Nora Alliance | Nora Alliance

City leaders and bicycle advocates celebrate

Nora Trail Commitment

June 28, 2025

Nora receives great news in May.

Monon Bridge over 86th Street – $7,081,600

The project will provide a fully separated pedestrian crossing for users of the Monon Trail to cross 86th Street. The project aims to enhance safety in the pedestrian and bike network and reduce potential points of conflict between vehicular users and pedestrians and cyclists. This project will receive federal funding for construction in 2030.

More, from the city release:

INDIANAPOLIS – On Wednesday, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) presented a check for $35,507,485 to the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW). The funds will be used to help build bridges, roundabouts, trails and other enhancements in Indianapolis.

“Each and every year, our team is thorough in tracking down every creative funding source available to help bring transformative projects to fruition in our city,” said Indy DPW Director Todd Wilson. “With the help of the IMPO, we’re excited to be able to build these projects for our residents.”

As part of an annual funding process, Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) engineers submitted projects for consideration by the IMPO, which is responsible for planning and programming regional transportation funds in the eight-county Central Indiana region. Each proposal utilized a data-driven application and committed a local funding portion of the overall project cost.

“The IMPO is proud to partner with the City of Indianapolis to invest in infrastructure that improves mobility, safety, and quality of life for residents across the region,” said Anna Gremling, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization. “By supporting projects like new pedestrian bridges, roundabouts, and trail enhancements, we’re helping communities move forward with thoughtful, data-driven improvements that reflect the needs and values of the people they serve.”

Among the projects selected for funding is a new separated pedestrian crossing over 86th Street for Monon Trail users in the Nora area. Indy DPW unsuccessfully sought outside funding on multiple occasions to help make this project feasible. With this funding commitment, Indy DPW will now be able to make a long-sought request of the community a reality.

“The Monon Trail is one of our city’s greatest community assets, and this new pedestrian bridge over 86th Street will significantly improve safety and accessibility for trail users,” said Councilor Brienne Delaney. “This investment reflects our commitment to intentional infrastructure that enhances quality of life for residents in Nora and beyond.”

Information on more Indy DPW projects can be found on the city’s website at www.indy.gov/dpwprojects

We will post events on this site and at our Facebook page.

Indiana’s Best Tacos? Nora. IYKYK

September 26, 2024

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Indiana’s Best Tacos? Look for the sign that says, “Chris’ Ice Cream.”

Read all about it in this piece from Axios. As the kids say, “If you know, you know.”

Yes, there’s many a fine taco in this town (and state), and Chris’ Ice Cream has got em beat. Yelp gives em #1. Yeah Nora!

https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/09/25/indiana-best-taco-yelp-chris-ice-cream-mexican-food

Photo: M. Petrison on Google Maps

Tactical Urbanism Project – Sign Up!

June 6, 2024

Interested in volunteering for tactical urbanism and clean-up of 86th and Monon Crossing?

Diagram of the intersection at 86th and Monon Trail.

Between June 14 and the end of the month, there are opportunities to do just that. Please sign up here to volunteer. If you’d like more detail on the project, visit this page on Bicycle Garage Indy’s site or our previous post on the topic.

Are you interested in the long-term prospects of this crossing that might include a bridge or tunnel?

There are two ways to support – Organizations can send a letter of support and individuals can sign onto to a Letter of Support.

Thanks for your interest!

Bridge or Tunnel Comment: Time-Sensitive 3/17

March 17, 2024

The IndyMPO recently publicized a listing of recommended projects for 2027 and although the City of Indianapolis applied for funding for a bridge at Monon & 86th St., it was not recommended for funding. Public comment is open 3/18/24 until 5 pm.

Details below on how to provide public comment.

Suggested talking points:

1. Monon & 86th is one of the busiest intersections along the entire greenway system with 35K motor vehicles/day and more than 1 million trail users a year.

2. There have been 2 fatalities at this intersection in 2021 and 2 bicyclists were hit just 10 days ago (March 2, 2024) at this intersection.

3. A non-at-grade crossing (bridge or tunnel) is needed as soon as possible so more people don’t get hit/injured/killed.

4. A citizen-led traffic study found the following when analyzing 5 hours of non-overlapping video:

40 Crosswalk Encroachment (vehicles blocking crosswalk)
86 Right Turn on Red / 1 Left Turn on Red
11 Red Light Running
21 Multiple people using crosswalk simultaneously
2 gridlock in intersection
6 Other incidents including one near-collision of two cars

5. The 86th Street and Monon Trailway intersection continues to be a crash-prone crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists. This specific intersection has led to many near-misses, crashes, injuries and even deaths. The fatal bicycle crashes in 2021 were not isolated cases but a symptom of a larger problem that needs immediate attention. We cannot afford any more losses due to inadequate safety measures at this intersection.

