Indianapolis, IN
Officials break ground on 13-acre expansion of White River State Park
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana officials on Tuesday unveiled plans for a 13-acre expansion at the White River State Park.
They held a groundbreaking for the $65 million extension along the west bank of the river.
Park officials say the expansion will happen over two phases.
They say the expansion includes several event pavilions, a river beach, an expansion of the White River Trail, and connections to the new tech park called the OneHealth Innovation District. It will be fully complete in 18 months.
Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb said, “This is a moment that’s not just historic but will change how we are able to showcase who we are and where we are going.”
This story was created from a script aired on WISH-TV.
Officials break ground on 13-acre expansion of White River State Park
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News releases
“Indianapolis, IN – Today, the White River State Park Development Commission hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the former GM Stamping Plant to celebrate the largest-ever extension of White River State Park. Remarks by Governor Eric Holcomb, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Executive Director of the White River State Park Development Commission Jake Oakman, and City of Indianapolis officials were followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking.
“White River State Park is a 267-acre urban greenspace that abuts the White River in Downtown Indianapolis. The park’s new, 13-acre extension, set adjacent to the historic GM Stamping Plant atop a levee that runs the length of the western edge of the site, represents the Park’s largest expansion to date. Landscape architects Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA), based in Indianapolis, and Philadelphia-based DAVID RUBIN Land Collective (Land Collective) collaborated on the design, which features a raked, skyline-facing grand theater floating above the levee infrastructure to safeguard the city from flooding.
“Key design elements include ‘get downs’ for direct river access, multiple pavilions and porch swings, a river beach, expansion of the White River Trail, and connections to the burgeoning Innovation District, which represents a new chapter of investment to downtown’s southwest quadrant, along with access for the Valley Neighborhood to the new riverfront. Considered “river theater,” the extension establishes a monumental overlook and front porch unified by the White River Trail for gathering, performance, and observation of river activities. It is the first site for the White River State Park to directly engage the river.
“‘This is a wonderful opportunity to describe an inclusive social overlay upon the levee which safeguards Indianapolis and the citizens of the Westside neighborhood, by offering river engagement through White River State Park’s expansion southward. This new landscape addition will offer the people of Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, and their visiting friends a new perspective of the White River, which is the extraordinary natural feature that informs so much of the State’s character. In this project, infrastructure, rejuvenated riparian ecology, and year-round experience are seamlessly integrated to inform identity,’ said David A. Rubin, Founding Principal, DAVID RUBIN Land Collective.
“‘A legacy riverfront site that served as the center of Indianapolis automobile manufacturing for over 100 years will take on new life as a destination space along the White River Greenway’s network – a riverfront gem that serves as downtown’s front door to the River’s west side, connecting the new Henry Street bridge, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Innovation District campus, and the nearby Valley Neighborhood,’ said Daniel Liggett, REA Partner and project lead. ‘Our work with the White River State Park Commission will establish a welcoming and accessible urban riverfront park offering a distinctive prospect on our city’s skyline for all and a place that reflects the history and identities of the site, its neighboring communities, and the City of Indianapolis.’
“‘Working through the significant challenges of design expression atop the existing levee – the integrity of which cannot be compromised – the landscape architects have worked with the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and other city, state, and federal agencies to ensure the levee remains accessible and functional, while providing an iconic river experience that will become a venue for seasonal programming and a new landmark for the City of Indianapolis. The new riverfront park reinforces the design intent of George Kessler’s historic plan for the city’s Park and Boulevard System to create “open spaces providing recreation and fresh air for all.’
“In 2019, Land Collective participated in the White River Master Plan to identify potential opportunities for spaces that would allow human engagement along the river corridor. As a result of that plan, the firm identified the possibility for expansion adjacent to the Westside neighborhood as one such place. This master plan identified three tenets: river infrastructure, ecological rejuvenation, and social impact. Working in collaboration with Rundell Ernstberger and the White River State Park Development Commission, Land Collective identified this expansion site, which exists at the intersection of these three tenets.”
