Indianapolis Neighborhood Infrastructure Partnership (INIP) Grant

From the City’s release: “Indy DPW will accept applications proposing public infrastructure improvements from non-profit, community-based organizations for the 2023 Indy Neighborhood Infrastructure Partnership from December 1, 2022 through February 15, 2023. Awards will be made up to a preferred maximum of $500,000 per project, with a total of $2 million to award in this program from Mayor Hogsett’s 2023 budget. Projects conditionally selected to receive funding will be announced in spring 2023, after which time Indy DPW will work with the applicant to refine the scope of their proposed project, formalize a project agreement, and manage the construction of their proposed project.

Full details and grant application are here.”

What could this look like in Nora? 

Examples and Details

Another example

Sidewalk between Ironworks developments and Keystone Crossing available for use

INDIANAPOLIS (July 16, 2018) – The highly-anticipated sidewalk that connects Ironworks Hotel Indy and Ironworks at Keystone to the Keystone Crossing area is now open for public use.

The sidewalk, which stretches 1,140 feet, begins at the Ironworks developments and runs along the south side of 86th Streetto the Fidelity Investments building located at 8480 Keystone Crossing. Pedestrian crossing signals make the sidewalk safe for passersby.

“The 86th and Keystone area is one of the busiest interchanges in the city,” said Jill Saligoe-Simmel, Nora Alliance board member. “It’s been mostly inaccessible to safe bike and pedestrian traffic. The Nora Alliance is pleased to have an involved community partner like Hendricks Commercial Properties and Ironworks to champion this project. We think it will be a valuable link for recreation, shopping and commuters. Our desire for Nora is for it to be friendly to people including those on bikes, on foot and in cars.”

Hendricks Commercial Properties, the Wisconsin-based developer of Ironworks Hotel Indy and Ironworks at Keystone, worked with the city to install the sidewalk and make the 86th Street region more walkable.

“Connecting the Ironworks developments to Keystone Crossing is a key point of linkage for the city,” said Isaac Bamgbose, vice president of development for Hendricks Commercial Properties. “While there is still room for improvement, we’re excited about this project as it’s the only safe passage space for pedestrians available beneath the Keystone Bridge on 86th Street. Whether for shopping, recreation, or dining, the entire Nora community will benefit greatly from this walkway installation.”

Hendricks Commercial Properties owns more than 9 million square feet of real estate in 30 statesacross the U.S., including 13 buildings in Indiana. Notably, Hendricks Commercial Properties is recognized for its award-winning luxury apartments, Ironworks at Keystone, and Indy’s only independent boutique hotel, Ironworks Hotel. Hendricks Commercial Properties is also spearheading the Bottleworks District project, a transformational $260 million mixed-use redevelopment project of the former Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue.

To learn more about Hendricks Commercial Properties, visitwww.hendricksgroup.net. To learn more about Ironworks Hotel Indy, visit www.ironworkshotelindy.comor follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagramand LinkedIn. To learn more about Ironworks at Keystone, visit www.ironworksindy.comor follow on Twitter and Facebook.

About Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy is Indianapolis’ first and only north side boutique hotel. The five-story original brick industrial building inspired by 19th century architecture features 120 guest rooms in addition to retail space, and provides a comfortable, eclectic first-class experience for both local guests and travelers.

About Ironworks at Keystone

Ironworks at Keystone is a distinct 5-story mixed use development on the corner of Keystone Avenue and 86thStreet. Inspired by a time when we built things to last, Ironworks at Keystone features nearly 36,000 square feet of fine dining and shopping on the 1stfloor, 120 modern residential apartments for rent on the upper floors. Live, work and play in perfect balance at a place made with strength and stability.

About Hendricks Commercial Properties

For the past 43 years, Hendricks Commercial Properties, headquartered in Beloit, Wis., has been investing in commercial real estate throughout the country. Diane Hendricks, Chairman of the Board, started the company in 1974 with a core focus in multi-family and industrial real estate. Today, the company is a diversified real estate investment, development and management company comprised of more than 9 million square feet with over 800 tenants located in 30 states. The company and its ongoing strategy remains committed to continually growing a highly diversified Class A portfolio with its core asset focus being industrial, retail and urban mixed-use commercial real estate.

