Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is expanding for the first time.
Expansion
The expansion of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a major capital project that is expanding the Cultural Trail in two distinct areas: Indiana Ave and South Street for a total distance of almost 2 miles. The expansion is designed to the same high standards and quality that encompasses the existing Cultural Trail including botanical gardens and a public art program. The expansion also includes funding for the Cultural Trail’s maintenance endowment and additions to the Trail’s public art collection and program along the two segments.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick connects arts, cultural and entertainment destinations with neighborhoods and greenways. The magic of the Cultural Trail experience happens between these destinations is what makes it the Trail, and it’s connections so unique. By expanding and adding two new segments to the Cultural Trail, we will connect more people and neighborhoods to more cultural destinations and greenways while infusing art and nature along the Trail’s newest additions.
The timeline for completion of the Cultural Trail’s expansion is 2-3 years. Construction began in October 2021 and will be underway on both Indiana Avenue and South Street through 2023. We will continue raise all of the funding needed for the entire project throughout construction.
Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc (ICTI), a non-profit organization is leading the effort. Formed at the inception of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick, ICTI’s mission is to enrich lives and connect people and places through dynamic and beautiful experiences and use the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Pacers Bikeshare program as a catalyst for economic growth.
As the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a public private partnership and the Trail is located on public right of way, ICTI works closely with the City of Indianapolis.
As of February 2020, over $28.5 million has been committed to the expansion project. The early contributors include:
Lilly Endowment, Inc.: $20M
City of Indianapolis: $5M
Anthem Foundation: $1M
Eli Lilly Foundation: $1M
Indianapolis Neighborhood Infrastructure Partnership: $1.5M
The project budget for the Cultural Trail to expand in both areas is $30M.
This 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.