Rundell Ernstberger Associates and DAVID RUBIN Land Collective
“INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric Holcomb joined members of the White River State Park Development Commission and other community leaders for a ceremonial groundbreaking on a 15-acre extension of the park. Located on the west bank of the White River on a site once occupied by a General Motors manufacturing facility, the extension is the largest addition to the park since its founding in the early 1980s. The project will preserve and repurpose what remains of the Indianapolis GM Stamping Plant and include other amenities that leverage the site’s proximity to the White River and Valley Neighborhood and take advantage of panoramic views of the Indianapolis skyline. This project is being supported by a $30 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
“‘White River State Park is a crown jewel for our state, and it’s going to get even better with this latest strategic investment,’ said Gov. Holcomb. ‘We are kicking off a new era for the park while simultaneously preserving an important icon of our state’s industrial and manufacturing heritage. Lilly Endowment’s support is once again making a project that has been years in the making into a modern day reality and we are profusely grateful for their support. When completed, this addition to the White River State Park will serve as a glorious gateway to a vibrant innovation district complemented by this important community asset for nearby residents and visitors alike to enjoy.’
“The park extension will be immediately east of the OneHealth Innovation District, which is also being developed on the grounds of the former GM site. Anchored by Elanco Animal Health’s new global headquarters and Purdue University, the district is seeking to become a globally recognized research and innovation campus dedicated to optimizing the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet.
“‘White River State Park is an extraordinary place that attracts Indiana residents and visitors to downtown Indianapolis to enjoy greenspaces, trails, the Indianapolis Zoo, the Downtown Canal, museums, baseball games, concerts and festivals,’ said Ronni Kloth, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for community development. ‘This exciting expansion of the park will provide visitors with desirable amenities, including opportunities to enjoy and engage with the White River, and add to the vibrancy of the new innovation district.’
“Most of Lilly Endowment’s grant will support repurposing the remnant of the GM Stamping Plant into an event and community center. The centerpiece of the park extension, the multipurpose facility will be developed for year-round activations. Designed by legendary industrial architect Albert Kahn, the stamping plant was a landmark in industrial design and housed GM from 1930 through 2011.The factory played an important role during World War II and at its peak employed nearly 5,000 workers. Preserving this piece of Indianapolis history was an important consideration for the commission and other stakeholders in developing plans for the park expansion.
“‘We are excited about the opportunities this park extension will bring to preserve part of our history, physically and visually engage with the White River, connect with the nearby Valley neighborhood, and draw visitors to our downtown,’ said Jake Oakman, executive director of White River State Park. ‘More than 40 years ago, Lilly Endowment helped write the first chapter of White River State Park’s history when it supported the initial master planning of the park, and it has supported several other developments in the park over the years. We are thrilled that this new grant is helping us write this next chapter in the park’s history.’
“Reclaiming abandoned industrial space and repurposing a former manufacturing facility fits White River State Park’s mission and history. The development commission was originally chartered in the early 1980s with a goal of reclaiming abandoned industrial land and facilities on the west side of downtown Indianapolis. By the end of the decade, Washington Street was rerouted to make room for the Indianapolis Zoo, the first attraction to call the park home. This development began a revolutionary transformation of the west side of the state’s capital city, turning an industrial wasteland into the vibrant cultural campus there today.
“In addition to the Kahn Pavilion, the park extension will have other amenities that include an extended promenade trail, bench swings, a water feature, and a river theater designed for both small events and day-to-day use by visitors. The new Henry Street Bridge will bring the Indianapolis Cultural Trail into the park extension and will allow for connectivity to the east bank of the river. These features will be accompanied by new greenspaces that are designed to highlight views over the White River towards the Indianapolis skyline.
“The extension is located just east of the site of Elanco Animal Health’s new global headquarters, north of the Valley Neighborhood, and south of the Indianapolis Zoo. As a part of the project, White River Parkway will be realigned to enable travel between Elanco’s headquarters and the park extension.”