Indy Moves! Nora, We Need Your Input!

Neighbors, here is our opportunity to let the City know what Nora’s priorities are for walking, bicycling, driving, and transit.

IndyMoves-Project_Map

Indy Moves interactive map. Public ideas are in bright pink.

What is Indy Moves?

Indy Moves is a citywide effort to tie together Indianapolis’ many transportation plans and projects and establish an action plan that keeps us all moving for years to come. It will connect Indianapolis’ transportation goals, plans, and projects into an integrated mobility future. This includes the bicycle network, pedestrian network, trails and greenways, street expansion plans, and bus/bus rapid transit plans. Learn more here.

Your Input Is Needed!

Indy Moves is making the final push to get comments from the community on the Draft Capital Plan. An interactive map will let you comment on proposed projects, add new project ideas, and vote for your favorites. Share your thoughts on the project ideas that have been submitted and add your own. We want to know what projects matter most to you and which you think are most important for our future.

Here’s How You Can Help

  1. Log into the interactive map (you do not need an account to log in).
  2. Zoom to Nora (and your neighborhood) to view proposed project ideas (shown in bright pink).
  3. The Nora Alliance has added project ideas gathered from the Nora  Pedestrian Planning Meeting last Fall. Click on a project to view and “Like” the projects you deem important.
  4. Add new projects and comments that you think are needed.

Be sure to submit your comments before the online map closes March 20th

CLICK HERE to share your feedback on projects!

PRESS RELEASE: Marion County Transit Plan Implementing Indy Connect

Throughout February public meetings are scheduled to discuss transit plans. The plan proposes changes to local transit routes and rapid transit. The currently proposed Red Line (BRT) phase 2 route would bypass central Nora. The Nora Alliance has requested a public meeting be scheduled in Nora.

INDIANAPOLIS (February 1, 2016) – Based on years of planning, IndyGo, with the support of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA), is shepherding a Marion County transit plan through a public involvement process. Throughout the month of February, public meetings, community outreach, and input opportunities will solidify a strategy for significant mass transit improvements in Indianapolis.

Since 2009, various studies and sustained public involvement under the banner Indy Connect have helped sculpt a detailed plan for regional mass transit. This spring, the IndyGo Board of Directors could endorse a Marion County plan aligned with this regional strategy while serving local needs. By 2021, the expanded system would bring high-frequency service to nearly 250,000 more residents and jobs, running seven days a week with a 71% increase in total service hours.

“Rapid transit routes like the Red Line that are part of the Indy Connect plan have garnered significant public attention over the years,” said Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director, Anna Gremling. “These lines are exciting, but they’re just part of a more detailed plan to improve transit across the region.”

Aside from the proposed Red, Blue, and Purple rapid transit lines in the plan, sweeping improvements to the local bus service have been detailed including buses coming more often, earlier in the morning, and later into the night. A new grid pattern for the bus system will make for easy transfers and quicker travel seven days a week.

“Access to transportation is one of the strongest factors that affect economic mobility,” said IndyGo President and CEO, Mike Terry. “A robust transit system has the ability to empower people by connecting them to employment and education, revitalize neighborhoods, give residents more lifestyle options, and access to daily necessities.”

Legislation passed by the State legislature gives some counties in Central Indiana a new funding mechanism for transit by calling a referendum. The plan for Marion County assumes passage of a referendum in 2016 at .25% with new funding available in 2017.

“We are eager to talk about these plans to greatly enhance our services,” said IndyGo Director of Public Affairs, Bryan Luellen. “Feedback from the public is a hallmark of our planning process.”

Public comments received through the end of February will be reviewed and considered for any final revisions to the plan ahead of an endorsement decision by the IndyGo board of directors in March.

PUBLIC MEETING LOCATIONS AND DATES:
  • Friday, February 5 at Central Library 
Knoll Meeting Room
    Open House from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with a brief presentation at 12:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 13 at the Haughville Library
    Open House from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with a brief presentation at 12:00 p.m.
  • Monday, February 15 at Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFÉ) 8902 E. 38th Street
    Open House from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 27 at Central Library
Knoll Meeting Room
    Open House from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with a brief presentation at 12:30 p.m.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE PLAN:

Plan details are available online and at the IndyGo Retail Center, 34 N. Delaware Street. 