6. A bridge at this location is long overdue. Please recommend it for funding in 2027.

Recommended Projects Funding Review & Comment Opportunity
The IMPO recently hosted a call for projects and accepted applications to fund projects that will go to construction no later than June 2027. After reviewing, scoring, and ranking 66 applications the IMPO is recommending 17 projects from 8 local public agencies totaling $60.6M in funding.

The IMPO is asking for comments on these project recommendations. Your comments will inform IMPO as they formalize this recommendation. Comments will also be made available to the Transportation Technical and Transportation Policy Committee members before those committees consider formally adopting these projects into the TIP. Typically, these projects are still in early stages of design and development. Your comments can also help inform design choices made by the local agency as they move forward with the project. Comments about the design of recommended projects will be passed on to the relevant agency.

{{Nora Alliance and Bicycle Garage are working with DPW to finalize commitments for a “Tactical Urbanism” project at 86th and the Monon Trail. This is a demonstration project (updating, temporarily, markings, art and signage) to address the safety challenges of the surface crossing at 86th and the Monon.}}

Comments or questions are encouraged to be submitted by email to , by mail to 200 East Washington Street, Suite 2322, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or by phone to our voicemail line at 317-327-8601. For alternative formats, translation services, or accommodation needs for persons with disabilities, or to view documents in person at our offices please contact us. Comments are due Monday, March 18 at 5:00pm.

Recommend Projects List and Summary

Indianapolis Neighborhood Infrastructure Partnership (INIP) Grant

December 6, 2022

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

Safety at 86th and Monon. Grants awarded.

November 22, 2022

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. This was followed by a early 2023 grant from the Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA).

Sign a petition to advocate for a safer crossing at 86th and the Monon Trail.

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:

Design and execution assistance (Winter 2023, Spring 2024)
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 2024)
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.

Nora Center Work Group Comments on Car Wash Proposal

September 9, 2020

At a meeting hosted by Nora Community Council and attended by Nora Alliance President, James Williams, representatives from Crew Car Wash presented a proposal for a car wash to be located in Nora at the current Steak’n Shake located at 86th & Westfield.

We have completed our review of the preliminary proposal and conclude that a car wash at this location is inconsistent with the Nora 2021 Community Plan and is an excluded use in the Marion County Land Use Plan under the Village Mixed-Use typology with Town Center overlay. Put plainly, a car wash does not fit within the planning regimes for our community. The Nora Alliance, therefore, cannot welcome the proposed development in the Nora Center area.

The mission of Nora Alliance (a group of neighbors and businesses) is “to support and encourage a spirit of community cooperation in Nora Center to promote strong amenities, connected people, and a vibrant built environment.” A portion of the work we’ve done in collaboration with neighbors, business and city planners is to consider Nora in the context of the city’s comprehensive plan, and to overlay a plan generated by Nora Alliance and our neighbors, Nora 2021.

The plans mentioned here help guide our discussion of projects of significant community impact. With regard to the proposed car wash, we sent a letter, copied to neighborhood groups and city officials, to Crew to express our viewpoints on the proposal. It can be viewed here.

Proposed transportation complex to replace soccer fields at 91st & College

December 7, 2019

Washington Township Schools is considering a plan to develop an Operations Service Center at the southwest corner of 91st Street and College Avenue. The land is currently the site of 10 soccer fields utilized by Dynamo FC.

The planned development would consolidate a number of district-wide functions into a single location. The complex would include facilities for parking, maintenance, and fueling of buses and other district vehicles, training facilities and offices for the district police department, offices for various other support functions, and storage warehouses for district property and equipment.

The project would be part of a $285 million capital referendum to be placed on the May 2020 ballot along with a $128 million operating referendum, if approved by the school board. For more details, view the WTS presentation from the November 13 school board meeting.

The Washington Township School Board will hold a second hearing and vote on these referenda at the school board meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 6 PM at the H. Dean Evans Community and Education Center located at 8550 Woodfield Crossing Blvd. As the proposed development has the potential to significantly alter the character of the surrounding area, the Nora Alliance encourages all interested residents to attend and participate in the school board meeting. It is our understanding there will be an opportunity for public comment.

Sidewalk between Ironworks developments and Keystone Crossing available for use

July 24, 2018

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 86^thStreet. 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 1^stfloor, 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.

public art mural on train conductor phone booth Nora Indianapolis Indiana Nora Alliance Monon Trail

Mural on Conductor’s Phone Booth

July 24, 2018

The Conductor’s Phone Booth is a touch of railroad history tucked away on the Monon Trail in Nora. Back when the trains used to run (way before cell phones!) they used to stop here and call ahead to let the next station know they were on their way. The trains are gone, but this well-built concrete phone booth remains. It was manufactured by Permacrete – the company that made many of the telephone booths for railroads.

Today, thanks to many volunteer hours, the phone booth sports a nature-inspired mural. It’s the inaugural artwork this summer as the Nora Alliance Monon Trail Workgroup slowly develops Nora Corners Pocket Park for the community to enjoy.