14 INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL CENTER PLAN 2020 PLANNING DOWNTOWN�fS FUTURE TODAY ENJOYING DOWNTOWN Hall, theaters, display areas, Hall of Honor, the Gymnasium, gift shop and the Wrap-Around Video Wall.  The Indiana State Museum is the latest addition to White River State Park.  The $105 million, 270,000 square foot facility is one of the largest state museums in the nation and includes Indiana's only IMAX theater, a replica limestone quarry and provides a home for more than half a million artifacts.  The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum was opened in 1999 beneath the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle.  The $1.5 million museum contains Civil War artifacts and stories from Indiana's Civil War soldiers. The prominence of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Circle is evidence that memorials have always held a prominent place in the Downtown.  Among recent additions to the list of Downtown memorials are the USS Indianapolis Memorial, Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial and the Indiana Law Enforcement and Firefighters Memorial Following is a list of topics that the Committee emphasized in all of its discussions: ·  Support of Existing Facilities  It is essential that existing facilities not be undermined by new development.  Any new development should enhance the existing base. ·  Arts and Culture  Arts and culture are both very important to the vitality of the Regional Center.  Proposed projects, such as the Cultural Districts Program and the proposed Cultural Trail are key components to the future of the Downtown. ·  Conventions and Tourism  Conventions and tourism play a major role in the life of the Regional Center.  The city needs to continue strategic planning to be competitive in these areas. ·  Facility Programming and Audience Development  Consideration needs to be given to enhanced or increased programming for Downtown facilities to ensure that they are used to their peak capacity.  More emphasis should be given to attracting and retaining audiences for Downtown facilities. ·  Diversity  It is very desirable that the Regional Center serve and appeal to a very diverse audience.  Hospitality attractions, including restaurants, entertainment and recreation, should be diverse in terms of affordability and offerings. ·  Housing  The Regional Center needs to have a significant increase in resident population to help support existing facilities and add vitality to the area. ·  Marketing and Cross-Promotion   Marketing of existing facilities is very important.  More cross-promotion of facilities is desirable.  Marketing and promotion are key to audience/user development of convention facilities, arts and cultural venues, entertainment facilities, sports and recreation facilities, festivals, other events, shopping and dining. ·  Compact Core and Ease of Circulation   The compact core of convention and tourism facilities is responsible for much of the success of Indianapolis as a destination.   As new developments occurs, it needs to occur adjacent to existing facilities or be connected to these facilities through transit links.  Enhancing the ability for users of Downtown facilities to get to and circulate between facilities is very important for increasing the amount of users of these facilities. ·  Landscaping and Facility Maintenance Attention needs to remain focused on coordinating and providing routine maintenance of Downtown sidewalks, landscaping and facilities to ensure that Downtown remains attractive and functional. TOPICS This Enjoying Downtown section covers the following topics: 1.  Arts 2.  Tourism, Conventions, Convention Facilities and Hotels 3.  Recreation 4.  Shopping and Dining 5.  Sports MAP E-1 LEGEND Hotels Sports Venues Museums and Historic Sites Parks and Memorials Government, Banks and Other Services Parking Potential Cultural Trail Source: Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. Trails Performing Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Shopping and Movie Theaters Cultural District 1.  ARTS There are 48 arts organizations/venues, 20 museums and historic sites, 16 galleries and 10 performing arts theaters in the Regional Center.   GOAL 1 Ensure that development of arts and culture remains a major initiative in the Regional Center. OBJECTIVES ·  Arts and Culture Venues  Continue to support and develop arts and cultural venues and districts in the Regional Center not only to make the area attractive to visitors, residents and workers, but also to encourage economic development. ·  Marketing  Market Regional Center arts and cultural facilities and events. See page 77 for projects and programs related to the topic of the arts. NCAA Hall of Champions