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Workers help set up Spark on the Circle. (Jill Sheridan/WFYI)
The southwest quadrant of Monument Circle will close to vehicle traffic as Spark on the Circle takes over.
That section of the circle will be transformed into a park-like scene with synthetic grass, tables, chairs and a public restroom. Downtown Indy, Inc. led the effort, and president Taylor Schaffer said added programming includes games, art, music performances and local food vendors.
“We want to give them an experience here on Monument Circle that's unlike anything they've ever seen before downtown,” Schaffer said.
The experience builds on a pilot project from last summer. Art collaborative Big Car partners for Spark and offered it on a smaller scale in 2022.
Schaffer said DII and Big Car learned a lot about who visits an experience like Spark.
“Whether that's someone living here, whether that's someone working here or whether that's someone visiting here that may not know a lot about Indianapolis,” Shaffer said. “We really saw that.”
Spark could help support other downtown businesses as more people come to the circle for daily entertainment options. The event may also give insight into what a full closure of the circle could look like.
Spark on the Circle will run through November.
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