INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, city officials, and community leaders broke ground on a $6.8 million infrastructure project along the South Meridian St. Corridor in the Old Southside.
The Old Southside Lift Indy project includes streetscape and stormwater infrastructure improvements, placemaking, and other components along Meridian Street from Arizona St. To McCarty St. The City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) and Department of Public Works (DPW) worked along residents and community stakeholders to identify project priorities, including improved storm drainage, pedestrian-focused infrastructure, placemaking, and safety. Highlights include:
Pedestrian focused upgrades encompass a multi-use path, ADA compliant sidewalks with curb ramps, upgraded traffic signals for cyclists and cars, the addition of bike racks, and seats and trash bins. In addition, infrastructure changes will be made for proper stormwater inlet spacing and sized stormwater pipes.
In 2018, Mayor Hogsett and DMD selected the Old Southside as the city’s 2nd Lift Indy neighborhood, focusing community development funds on 13 affordable housing opportunities, upgrades to Kelly Park, and the South Meridian Street infrastructure improvements. Lift Indy is the City’s comprehensive community development investment program, combining a variety of federal funding towards a concentrated area over the course of three years. Since 2017, the City of Indianapolis has designated 7 Lift Indy neighborhoods: Monon16, Old Southside, East 10th Street, Near North, Martindale-Brightwood, Mid-North, and the Far Eastside.
Crews have begun work on Phase 1 of the Old Southside Lift Indy project. For detours and other information regarding Project ED-20-001, please visit www.indy.gov.
