12 INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL CENTER PLAN 2020 PLANNING DOWNTOWN�fS FUTURE TODAY PLANNING PROCESS REGIONAL CENTER FORUMS Two major initiatives paralleled the development of the RCP: the Indianapolis Cultural Tourism Initiative and BioCrossroads- Central Indiana Life Science Network.  Because both of these initiatives impact Downtown, plan partners organized two public forums designed to understand and incorporate the work of each initiative into the overall framework of the RCP.   The two forums also provided a chance to cross- pollinate all of the "people-use" committees. LIFE SCIENCES INITIATIVE FORUM The Regional Center Life Sciences Initiative Forum, held March 18, 2003 featured the unveiling of a draft plan for a life sciences research community in Downtown's northwest quadrant by consulting group Beyer Blinder Belle.  More than 125 committee members and other members of the public attended to see how plans for a research community including institutional, research, residential, transportation and park uses were progressing.  BioCrossroads- Central Indiana Life Science Network is a collaborative effort of Eli Lilly and Company, Indiana University, Purdue University, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the City of Indianapolis.  A major physical component of the initiative is a life sciences district Downtown to build off of the presence of existing research and health industry leaders like IUPUI, IU Medical School, Clarian Health and Eli Lilly and Company. Key features of the plan unveiled include three districts in Downtown's northwest quadrant: the Stadium Drive area, the north end of the historic Central Canal and the area south of Methodist Hospital all within the Regional Center planning boundaries.  With up to 15.6 million square feet of development capacity, the research community represents a tremendous potential investment in the Downtown area.  Other features of the plan include mixed-use development, up to 31,000 structured parking spaces, additional housing, new parks, extension of the People Mover and significant water supply infrastructure changes CULTURAL TOURISM INITIATIVE FORUM The Regional Center Cultural Tourism Initiative Forum, held April 22, 2003, featured presentations that connected two major Cultural Tourism Initiative projects a Public Art Master Plan and the Cultural Districts Program with a proposal under study by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization for a Downtown greenway, the Cultural Trail.  Over 150 committee members and the interested public attended the forum at the Indiana History Center. The Cultural Tourism Initiative is designed to help improve the quality of life for Indianapolis residents and enhance visitors' experience by capitalizing on the city's cultural amenities and attributes.  The Initiative, at the time of the plan, had undertaken two major program areas: a Public Art Master Plan and a Cultural Districts Program.  By cataloging existing public art, identifying potential locations for new art, suggesting a structure and administration for a public art program and identifying potential funding resources, the Public Art Master Plan will support the city's efforts to make art more accessible in the lives of residents and visitors.  The Cultural District Program seeks to further enhance and develop five distinct cultural pockets of activity, three of which are located in the Regional Center: Historic Central Canal and White River State Park, Mass Ave and the Wholesale District. The Metropolitan Planning Organization is studying the feasibility of a Downtown hub greenway known as the Cultural Trail.  The proposed trail will link the Downtown's newly designated cultural districts with a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian path system through and around Downtown.  It represents a convergence of the Cultural Tourism Initiative, the successful Indy Parks Greenways program and the Metropolitan Planning Organization's planning for a walkable and bicycle-friendly community. Regional Center Plan Committee Structure