IndyGo is also offering unstaffed information displays at various library branches. More details online.

Comments can be made in writing at a meeting or at an unstaffed information display, online, or through customer service at 317.635.3344.

Individuals requiring any accommodations for access to information should contact the IndyGo marketing department at 317.614.9295. Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request for materials in foreign languages, Braille, large print, or electronic means.

ABOUT INDYGO:

IndyGo, the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, provides public transit service throughout Marion County. In 2016, IndyGo will open the Downtown Transit Center at the corner of Washington and Delaware and make major system-wide route changes. Visit our website, follow @IndyGoBus on Twitter, or call 317.635.3344 for more information.

Nora Ranks High Among City’s Most Needed Sidewalks

For all its wonderful assets (like great schools, mature trees, shopping and Monon Trail), Nora still has some of the greatest need for pedestrian infrastructure. A recent study maps Indianapolis’ missing pedestrian walkways (i.e., sidewalks and multi-use paths) and provides a tool to help identify where investment should be focused. It reveals the gaps in the pedestrian network and prioritizes each missing section based on proximity to destinations, population density, and demographic factors that may contribute to an area’s particular transit needs.

Note: The College Ave Trail from 86th St to 91st St, one of Indy’s highest ranked missing walkways, is nearing completion!

About the Map

Missing pedestrian walkway segments are color coded from low to high priority based on their proximity to available destinations, population density, and social indicators.

Using 2014 data of Indianapolis’ existing pedestrian network* as a reference (i.e., sidewalks and multi-use trails), missing walkway segments are mapped along primary and secondary arterial roads and collector streets that host major bus routes. The resulting map represent the gaps in the existing pedestrian network along the city’s main road corridors. Each missing walkway segment is then scored based its proximity to population density and social indicators (i.e., net social index concentrations). For example, segments shown in red (high priority) touch areas containing both high net population density and high scores for social indicators representing potential pedestrian infrastructure need, such as income, minority status, education, linguistic isolation, and age (2010 Census; 2013 ACS).

Additionally, missing walkway segments received scores for their proximity to 5- or 10-minute walk radius around destinations. Destinations include public libraries, college campuses, primary schools, secondary schools, vocational schools, museums, supermarkets, recreation facilities, greenways, parks, future Red Line bus rapid transit (BRT) stops, and city bus stops.

The scores for each segment are tallied and the results are used to rank the missing walkway segments from low to high in terms of their priority for future development.

City-Wide Efforts

Efforts are underway in Indianapolis to enhance walkability, as demonstrated by its recently adopted Complete Streets Ordinance and the Health By Design et.al. Indy WalkWays initiative. A large land area and limited budget require the City find tools and strategies to efficiently and effectively develop and maintain its infrastructure. This includes finding ways to prioritize the types of pedestrian infrastructure needed to enhance walkability, and the location of that infrastructure.

Westfield@87th

The map of Nora is part of a city-wide study of Indy’s Most Needed Pedestrian Walkways by Jill Saligoe-Simmel, Ph.D. Jill is a resident of Nora.

86th Street & Monon Trail crossing

Better Crosswalks Mean a More Walkable Nora

Great crosswalks send the message that people who walk are important.

Improving walkability doesn’t always have to mean significant infrastructure investment. An important part of a more walkable Nora is enhancing the pedestrian infrastructure that we already have. This includes maintaining crosswalks that allow pedestrians to safely and comfortably cross busy street traffic.

nora-crosswalks-overview

The Nora Alliance recently submitted a request to the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) for crosswalk maintenance. The request addresses immediate needs at 6 intersections in central Nora with high volume of pedestrians in substantial conflict with vehicular traffic. These are primarily existing crosswalks in need of paint marking maintenance and minor enhancements. Most are already signalized for pedestrians.

