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Plan Committees: Economic Development

Committee Description

In the early days of Irvington, economic opportunities were provided by the business district located on Audubon Road. In addition, North Western Christian University (now Butler University) played an important role in providing jobs in the neighborhood. Housing was built near the university for faculty and staff. Once the university left, job growth occurred at the manufacturing facilities in the southern portion of the neighborhood.

Neighborhood commercial is still provided in the neighborhood mainly on Washington Street and at Irvington Plaza. Washington Square, which is further east on Washington Street, is a regional shopping center serving the neighborhood. Washington Square and the surrounding area have been losing commercial establishments.

The original town covenants prohibit alcohol sales. This has been a controversial topic in the community.

In October of 2003, the Irvington Development Organization and the Irvington Historical Society sponsored the Irvington Washington Street Corridor Project. The purpose of this project was to develop a streetscape plan for the corridor.

Possible Topics:

  • How can the economic development aspects Pennsy Trail be maximized to best benefit the community?

  • How can new development be attracted to vacant and underutilized commercial spaces in the community?

  • How can it be ensured that new development will be compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood?
     

 
 
 


The Irvington Neighborhood Plan is sponsored by the City of Indianapolis with assistance provided by the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC) and Ball State University's College of Architecture and Planning Indianapolis Center (CAP:IC).
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