INDIANAPOLIS — City officials recently announced plans to improve the downtown area, with funding support for operational changes across City departments, with additional support from Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII). Public safety investments include increased overtime shifts for IMPD bike patrol officers and a boost to crime fighting technology, with three new mobile security cameras to be connected to IMPD monitoring software. In addition, small to mid-sized businesses will be able to take advantage of a grant program aimed at increasing participation in IMPD’s b.link camera system. Currently, IMPD has 128 Downtown camera views, which includes the b.link program and 22 license plate readers. The grant program is expected to launch in early 2023.
Also beginning in 2023, the Office of Public Health and Safety will be piloting the City’s first-ever clinician-led response team Downtown. The team will operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) will be designating a new, Downtown-focused crew for cleanliness and maintenance. Indy DPW will also deploy a new Downtown strategy aimed at regular maintenance of alleys, sidewalk power washing, and targeting of other problem areas. Additionally, the City will increase the number of trash receptacles to reduce the amount of litter. Through the partnership, Downtown Indy, Inc. will increase the number of cleaning ambassadors to the Mile Square and will also install and conduct regular maintenance on an additional Downtown public bathroom.
To supplement existing City outreach efforts engaging with residents experiencing homelessness, Downtown Indy Inc. will work with service providers to hire social workers and housing navigators focused on downtown populations. IMPD will continue to invest in its Homeless Outreach Unit and the Office of Public Health and Safety will be investing in a new downtown public restroom at its safe food distribution site.
The partnership will run over the next 18 months, directed at regular weekday activities and day-to-day programming. In addition, Downtown Indianapolis will play host to over 600 conventions and major events over the next 18 months including the Circle of Lights, Big Ten Championship games, the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, and the USA Swimming 2024 Olympic Trials.