Old Southside Chosen For Annual Neighborhood Investment Program

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett Wednesday announced a new investment in the Old Southside neighborhood.

It’s the second area chosen for Lift Indy, a community development program meant to revitalize low-to-middle income neighborhoods.

Funding for Lift Indy comes from two federal grants, both through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city says it will direct an anticipated $4 million to develop the Old Southside over the next three years.

The program’s stated goal is to bring affordable housing, beautification and public amenities to an area while ensuring long-time residents benefit from the change.

“Lift Indy is more than an initiative to improve one area," Mayor Hogsett said in a statement. "It is a long-term strategy to elevate all of Indianapolis’ neighborhoods, for the betterment of all people in our city."

Judith Essex, president of the Old Southside Neighborhood Association, said in a statement that planned improvements to a local park and a new shelter will serve the whole community.

"For the thousands of commuters who pass through the Old Southside every day, the Meridian Streetscape Placemaking will illustrate that we are neighborhood on the move," Essex said. "But the most important part of Lift Indy is the affordable homeownership opportunities this will bring to thirteen families.”

Lift Indy started last year, when the city announced it would invest $4.5 million into the Monon 16 neighborhood.