 

nora-crosswalks-2

Monon Trail @ 86th St Crossing – Repainting the crosswalk for the Monon crossing at 86th St. This crosswalk is very heavily used. We request the width of the crosswalk be increased, if possible, to better accommodate the higher volume of people walking, riding bikes, skating, and wheelchairs often all crossing at the same time. Additionally, we request that new “piano key” (or diagonal) crosswalk lines be painted at the bank and shopping center parking lots ingress/egresses that crosses the trail.

Complete Streets Nora Crosswalk Westfield Blvd at 86th St
86th & Westfield Blvd – This is the main intersection between the high school / middle school campuses and central Nora / Monon Trail. We request repainting the crosswalks with the “piano key” style.

Complete Streets Nora Crosswalk 86th St at NCHS
86th St @ North Central High School – We request “piano key” style painting of the signalized crosswalks at 86th St (a main entrance to North Central HS), and adding crosswalk painting on the northside of 86th St.

nora-crosswalks-5
Westfield Blvd & YMCA/Northview Middle School – We request repainting school crosswalk and adding crosswalk across the YMCA parking lot entrance/exit.

nora-crosswalks-6
86th St & Evergreen – We request repainting crosswalks in the “piano Key” style at this busy intersection just west of the Monon Trail.

nora-crosswalks-7
86th St & Guilford – We request repainting of crosswalks at the public library with “piano key” style, with the addition of crosswalk lines on the northside of 86th St at Guilford.

Of course, maintaining existing crosswalks is just one piece of the bigger picture. Want a more walkable Nora? Join us on November 21 as we identify potential projects for the Nora community #NORA2021.

PROGRESS: College Avenue Trail

Construction is nearing completion on the College Avenue Trail! The project will provide a safe pedestrian off-street trail along this often congested section of College Avenue between 86th St. and 91st St. that currently has no sidewalks or shoulder.

Getting an off-street pedestrian trail or new sidewalks in a community can take years of hard work. Indeed, for the past 3- to 4- years several people in Nora have been advocating for an off-street trail along College Avenue between 86th Street and 91st Street. Some of the people spearheading the trail include George Robinson, former athletic director at First Baptist Church, Barry Wood, and members of Hope Church. It serves as an example of what community pro-active planning can achieve.

Early details on the project are provided by Benjamin Easley, Public Information Officer / Department of Public Works:

  • The College Avenue Trail will be an off-street asphalt trail similar to the one on 91stStreet.  The trail on 91st Street narrows down to a sidewalk at 91st/College
  • There will be a crosswalk connection at the signal at 91st/College
  • The College Ave trail will be on the west side of the road
  • There will be pedestrian signals at 86th/College as well as 91st/College

Thanks to ReBuildIndy, DPW, and all the people involved in making this trail happen.

There is a community sidewalk dedication/celebration at First Baptist Church on November 22 at 11:30 – the public is welcome!

Nora Keystone Gateway: Preliminary Design #1

This summer community members met with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) for the Nora Alliance’s first meeting to capture public input regarding Nora’s Keystone & 86th Street Gateway.

Check out the PRELIMINARY DESIGN provided by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc and CEC, Inc. We’d like to have your input!

Items discussed at July 2015 public meeting:

 Appearance of space
 Keep canopy
 Examine range of improvements
 Improve connectivity (accommodate future improvements)
 Wildflowers
 Public Art (North Central Students?)
 Clean up trash
 Improved signage
 Neighborhood identity
 Improve lines of sight
 Incorporate INDOT trees

Preliminary design preparation thoughts:

  1. Improve manicured edge/INDOT required buffer – 20’ +/‐
  2. Accommodate future pedestrian connector

‐ Maintain a 25’ +/‐ manicured edge on north and south sides of 86th Street or approximately to top of sloped concrete wall and under power lines on south side
‐ Include area between north and southbound Keystone

  1. Identify invasive species and remove including Mulberry, Hackberry, Honeysuckle, etc.
  2. Contact INDOT to discuss influencing bridge color?
  3. Clean out invasives behind northbound exit ramp guardrail

Preliminary design initial phase (2015) thoughts:

1. See attached plan

Preliminary design future phase thoughts:

  1. Investigate topography for wet areas to create streambed landscape
  2. Incorporate limestone block “welcome to Nora” signs into landscape + accent stone – walls?
  3. Upgrade guardrails to painted – black?
  4. Upgrade signals and signal poles?
  5. Wayfinding – shopping, library, park, school, etc?…there is a N.C. sign on the northbound ramp

Given the scope, this is going to be a longer term project with the hope of having some initial quick wins as the construction wraps up.

