Author archives

The creator and administrator for Urban Indy. I have a background in Geographic Information Systems, and a passion for promoting neighborhood redevelopment. Indianapolis deserves more voices encouraging it to move in a direction that encourages urban living, and this is the place for that discussion.

Nice Little Things

It is often easy to get caught up in big ideas and big money. City, state, and nation-wide investments are all needed to really make an impact. However, recently there have been a few new smaller items that can also improve life for city residents. The first is this little bus stop bench outside the …

1352 Illinois Street approved for Apartments

Apartment conversions have to be among the most exciting trends for urban advocates, especially when the building that is being reused has been vacant for a long period.   That trend continues with this month’s approval (page 40) of 63 residential units at 1352 North Illinois Street.   This proposal asks for less than one dedicated …

Hotel Broad Ripple

Construction has quietly been underway at Hotel Broad Ripple, which is located on Westfield Boulevard, and set to open by spring of 2014.  Exterior work appears to be mostly finished, as I was able to see on Friday: This project is downscaled quite a bit from their original vision first put forth in 2010, although …

501 Virginia

Another week, another project proposal for the Virginia Avenue Corridor.  This one is from Von Deylen, who also were behind The Hinge (one of my favorite new buildings in the city). Looks to be another solid addition. What do you think?

Fountain Square Apartment Proposal

After many years of redeveloping the existing historic buildings, Fountain Square is potentially going to receive its first new multi-use structure.  Milhaus has attained the property which was recently pitched as a gas station, and is proposing to build new apartments with 3100 sq feet of retail.  The designs have been submitted to the Indianapolis …

Downtown Project Update

It has been quite a while since I have posted a downtown project update. Almost two years, in fact.  With the beautiful day we had yesterday,  I figured it was a good time to walk around and post some pictures of some newer developments in the city. First up is the first new building to …

Pike Township’s Future

What happens when a large section of a city threatens to become obsolete?  That question came to my mind after hearing Indianapolis’ DMD director Adam Thies mention that he was worried about the future of Pike Township at yesterday’s We Are City Summit.  I was fortunate to be invited to the event as a media …