Delegation Tours Possible "Great Places 2020"

A delegation drove around Indianapolis Wednesday morning.

They made four stops as part of the Great Places 2020 effort which is designed to put together an investment strategy to rebuild struggling neighborhoods over the next six years.

A bus rolled up just past 38th and Illinois and the delegation stepped out to rousing cheers.

Tedd Grain with Local Initiatives Support Corporation, or LISC, says the tour allows the committee to gain a better understanding of the needs of each community.

"The four places all are amazing, have amazing partnerships, have amazing reasons for us to invest," he said.  "We should invest in all four of those places.  There are a lot of different commercial centers, nodes, special places in the city that need investments."

All the finalists are near transit corridors and must have an anchor institution such as a museum or church.

At the stop at 38th and Illinois, community members wore shirts saying Love At 38th.

Butler Tarkington Neighborhood President Ted Feeney says if the area is chosen, the money would be invested along a quarter mile radius.

"It's not just one neighborhood that benefits, it's the entire Midtown Indy area," said Feeney.  "Just to our south there is an apartment complex that is boarded up.  There is a potential for redevelopment, retail along the 38th street corridor.  So, lots of potential opportunities."

And Cindy Zweber-Free of Midtown Indianapolis believes whatever community is chosen, the entire city will see the benefit of the investment.

"We want people to move to Indianapolis and stay here, not necessarily just moving up to the suburbs when their kids get older," said Zweber-Free.  "I'd like to think that any place that is improved in the city of Indianapolis is for the greater good of the entire city."

The Great Places Selection Committee plans to announce the winner in October.