Indianapolis, Indiana – This month, drivers might choose to take one final spin around the Circle.
According to the municipal government, the experiment that will restrict traffic on a stretch of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis starting next month may result in a ban on automobiles circling the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.
The Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development’s director, Rusty Carr, stated that “closing this portion of the Circle is a pilot, this is an experiment” and if it is successful the city may consider closing the circle to traffic completely.
I-Team 8 was informed by a representative of the mayor’s office that closing and remodeling the Circle will cost $750,000. After July 4, “Road Closed” signs should start appearing.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said, “From July 8 to Nov. 2, the southwest quarter of Monument Circle will transform into a pedestrian-only parkway.”
Hilbert Circle Theatre, AES Indiana offices, a bank, a candy shop, and a sandwich shop are all located in this area of the Circle.
According to the Democratic mayor’s vision for Monument Circle, an artist’s rendering had the bricks covered in artificial turf and a temporary path or sidewalk flowing across the center of the street. The initiative is referred to by the mayor as a “spark festival” on the Circle.
According to the mayor, the modification “allows any visitor to enjoy art, live music, shade, food, drink, and more.”
At a time when the neighborhood has experienced its fair share of problems, Hogsett thinks that closing a piece of the Circle will draw larger audiences back to the downtown area.
The Metropolitan Development director said, “We are bringing positive activity, positive day and night activity here that will really deter some of that negative activity.”
Over the weekend, a 13-year-old boy and a 16-year-old female attacked a Rocket Fizz candy store employee. In order to look into reports of theft and burglary, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was called to this store for the seventh time since February.
Despite the sad candy store event, Hogsett assured that IMPD will always have an officer on the Circle throughout the program. He also mentioned a collaboration with Downtown Indy Inc., a charity. “The truth is, downtown is incredibly safe, and we continue to invest in public safety outreach, IMPD presence, public safety ambassadors, safety cleanliness, and accessibility,” said Downtown Indy and IMPD.
The closure of the southwest corner of Monument Circle will be paid for by the city using what is known as “the visitor tax” and a percentage of the food and beverage tax collected in downtown Mile Square.
Georgia Street, which was originally constructed for guests before to the Super Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2012, will be renovated by the local government. The first block of the street just east of the Convention Center is supposed to be permanently closed off. Pan Am Plaza and St. John the Evangelist Church are located on that street.
The Indianapolis City-County Council decided to invest $625 million in bonds on Monday to finance the construction of a big hotel to replace Pan Am Plaza.
