Indianapolis, IN
Potholes plague drivers on East 86th Street; leaders look for solutions
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hot mix will soon be available to fill potholes on some Indianapolis roads in the worst shape, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works says.
Some businesses and leaders on East 86th Street are hopeful for a long-lasting solution to the pervasive potholes that line the road.
“I grew up around here and I don’t think this road has ever been very good, but the last couple of years, it’s getting worse and worse,” said Andrew Znachko, head pastor at Antioch Community Church.
The church is located on East 86th Street, near the Castleton Square Mall and several other businesses.
Znachko, along with the other business owners, say drivers are dodging massive potholes as they make their way to the parking lot. Public Works says its team has been to that stretch four times this year to fill potholes.
“There’s disabled vehicles at times pulling into our parking lot with flat tires, broken tie rods,” Znachko said.
As a pastor, he says, his focus is making sure the community can thrive.
The craters in question form when water seeps through cracks in the road and freezes, making the road surface rise. As temperatures rise, the ice thaws and leaves an open area underneath that eventually collapses.
“They will fill the potholes and then the next time they plow the street, when the snow comes, it just rips it out and makes everything worse,” Znachko said.
The same Public Works crew that plows the roads also fills potholes.
The rough roads are something the area’s City-County councilor, Nick Roberts, has long been focused on fixing. “From Day 1 when I was elected, my No. 1 priority was roads. When I door-knocked in my campaign, that was by far the issue I heard most about. At the time, the most-talked-about road was Masters Road in Castleton, which we got fixed. That was the first thing I did as councilor.”
But, when it comes to 86th Street, he’s hit some roadblocks.
“The big structural problem we have in Indianapolis is the way that Indiana funds our roads in the first place,” Roberts said.
In short, funding for Indy roads and the help they need is currently measured by the length, not by the amount of traffic they see. This means a rural road in Boone County could get the same amount of funding that 86th Street does.
“As a city, we have to strategically use our money, and we have a lot less,” Roberts said. “But, to me, the road clearly needs to be worked on. I don’t care how much money we have, we need to work on it. Thankfully there is work at the Statehouse to get that.”
House Bill 1461, approved last week, could help bring an extra $50 million to the city for road funding, if Indianapolis matches the funding with that same amount.
While that legislation makes its way through the Indiana Senate, Roberts says, it’s important for drivers to continue reporting any issues they face through the Mayor’s Action Center.
“How can we all help each other out and get this thing done,” Znachko said.
Statement
“Following a rough winter featuring harsh freeze/thaw cycles, Indy DPW AFSCME Local #725 crews are turning focus to our city’s potholes. The same crew members who just put in 21,000 hours of labor during the most recent nine-day long snowfight are the same crews tasked with filling potholes across the county. So far this year, 20 days of potential pothole filling have been lost due to winter weather.
“However, we anticipate gaining access to hot mix asphalt in the coming weeks. This will allow crews to fill potholes with a longer-lasting solution than the cold mix asphalt that is generally used when temperatures are below freezing and hot mix plants are closed for the season.
“Additionally, contracted strip-patching crews will also soon be active – another tool for getting our roads into better condition.”
Indianapolis Department of Public Works on Feb. 26, 2025
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.
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