16 INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL CENTER PLAN 2020 PLANNING DOWNTOWN�fS FUTURE TODAY ENJOYING DOWNTOWN 2.  TOURISM, CONVENTIONS, CONVENTION FACILITIES AND HOTELS The Regional Center has nine major sports complexes, the Indiana Convention Center, 32 hotels or inns, six shopping destinations, government/banks and other services. There is an extensive skywalk system that links eight of the hotels to the Indiana Convention Center and Circle Centre.  The Regional Center has such diverse attractions as Circle Centre, Crackers Comedy Club, the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, historic Central Canal, Firefighters Museum, Indiana Historical Society, USS Indianapolis National Memorial, Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, Crispus Attucks Museum, James Whitcomb Riley House, NCAA Hall of Champions, RCA Dome, National Museum of Art and Sport, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Madame Walker Theatre Center, Hilbert Circle Theatre, Phoenix Theatre and Monument Circle. GOAL 2 Continue to make the necessary improvements in the Regional Center that enhance Downtown's ability to attract visitors and other users. OBJECTIVES ·  Conventions  Expand and develop the Indianapolis convention capacity and convention related services to (1) meet the needs of convention goers, (2) provide convention goers with a positive experience, (3) increase the city's competitive edge in the Nation, (4) create a compact critical mass of facilities and (5) provide for economic growth of the region. ·  Marketing  Market Regional Center tourism, convention, hotel and convention facilities. ·  Maintenance and Image  Maintain the image of the Regional Center as being very clean with well maintained landscape areas. ·  Entertainment  Increase the types of entertainment and leisure activities necessary to attract more people and a wide variety of users to the Downtown. See page 78 for projects and programs related to the topics of tourism, conventions, convention facilities and hotels. 3.  RECREATION The Regional Center has 11 attraction, entertainment, recreation and winery destinations; 24 memorials; parks and gardens; and three movie complexes. GOAL 3 Ensure that there are a broad range of recreational opportunities in the Regional Center to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. OBJECTIVES ·  Recreation Variety  Promote a broad range of recreational activities and facilities in the area for people of all abilities and ages in order to offer opportunities to visitors, residents and workers in Downtown. ·  Marketing  Market Regional Center recreational facilities. See page 79 for projects and programs related to the topic of recreation. 4.  SHOPPING AND DINING There are more than 200 eating and drinking establishments and more than 200 retail stores in the Downtown.  A recent listing of ethnic restaurants in the Indianapolis area shows 56 ethnic restaurants in the Regional Center, with the biggest concentration being at the City Market. GOAL 4 Ensure that the development of shopping and dining opportunities remains a vital part of growth in the Regional Center. OBJECTIVES ·  Unique Shopping and Dining  Continue to develop and support new and unique shopping and restaurant opportunities in the Regional Center so that the Downtown is attractive and meets the needs of visitors, residents and workers. ·  Marketing  Market Regional Center shopping and dining facilities. See page 79 for projects and programs related to the topic of shopping and dining. 5.  SPORTS The Regional Center has Conseco Fieldhouse (Pacers, Fever, Firebirds), IU Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium, Indiana University Natatorium, Indiana/World Skating Academy, Indianapolis Tennis Center, National Institute for Fitness and Sport, RCA Dome (Colts) and Victory Field (Indians).  Immediately adjacent to the Regional Center is Kuntz Stadium (Blast). GOAL 5 Ensure that sports remain a major priority in the development of the Regional Center. OBJECTIVES ·  Sports Venues  Continue to support a range of spectator sports in the Regional Center, so that the city remains competitive. ·  Marketing  Market Regional Center sports facilities. See page 80 for projects and programs related to the topic of sports. Victory Field Concept sketch from Regional Center South Urban Design Workshop of River District containing shops, restaurants, entertainment and nightlife developed in reused industrial buildings