'Just shake off the frustration’ as Taylor Swift’s concert will lead to downtown traffic

After nearly two years of planning, the reputation of downtown Indianapolis will get a boost as it welcomes roughly 200,000 people for the last U.S. stop of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

The event, which takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium Nov.1, 2, and 3, could be the city's busiest weekend of the year, even more than the NBA All Star game, the Indy 500 and the Olympic Swim trials.

About 81% of concert ticket holders are from out of state. Organizations believe Indianapolis businesses could see an economic boost in the hundred millions.

The city invested six figures to pay for decorations, including a 300-foot decal of Taylor Swift on the side of the JW Marriott Hotel, changing some street signs to album names in the Eras Tour and hanging banners.

Chris Gahl, the executive vice president of Visit Indy, said he wants to make sure visitors have a good time in case they consider moving to the city in the future. 

“We view weekends like this as an economic development strategy to drive visitors into our city, into our downtown,” Gahl said. “To show off our capabilities to put on major events so that people return for conventions and meetings, to live, to work, to play. So the weekend as a whole is a testing ground to make sure people want to come back to our city.”

According to Gahl, 33,000 hotel rooms in the Indianapolis metropolitan area are booked, which is two or three times the standard rate. There has also been a more than 200% increase for short term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo, compared to the same weekend in previous years. Areas outside of Marion County, such as north of Lafayette and south of Greenwood, are expected to see an influx of people too.

To help people find their way across downtown, more than 100 volunteers from Butler University and Indiana University Indianapolis will wear pink shirts with the word “Indy.”

According to Lucas Oil Stadium’s website, there will be no listening areas or tailgating outside of the stadium for people without concert tickets.

Gahl said other cities have struggled to accommodate patrons who want merchandise but don’t have a concert ticket. Beginning Wednesday, the Indiana Convention Center opened a second merchandise location so anyone can purchase items and experience the weekend.

Police presence

This weekend will be all hands on deck for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Officers will be in patrol cars, on foot and horseback. Police-operated drones will also survey the area.

Catherine Cummings, assistant chief for IMPD, encouraged drivers and pedestrians to remain patient, cautious and vigilant because “safety is a shared responsibility.”

“This is important for our city and our state alike, so just slow down,” Cummings said. “We want you to arrive safe and sound. So, just shake off the frustration. Let's just shake it off. Everybody, slow down and take your time and let's get there.”

People can text Indy event alerts at 67283 to receive texts about public safety emergencies.
 

Cummings wants to ensure officers will be approachable. All IMPD officers will wear friendship bracelets and Cummings encourages the public to trade bracelets with IMPD.

“It really humanizes our police officers,” Cummings said. “We have people who are fans, we might even have some officers who are Swifties. It’s really just a fun way to engage in this big event, to really show that we do enjoy event business.”

Road closures

IMPD plans for downtown street closures to be similar to a Colts game. I-70 eastbound and westbound ramps to Meridian, Illinois and West Street will be shut down at 11 p.m. and expected reopening times around 1 a.m. South Street from Capitol to Missouri Streets and Delaware to West Streets will also be shut down from 10am to 1 a.m.

The Monument Circle will be shut down Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Officers ask ticket holders to be dropped off at McCarty Street in between Missouri and Capital Street.

Rideshare locations will be located at South Street between Missouri and West Street from 10pm to approximately 1 a.m. The Eli Lilly parking lot on Delaware and South will also be a place for ride shares and parent pickup location.

Street closures may begin earlier depending on the circumstances.
 

IMPD stressed the importance of paying attention to posted no parking signs, even in the days leading up to the weekend. If someone’s car is towed, they will have to retrieve it from Auto Return located at 325 South Coast Road.

Contact WFYI’s health reporter Elizabeth Gabriel at egabriel@wfyi.org