urbanOut

The recent news that Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis is getting an extreme makeover and turning large portions of its right-of way over to the pedestrian is the latest example of Indianapolis taking positive steps in turning their downtown into a more pedestrian friendly environment.  Taken together, the Cultural Trail, the pedestrianizing of Monument Circle, and the Georgia Street makeover prove that Indianapolis is on the forefront of the pedestrianization acceleration movement sweeping across the United States.  New York has their Times Square, San Francisco has their Pavement to Parks initiative, and Indianapolis too has a collection of projects that rival what’s happening on the Coast’s. 

I have to say, I am a huge fan of the Georgia Street design.  Click here to see the design details, completed by the local firm Ratio.  The idea isn’t something I had ever thought of or heard anyone talk about, so when the news broke on Tuesday, I was pleasantly surprised.  And when the renderings came out later that night, I became excited and surprised at the City’s continued bold moves to ready themselves for the 2012 Super Bowl.  Below are the reasons why I ultimately love this idea and the design:

• Creates significantly more space for pedestrians;
• The new driving lanes are narrow (9.5 feet) forcing slow traffic;
• The design is unique for Indianapolis, raising the bar for future urban designs;
• The design creates much-needed public space on the south side of downtown;
• Connects two important nodes – the Convention Center and Conseco Fieldhouse;
• Unique (and expensive) materials are being utilized, namely Ipe Wood; 
• On-street parking is located on the inside of the travel lanes.  This is a unique design feature while still protecting the pedestrian from car travel; 
• Modern, appropriately designed signage – the new signs look like an iPod which is a cool feature;
• The use of the Meridian Street mast arms is great and the installation of overhead wires strung across the pedestrian plazas will provide great ambiance; and
• The graphic presentation is effective, easy to read for the most part, and visually striking.  Well done Ratio.

There is really only one feature, or lack thereof, that bothers me about this project.  As the design currently stands, there is no connection to Pan Am Plaza, which directly abuts Georgia Street.  I am sure this is intentional; as the word on the street is that the City wants to develop the Plaza into an office tower or two.  I think this is a mistake and a missed opportunity, as the Pan Am Plaza could be incorporated nicely into the Georgia Street makeover, providing much-needed public space for the south side of downtown.  For this to happen, the ice skating rink and associated building has got to go.  Also, the building along Capitol Street needs reworked so retail and restaurants can locate there and spill out onto the new Plaza.  Finally, the entire Plaza needs to be lowered so it is flush with the sidewalks of Illinois and Georgia, visually and spatially connecting the space to the new and improved Georgia Street.  If these designs ideas are implemented in accordance with the Georgia Street makeover, a truly great public space could be created.  But considering construction is slated to start later this year, it looks like this is a bit of a missed opportunity for the City. 

I’m definitely not complaining though, as I think the concept, policy, and implementation of this project is right on and I am excited to see what it eventually looks like.  But I think what I am most interested in is the fact that Indianapolis is truly on the forefront of the pedestrianization acceleration taking over the country.  In fact, I think the City is presently doing more in this regard than anywhere else in the Midwest.  So they deserve to be commended in my opinion.  Cities like Cincinnati and Columbus need to be paying attention to what Indianapolis and others are doing, notice the trends, and act quickly to ensure they aren’t once again left behind in the next wave of progressive urban policy.  Clearly, Indianapolis won’t.        

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