White River State Park
Indianapolis, IN
Marco Andretti retires from racing, ending an era for the Andretti family at the Indy 500
Marco Andretti said Wednesday he is retiring from racing, a decision that likely means the “Andretti Curse” at the Indianapolis 500 will never end.
The 38-year-old grandson of Mario Andretti announced on social media he will not attempt to enter the Indianapolis 500 next season and will instead turn his attention to his daughter, business ventures outside of racing, and a memoir in process called “Defending the Dynasty.”
Next year’s Indianapolis 500 will not have an Andretti in the field for the first time since 2005.
“I have had some really fun times behind the wheel in a lot of different types of racing cars — a lot of great memories as well, mostly at the Indy 500,” Marco Andretti wrote in his announcement, noting his start this year was the 20th of his career, good enough for 12th all-time.
“I am very much at peace with the next chapter in my life after dedicating three decades to the sport,” he added.
Marco Andretti also reflected on the Indy 500, his performances there and when he and his father battled for the lead in the closing laps of the 2006 race.
Marco Andretti was an IndyCar rookie, his father, Michael, came out of retirement to race against him, and Marco’s late pass of Michael should have been enough for the victory. Sam Hornish Jr. ended up chasing down Marco Andretti and the curse that dates to 1970 — the year after Mario Andretti gave the family their only Indy 500 win — continued.
“I am proud of my overall stats at the Indy 500. I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20% top-3 finishes at the Speedway,” Marco Andretti wrote. “It feels accomplishing to me to be able to retire having more podium finishes than my father Michael and the same as my grandfather Mario at the biggest race in the world.”
He added to his Indy 500 memories nearly being bumped from the field in 2011 and winning the pole in 2020.
“That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much,” he wrote.
Marco Andretti won two times over 253 IndyCar starts spanning 20 years. He debuted at the age of 19 driving for his father’s team, which is now known as Andretti Global but Michael Andretti was bought out of the ownership group at the end of last season.
Marco Andretti scaled back in 2021 to run only the Indianapolis 500 as he dabbled in NASCAR and other racing series. With Michael Andretti no longer an official part of the team, new owner Dan Towriss is under no obligation to enter Marco Andretti at Indy.
Marco Andretti’s final Indy 500 will go down as one of his worst — he crashed on the fourth lap as both Mario and Michael Andretti dropped their heads at another Indy disaster.
Despite the heartbreak at Indianapolis, the Andretti name is one of the most globally respected in racing. Mario Andretti won the 1978 Formula 1 championship, IndyCar titles in 1965, 1966, 1969 and 1984, and the 1967 Daytona 500 in NASCAR.
Mario Andretti is the only driver to win Indy, Daytona and an F1 championship. He is the only driver to win IndyCar races in four different decades and his 52 career victories rank third on IndyCar’s all-time list.
Michael Andretti ranks fourth all-time with 42 wins in IndyCar, just never at Indianapolis. He won the 500 as a team owner five different times. He won one title, was runner-up in the standings five times and ran 13 of the 16 races in the 1993 F1 season.
Marco Andretti only began trying other racing series after he stepped away from full-time IndyCar competition. The pressure on him to live up to his last name was enormous, especially at Indianapolis.
He reflected on his two decades in IndyCar as “competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times.”
“That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man,” he said. “Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics at times, and others doubting me, made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most.”
INDIANAPOLIS — Do you know where your taxpayer dollars are going?
That’s a question raised by some residents lately as several road and park projects begin across Indianapolis.
WATCH FULL STORY BELOW
Why these Indianapolis road projects are stirring questions about fairness
Last year, each City-County Councilor was given $1 million in the 2025 budget to be used for a park or road project of their choice. Most of those councilors chose a road project, but now people are wondering why certain roads were chosen.
“I’m trying to do it in the most fair way possible,” Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, who represents District 20, said. “I ultimately determined, you know, if I told folks that I was gonna put the money into parks and not roads, they wouldn’t be happy with that decision.”
Hart chose to resurface roads in the Forest Creek neighborhood, but part of that project will include a section of road that borders his home.
