Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick expansion
Expansion
The current expansion of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a major capital project that is extending the Cultural Trail in two distinct areas: Indiana Avenue and South Street for a total distance of almost 2 additional miles.
The latest addition to the expansion, announced on May 9, 2023, includes an additional mile of Cultural Trail spanning from the corner of South Street and Capitol Street going west to Kentucky Avenue and Henry Street crossing the White River over a new Henry Street multi-modal bridge currently in design.
Both expansions are designed to the same high standards and quality that encompasses the existing 6 miles of constructed Cultural Trail including gardens and public art. The expansion also includes funding for the Cultural Trail’s maintenance endowment and additions to the Trail’s public art collection, programming, and gardens along each the two segments.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick connects arts, cultural and entertainment destinations with neighborhoods and greenways. By expanding and adding these three new segments to the Cultural Trail, we will connect more people and neighborhoods to more cultural experiences and greenways while infusing art and nature along the Trail’s newest additions.
The timeline for completion of the current Cultural Trail’s expansion on Indiana Avenue and 10th Street is June 20, 2024.
Design is underway for the White River Expansion is anticipated to begin construction in late 2025.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is leading the effort. Formed at the inception of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick, the organization’ mission is to create, inspire and sustain connections and cultural experiences that are accessible to all.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a proud public-private partnership and works closely with the City of Indianapolis as the Trail is located on public right of way.
As of May 2023, over $49.7 million has been committed to the entire expansion project. The contributors include:
The project budget for the Cultural Trail to expand includes funding for the Cultural Trail’s public art collection and program and funding for the Cultural Trail’s maintenance endowment which supports keeping the Trail accessible for everyone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The South Street expansion will bring the Indianapolis Cultural Trail from New Jersey Street to Capitol Avenue, improving access in a thriving stretch of downtown that includes Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center and a growing residential hub anchored by CityWay. The new section will also create a beautiful connection between downtown and near Southside neighborhoods and Stadium Village area.
The Indiana Avene expansion will begin at the Walker Legacy Center on Indiana Avenue and continue north to 10th Street. It will then head west on 10th Street to the planned bridge leading to the 16 Tech Innovation district. Importantly, the Indiana Avenue segment will tie in historically and culturally significant neighborhoods and cultural destinations that have been disconnected from downtown and better unify Indianapolis’ hospital and university campuses with the heart of the city.
The newest segment of the expansion will connect downtown’s cultural districts to west Indianapolis neighborhoods, as well as the new Elanco Global Headquarters and Indy Eleven Campus, by adding an additional 1 mile of Cultural Trail along South Street, Kentucky Avenue, Henry Street and the Henry Street bridge, which the City of Indianapolis will build south of Washington Street in 2024.
