization’s operational and programming capacity.
“It is incredibly important for us to have our headquarters directly on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail,” Kären Haley, Indianapolis Cultural Trail executive director, said in written remarks. “We are thrilled to be able to expand our headquarters and to establish a long-term home and welcoming community space in the heart of our city.”
Sami Ayres-Kobren, communications and marketing manager for the Cultural Trail, told IBJ the current owner of the Sunshine building is “fully aware of our expansion plans and is supportive of our vision.”
The organization originally moved into its current building in 2013, just two years after its founding. Kenneth and Patricia Stanley own both the Cultural Trail’s current headquarters and the building into which the organization is trying to expand. The group employs about 20 people and works with dozens of volunteers.
“After many years of having a positive tenant/landlord relationship with the building’s owner, we are pleased to be purchasing our existing space and the adjacent building from the same owner,” Ayres-Kobren said. “The acquisition of the current headquarters and the adjacent building is a key part of our vision and strategy to create welcoming space for the community and meet our growing needs as an organization, all directly on the Cultural Trail which is key for access and our vision.”
The Cultural Trail is continuing to grow throughout downtown, with more than two miles set to be added by the end of the year through the 10th Street spoke and another along South Street. More work is underway to take the trail to the White River and over to White River State Park and the future Elanco Animal Health headquarters by 2026.
In May, the Cultural Trail added 330 electric assist bicycles to the Pacers Bikeshare program, while also launching IndyRides Free, an annual pass program for Marion County residents.
“The expansion comes at a pivotal moment as the Indianapolis Cultural Trail continues to grow and evolve at a fast pace,” Ayres-Kobren said. “Our vision is that by expanding our headquarters, we can better serve the community along the Cultural Trail by expanding our physical presence on the Cultural Trail. Establishing a long-term home directly on the trail ensures that we can continue to serve as a vital hub for connectivity, community, and beauty in downtown Indianapolis.”
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Fever head coach Stephanie White said Fever star guard Caitlin Clark will not practice on Tuesday, adding that Clark will be doing an individual workout.
Clark (back) did not play in the Fever’s game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.
“We want her to be healthy, physically, mentally and emotionally, all the things,” White said on Friday ahead of the game against the Sparks. “I think it’s important to remember, again, when you’ve gone through injury and the traumatic aspect of injury, especially that she had last year, it’s ups and downs, physically, mentally, emotionally, and making sure that she’s 100% ready to go is the most important thing. Her taking care of that is priority for us.”
Clark left the Fever’s game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday in the third quarter and did not return.
Clark has missed two games this season, both due to a back injury. The first game she missed was on May 20 against the Portland Fire.
Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and and 8.2 assists per game this season.
The Fever have a long break before their next game, when they travel to Las Vegas to play the Aces on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Jazz saxophonist and filmmaker Jared Thompson on a Saturday special show took a look back at his journey from the stage at the Jazz Kitchen to the film set, and from private self-acceptance to public artistry.
Thompson is the bandleader of Premium Blend, a jazz ensemble he founded roughly 11 years ago after wanting to get on the scene and connect with other musicians. The group — saxophone, keyboard, key bass, guitar, and drums — has produced four records in the past six years.
Thompson appeared Saturday on WISH-TV’s “Celebrating Pride 2026,” a special broadcast spotlighting the people and organizations showing up for the LGBTQ+ community across central Indiana.
He said he did not come out until his first semester of college, away from home. The experience, he said, was first about accepting himself.
“Once I was able to do that just for myself, I was able to say that and represent that to other people around me,” he said. “And I think that’s the most important thing about coming out.”
As a Black gay man, Thompson said he carries the weight — and the richness — of both identities.
“Those lanes intersect,” he said, “and I think that’s something every community, including the gay community, has to realize and understand.”
In 2020, Thompson and guitarist Ryan Taylor co-produced “38th and Postmodernism,” a soundtrack and film project that used jazz to reflect on civil unrest, the pandemic, and the communities most affected.
His message to anyone navigating their identity: you are not alone, and your gifts are a guide.
“Find solace in your work. You have that gift for a reason,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s not insurmountable and it’s going to be very rewarding once you come through it.”
This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.
29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.
Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.
Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.
Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.
In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.
Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.
Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.
Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.
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