“There’s a constant improvement that goes along,” Hart said. “But there were just a lot of variables involved in this one particular case.”
We asked Hart his response to people wondering why he chose those roadways.
“I used data to pick the location, so there are multiple things that I looked at,” Hart told WRTV. “Here’s the PCI rating, here’s how old the road is, here’s where the projects already are… and then this is the place that makes the most logical sense.”
“I know that there are a number of communities around District 6 that need some repairs… but that was my priority,” Councilor Dr. Carlos W. Perkins, who represents District 6, stated.
Dr. Perkins is spending his portion on the Quail Ridge neighborhood.
“In walking through that community, I noticed, through my own observation, that the roads were in terrible condition,” he explained.
That neighborhood also sits directly across the street from Bethel Cathedral AME Church, where Pekins serves as pastor.
We asked Perkins the same question: What do you say to residents who want that funding to go to their streets first?
“They have advocated, they have been in touch with me, it’s been a communication through the last two years,” Perkins said. “And I believe that they deserve this investment.”
We reached out to Councilor Jared Evans to ask about his project in the Avon Creeks Estates neighborhood. Like Hart, his home happens to be on one of the streets set to be resurfaced.
We also sent an email to Councilor Brian Mowery with questions about his project, which will resurface a roughly half-mile stretch of Sunset Ridge Parkway, between Five Points Road and Moonstruck Parkway.
While not directly in front of his home, it does include resurfacing the road that serves as the entrance to his Franklin Township neighborhood.
Neither Evans nor Mowery responded at the time this story was published.
Construction on the projects is expected to begin as early as next month, with completion expected by summer 2026.
—
Casey Zanowic is the In Your Community reporter for North Side Indy. She joined WRTV in July of 2025. Casey has a passion for storytelling and is ready to showcase impactful stories that make a difference in her community. Share your story ideas and important issues with Casey by emailing her at casey.zanowic@wrtv.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Personnel at the Indianapolis Zoo first noticed a pair of rare, endangered tortoises were missing after a routine morning count on Oct. 12. Zoo staff didn’t report the tortoises missing to Indiana State Police until 11 days later on Oct. 23.
According to ISP, the reptiles were snatched out of their enclosure in the desert exhibit sometime between 10 a.m. on Oct. 11 and 10 a.m. on Oct. 12.
Investigators said the thief stole an Egyptian tortoise and a Northern Spider tortoise. Both are critically endangered due to the pet trade and poaching, according to the zoo’s website.
“The tortoises are not the large giant tortoises that you see people sitting on and riding around on,” Captain Ron Galaviz with the Indiana State Police said. “These are actually very small, probably fit in the palm of your hand.”
Galaviz confirmed the timeline of events but zoo officials have not said why they waited so long to report the tortoises stolen. Former FBI investigator Doug Kouns suspects it may have been an attempt keep it out of the headlines.
“My first thought would’ve been an insider, and maybe we can keep this quiet, resolve it, get somebody to just return it, and maybe you get fired but no criminal charges,” Kouns, who runs the firm Veracity IIR, said. “Just bring it back, and we’ll let it go, but now that’s not the case.”
Kouns believes the most likely scenario is that someone took the reptiles to keep as pets, not realizing they were making off with some of the world’s rarest tortoises that can sell for thousands of dollars.
“I think the risk-reward of stealing a turtle from the zoo to make a few thousand dollars just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me,” Kouns said. “That said, it’s not impossible.”
Investigators said they are looking to see if any surveillance video caught the thief. They’re hoping someone will notice something out of place and come forward.
“They could end up in a pet store,” Galaviz said. “They could be in somebody’s personal aquarium somewhere that obviously we don’t know, (the) black market. I think the possibilities run the gamut.”
State police also confirmed that the design of the exhibit would make it easy for someone to reach in and grab the tortoises. Kouns said that will likely change.
“If these things were too easily accessible by the public or unvetted staff, perhaps they will shore that up a little bit,” Kouns said.
Investigators are asking anyone with information on the case to call either the Capitol Police at (317) 234-2131 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477.
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