It is encouraged that project participants visit Indianapolis at least a handful of times during the semester for site tours, “client” meetings, and presentations. A CAP:IC exhibit at the completion of the project is also highly desirable.
 

Mass Ave Mixed-Use Redevelopment
This project involves transforming a historic art-deco Coca-Cola bottling complex currently home to the Indianapolis Public Schools bus facility into a mixed-use development. Located at the northern end of Massachusetts Avenue, a cultural district known for its Main Street flavor and mix of retail, art galleries, theaters and housing, this complex could become an exciting mixed-use redevelopment. While the project is hypothetical, numerous plans and organizations envision such a development occurring. The project should involve the Riley Area Redevelopment Corporation and address the goals established by several existing plans for the area.

Greenways Expansion
This project would explore a potential “second generation” greenway development in Indianapolis. While the initial plan for the Indianapolis Greenways system is years away from completion, the system has already proven very popular and the City continue to aggressively implement the plan. This project would look at existing railroad and other public right-of-way corridors and examine their potential use for greenways. It would also examine how such corridors could become multi-modal and incorporate a trail with a rapid transit line or dedicated bus line. It should also examine greenway amenities and focus on the development of a greenway system as a transportation alternative and not simply a recreational trail. This project is hypothetical and should involve Indy Parks and Greenways and address goals established in several existing plans.

East Washington Street Redevelopment
This flexible project would redevelop the corner of Washington Street and Pennsylvania Street in Downtown Indianapolis. The corner is currently home to 3 older buildings and a newer building ranging in height from 1 to 3 stories. Most are currently not well maintained and all upper floors are vacant. The project could look at new development or at renovation, or a mix of both. The program is also flexible, but the site is located between two mid-rise towers. This project is hypothetical.

Public Infrastructure as Public Art
This project would examine how works of public infrastructure, such as bridges, sidewalks, streets, lighting can incorporate public art or themselves be public art. This project could be generic or site-specific. Consideration should be given to illustrating cost-effective alternatives to conventional public works and might involve case study research. This project is hypothetical and should involve the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission and the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

Multi-Modal Transportation Downtown
This project would examine the public right-of-way in Downtown Indianapolis and how the automobile, pedestrians, bicycles, and rapid transit can best share this limited resource. Focus should be given to the urban design of this right-of-way and how future investments in transportation (which may include the Cultural Trail, elevated people mover, bus rapid transit, and/or light rail) can best be integrated into the urban fabric. The short- and long-term impact on traffic congestion should also be studied as Indianapolis has recently been declared a non-attainment area for EPA air quality standards. This project is hypothetical but addresses current studies and plans, and should involve the City of Indianapolis.

Fall Creek Place 2
This project would examine locations in Indianapolis for the application of the Fall Creek Place redevelopment model. Fall Creek Place is an award-winning redevelopment area just north of Downtown that is well on its way to building 300 new owner-occupied homes in an area once plagued with crime and a very high rate of vacant lots and abandoned homes. The project would use GIS information to select potential areas suitable for such a model and could possibly develop a conceptual master plan. This project is hypothetical and should involve discussions with the City of Indianapolis and Mansur Development.

Downtown Interstate Master Plan
This project would examine how the inner-loop freeway (Interstates 65 and 70) in Downtown Indianapolis could be transformed from a typical barren highway into a welcoming parkway. The Regional Center Plan calls for the extensive landscaping of the Downtown interstates, but this project would also examine creative lighting, median treatments, sound barriers, hardscape elements and more to create a highway unlike any other. This project is hypothetical and should involve the City of Indianapolis and Indiana Department of Transportation.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail: Interstate Gap Park Proposal
A spatial gap along the proposed Cultural Trail (an urban greenway) bridges the interstate between Downtown and the Fountain Square Cultural District. It has potential as a mid point viewport of the downtown skyline, a mitigation of an interstate barrier between neighborhoods, and a “found” open space. This project could be a part of the “Interstate Master Plan” project above. The student team on this project would perform as a Virtual Subconsultant to Storrow Kinsella Associates, planning and design consultant to Indianapolis for the proposed Indianapolis Cultural Trail. SKA would mentor the process from contract RFP through presentation to City officials and Neighborhood groups. The project would creates an understanding of the contract development process, public process, integration of public open space, public art, interpretation and wayfinding within a regional and local multi-modal transportation framework as well as introducing the concept of Context Sensitive Design. While hypothetical, this project would provide critical design input into the Cultural Trail proposal that has received unanimous support. More information on the proposal can be found at www.indyculturaltrail.info and on the Storrow Kinsella Associates website at www.storrowkinsella.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. Street Redevelopment
This project would build on a CAP:IC-sponsored urban design workshop that proposed new mixed-use development along this major corridor through the United Northwest Area neighborhood, a distressed, predominantly African-American neighborhood northwest of Downtown. A variety of projects could be done, ranging from infill mixed-use buildings to streetscape enhancements to the development of a “memorial celebration corridor” concept that would celebrate the life of Dr. King and African-American culture in general. The project should work with the United Northwest Area Development Corporation and build on workshop information. This project is hypothetical.