March 29, 2004

Joined by community partners, downtown residents and business leaders, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson March 6 released a Regional Center Plan 2020, a blueprint that will guide downtown development in the city for the next two decades.

Last updated in 1990, the Regional Center Plan outlines land-use recommendations for future development and identifies key priorities for continuing to make downtown a world-class destination.

The city of Indianapolis developed the plan in collaboration with the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indianapolis Downtown Inc. and Ball State University's College of Architecture and Planning.

"Downtown is the heartbeat of our great city and region, where businesses, residents and visitors come together in an environment of energy and creativity," Peterson said. "This plan is a roadmap for the future, setting goals for taking our already vibrant downtown to the next level."

The Regional Center Plan 2020's key priorities reflect the vision for increasing mixed-income housing opportunities and improving the quality of life, further growing Indianapolis- life sciences cluster, enhancing public transit and promoting cultural and sports offerings.

BioCrossroads

The plan supports BioCrossroads, a collaborative initiative that is working to attract and create jobs and promote companies and entrepreneurial opportunities within Central Indiana's life sciences cluster. Specifically, the Regional Center Plan calls for the creation of a downtown research community along Stadium Drive and at the north end of the Central Canal.

Housing

With increasing demand for downtown housing, the plan outlines a goal of doubling downtown's residential population to 40,000 by 2020 through the development of mixed-income residential housing in the northeast, east, southwest and northwest areas of the Regional Center. Included in this goal is the creation of 1,600new affordable housing units. "To have the type of 24-hour activity we envision for downtown, we must be bold in increasing housing options, especially providing more affordable housing opportunities," Peterson added.

Conventions & Culture

The Regional Center Plan 2020 also discusses the need to expand convention, hospitality, sports and cultural activities in order to create more jobs in Central Indiana, enhance the quality of life for local residents and attract visitors to the region. The plan cites the ongoing Cultural Tourism Initiative as a key component in this effort.

Other key priorities of the Regional Center Plan 2020 include promoting a system of mass transportation and pedestrian/bicycle pathways to ensure improved accessibility and advocating for quality urban design through engaging stakeholders in the discussion of changes to the design review process.

The Regional Center consists of 6.5 square miles in downtown bordered by 16th St. to the north, Interstates 65 and 70 to the east, Interstate 70 to the south and the Belt Railroad to the west.

The plan was created through a community outreach effort that involved more than 1,000 residents, business leaders and other local stakeholders. Peterson kicked-off the planning process in November 2002. The Metropolitan Development Commission officially adopted the regional Center Plan 2020 earlier this month.

The Regional Center Plan 2020 is available in its entirety at www.indyrc2020.org