INDIANAPOLIS — On Thursday, Downtown Indy, Inc. and other city/community leaders shared the latest trends and information regarding the strength of Downtown Indianapolis during the 2022 State of Downtown.
According to Downtown Indy, Inc., the economy downtown is helping support the entire county's overall tax base. Downtown contributes more than 19% of tax revenue for the city/county from downtown property taxes for Marion County and income tax revenue. Some other notable numbers are below.
- Downtown Indy remains the fastest-growing neighborhood in Marion County. Downtown’s multi-family residential apartment occupancy is at 96.9 percent, indicating continued demand for downtown living.
- 2021 attendance numbers at downtown’s primary attractions/arts and cultural institutions grew 50 percent over 2020, while attendance at sporting events grew 220 percent over 2020 numbers.
- 72 new street-level retail and restaurant businesses opened in 2021.
- Crime downtown continues to decline year over year — a staggering 44 percent lower than in 2016 and 24 percent lower than in 2020.
A link to the report they put together is available here.
Alan Bacon, the co-Founder of GANGGANG, a cultural development firm, is hopeful continued investment in Downtown Indianapolis will turn the city into a destination spot.
"What are some of your favorite places to visit in the country? Nashville, Miami, L.A., New Orleans, New York? Now think about why you like to visit those cities," Bacon said.
Bacon says all those cities offer something unique and special — it boils down to the culture.
"Culture is what gives you an identity as a person and as a place," Bacon said. "What would it look like if Indianapolis leaned into culture? What would it look like if Indianapolis leaned further in and deeper into our identity as a city?"
Bacon wants people to continue investing in the thriving arts and music scene. He mentioned the success Downtown Indy had with the In The Mix Program, a strategy to recruit and invest in and/or expand Black-owned businesses Downtown.
Bacon says that strategy brings more culture to the center city. The work hasn't gone unnoticed.
"Our creatives aren't leaving for other cities in droves anymore. They're not leaving. They're leading right here in Indianapolis. The creatives that left are coming back and there's a buzz about Indianapolis," he said. "There's a creative renaissance happening and it's happening right here in Indianapolis."
Bacon believes continued investment in the city's downtown, specifically focusing on culture, will lead to the Circle City becoming a destination spot.
-
1 dead, 1 critically injured in shooting at west side apartment complex
IMPD is investigating after one person was killed and another was critically injured in a shooting at an apartment complex on the city's west side Friday night.
IMPD released bodycam footage from fatal shooting of carjacking suspect in Oct.
IMPD released body cam footage of a shooting in which officers shot an armed carjacking suspect on the east side of Indianapolis in October.
Emma Donnan schools hold 5th annual holiday shop to help students in need
The event allowed students and their families to pick out toys, clothes, food and household items they may need this winter.
Local business wants more communication from USPS following shipping delays
Tracking numbers not working and packages being delayed are some of the issues central Indiana customers are facing. Some businesses are asking for more communication from the postal service.
