Prospect and State

Took advantage of the great weather on Friday to visit one of my favorite corners in town.

Southwest:

Southeast:

Northwest:

Northeast:

More perspectives on the corners:

Some nice tiled details:

The saloon is on the National Register:

Hope the bar can get back in business:

Amazing Oblique Image Circa 1933

Found on this thread on Skyscraper City. I'm not sure if I've seen a picture from this era with better detail or as wide of a scope.

Binford and 71st: looking to add density?

Here's an intriguing presentation by Schneider Engineering and the MPO. I believe that shifting the development away from Binford Avenue and towards Graham Road is an elegant solution that could be attained with less headaches and cost. If this proposal ever sees the light of day, I wonder if it would be the first attempt at urbanizing a currently car-based intersection in Indianapolis that lies beyond the old city limits. I know of one somewhat similar project in the city of Lawrence. If anybody here knows of any others, please mention this in the comments.

Diverse Corners

One of the more interesting and exciting aspects to city living is noticing a place where people from disparate backgrounds can gather in close geographic proximity. This happens often downtown, of course. However, there are two corners that I have visited recently where this dichotomy has been quite noticeable.

The first is 38th and Illinois. I was there last weekend for a friend's baby shower and concert at the Melody Inn (one of the best concert venues in town). Across the street is a store-front church. The church was hosting a party attended by many young men and women, which I believes speaks to the lack of actual entertainment venues available to minorities in the inner city. The Urbanophile speaks on race relations much more eloquently than I can, so I will leave my commentary on the issue there.

The second is 49th and College. The corner has been targeted as the next College Avenue node to become revitalized. I visited the new Upland Tasting Room, which is a unique concept that discourages over-consumption and lingering, because the space is minuscule. After the sampling, I crossed the street to eat at Just Wing-N It, located in an old KFC. The restaurant, along with the Bottle Shop and barber across the street, are the last hangouts for minorities on the corner. I certainly hope that if the corner is "the next College Avenue node" that the current residents and patrons will continue to feel welcome.

Health By Design and Project for Public Spaces: Inspiring Collaboration

Last night I attended the event titled Neighborhoods: Inspiring Place, Improving Health that featured Ethan Kent from Project for Public Spaces. Mr. Kent made a fine presentation, but the real star of the evening was the collaboration that took place afterwards regarding several key issues that are facing Indianapolis, such as transportation, crime, and sprawl. I was inspired to work on making this blog more social and to encourage other people to contribute to it (not just comment, but post content). I obviously don't know everything that is going on in Indy, and adding more voices could make this blog more dynamic. I'm looking forward to hearing from the group that I met at the event, and hopefully they will feel comfortable in this setting.

Indy's Car-based Development History claims another victim

An interesting aside has been posted on the Cultural Trail thread on the Skyscraper City forum. Apparently the Trailside proposal is being stalled due to concerns over the parking situation. Poster Ablerock makes a keen observation when he mentions that the businesses in that section have complained for years about their lack of visibility, yet when a proposal comes along to increase the neighborhood's density, they automatically fear the impact from the apartment dweller's automobiles.

After viewing the proposal, it looks like a building that would be a decent addition. The scale would not be out of place with the surrounding neighborhood. I believe opposition to the project is a function of our city's history of catering to car-based development. Residents and businesses want more people there. But they don't want their cars. And really, who can blame them?

The true irony is that if more proposals such as the Trailside were built, a decent number of people who live in these apartments might not need to actually own a car. But we'll never know if we don't at least attempt it.

Update on the 22nd and Monon area

Smart Growth Indy recently held a community workshop regarding the area near 22nd and the Monon Trail. They have posted this neighborhood restoration guide. This project has the potential to be a model for other similar areas around the city, similar to the way that we can now point to Fall Creek Place as a reasonable success.

East Market Street: Reopened

On Thursday, I revisited East Market Street, as the project had been completed. I started at East Street and walked towards the Holy Cross Neighborhood. Heidelberger Papers beat me to the punch in posting this, but the more the merrier, I say.

I like the benches and even the trash cans. The lamps don't excite me much.

I love that the ivy on this building is completely red:

Intersection with Park:

Intersection with College, featuring new planters:
Planter close-up:

Newly painted railroad bridge:

Break on through, to the other side. The other side in this case meaning the other side of the Interstate. Intersection with Pine:

This neat house on East Market is now connected with downtown in a much more direct fashion:

I walked a block north and wondered if Ohio Street would be next to be connected:

I had no idea this stunner existed just outside of downtown. It's the headquarters for Circle City Fencing:

Condo Project that looks stalled. Another surprise building for me:

Finally, I love the curved front of this structure at Ohio and Pine: