Safety at 86th and Monon. Grant awarded.

Earlier this fall, the Indiana State Department of Health released a request for proposals for a Tactical Urbanism Demonstration Project grant program. Nora Alliance, in conjunction with partners including Bicycle Garage, Inc. and Ball State Center for Civic Design, submitted a proposal for the 86th Street Monon Crossing corridor. This November, our proposal was awarded a grant by the Indiana Department of Health Community Planner.

Many thanks to the numerous organizations who voiced their support for our demonstration project proposal and the longer-term safety improvements at this important intersection. We are still soliciting support from any organizations that wish to show their support. The project will also require support from the Engineers at the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. Assuming we get DPW support, we will also need:

  • Assistance with crowd-source fundraising for additional funds for the project as well as for the ultimate goal of a tunnel (launch in Winter 2023)
  • Design and execution assistance (Winter 2023)
  • Assistance with petition signature gathering for more permanent changes, including a tunnel (Winter/Spring 2023)
  • Donation of project materials (orange barrels during installation, paint, planters, rollers, reflective tape, plants, temporary rumble strips, temporary bollards, etc.) The more we can get donated or purchase at cost, the farther the grant $’s will go. (March/April 2023)
  • Installation of project elements (April 2023)
  • Citizen-led traffic study to have data to compare to July 2022 study (July 2023), 
  • Assistance with maintenance of project (May-October 2023)
  • Assist with removal of project elements (October 2023)

Fatal accidents at this intersection have prompted renewed attention to the design of the street and path connections. Recent coverage:

WTHR https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/cycling-advocates-continue-to-push-for-safety-changes-monon-trail-crossing/531-4c7352b8-6e51-4a00-9237-9c1ad5562e0a

Fox 59: https://fox59.com/investigations/here-are-indys-most-dangerous-roads/

Would you like to be involved in the design and execution of a tactical urbanism demonstration project in Nora? Reach out to us or attend our next public meeting.

Sidewalks in Nora

You may have seen sidewalks going in on the east side of Westfield Boulevard between 83rd and 86th Street. This section of sidewalk connects the walkable streets to the south to the North Central High School campus, Jordan YMCA, adjoining retail and more. The sidewalk was built as part of a 2021 Neighborhood Grant Program. Nora Alliance had previously identified this as one critical area for pedestrian and walkability improvements among several in our community. We made Washington Township aware of the grant opportunity and provided them with documentation supporting the need. They applied for the grant and were one of about 12 organizations citywide awarded matching funds to build this key infrastructure. Many thanks to Washington Township leadership and the city for making this happen!

Thanks also to Paragon Realty, Jordan YMCA, Butler Fairman & Seufert Engineers, and other neighborhood stakeholders for their continued interest and engagement with projects like these.

Do you want to get involved with Nora Alliance to make a difference on projects like this? Please send us a note or attend an upcoming event.