Project background:

The Keystone Avenue Bridge at 86th Street, currently under construction, serves as a gateway to the Nora community. However, the bridge, exit ramps, and surrounding land have been neglected for years, collecting trash, invasive plants, and the occasional homeless person camping out in the overgrown wooded areas. With the current construction of the Keystone Bridge, we have an opportunity to give this area a facelift. Read the post “Nora’s 86th St / Keystone Bridge Gateway Beautification Project” for more about the project’s background.

Public Meetings on Red Rapid Transit Project

IndyGo will host several public meetings where you can learn about the first phase of Red Rapid Transit Project (which is anticipated to: stretch from Broad Ripple to the University of Indianapolis), ask questions, and have your voice heard during the engineering phase. This August IndyGo representatives will be in the following locations:

  • Aug. 18 – Central Library: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
    • 40 E St. Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
    • IndyGo Routes 18, 38, & 39
  • Aug. 19 – College Avenue Branch: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
    • 4180 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205
    • IndyGo Route 17
  • Aug. 24 – Fountain Square Branch: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • 1066 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
    • IndyGo Routes 12, 14, & 22
  • Aug. 26 – Indianapolis Art Center: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    • 820 E 67th St., Indianapolis, IN 46220
    • IndyGo Route 18
  • Aug. 27 – IUPUI Campus Center: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
    • 420 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202
    • IndyGo Routes 3, 37, & 50
Nora Alliance July 2015 meeting with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

Nora Keystone Gateway: 1st Meeting with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

On July 20th, community members met with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) for the Nora Alliance’s first meeting regarding Nora’s Keystone & 86th Street Gateway. This is a summary of that meeting, and invitation for continued public input.

The Keystone Avenue Bridge at 86th Street, currently under construction, serves as a gateway to the Nora community. However, the bridge, exit ramps, and surrounding land have been neglected for years, collecting trash, invasive plants, and the occasional homeless person camping out in the overgrown wooded areas. With the current construction of the Keystone Bridge, we have an opportunity to give this area a facelift. Read the post “Nora’s 86th St / Keystone Bridge Gateway Beautification Project” for more about the project’s background.

KIB’s Mark Adler, Janet Baker, and planner David Roth led the group in a review of the Keystone Bridge construction and opportunities for a beautification project. Mark Adler presented information on the current conditions of the interchange and construction (scheduled for completion in the late fall 2015), followed by an open discussion. Here’s what we heard:

Opportunities
  • current construction remediation requires tree replacement, but without maintenance plans — this is an opportunity to segue with a beautification project and community-driven design
  • community desire to preserve existing tree canopy for noise reduction and wildlife
  • public art – look at concepts and location within the interchange
  • create vegetated edge plantings
  • reduce or eliminate mowings with native platings wildflowers and tall grasses
  • improved signage for the interchange
  • plan / public art that embraces the strengths and weaknesses of the interchange (e.g., power line structures, the community history)
Concerns
  • homelessness, pan handlers and drug use are past and/or current issue
  • open up line of sight at ramp exits / lights
  • honeysuckle in the area (invasive species)
  • traffic noise affecting nearby residential
  • soil may be compressed in construction staging areas
  • don’t create any plans that preclude a future sidewalk / bike path under Keystone Bridge
  • need more community input on gateway concept – gateway to where? Nora community / neighborhoods (west)? Keystone businesses (east)?
Next Steps

KIB, with planner David Roth, will take the feedback they’ve gathered during this first meeting and put together some preliminary plans for the interchange. Within the next few weeks, the Nora Alliance will schedule a second public meeting to present and provide further input to the plans. With plans in hand, KIB will work with the community to identify funding for the project implementation and maintenance.

We welcome continued feedback during this process! If you would like to provide additional input while the plans are being developed, please contact Mark Adler, KIB Director of Special Projects.