INDIANAPOLIS — East side residents participated in City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart (R) town hall on Monday, Aug. 3. Based on a pre-development site study in February, led by Schmidt Associates, and privately funded by real estate group, Lauth Group, the study included a community survey, outreach meetings and interviews with current mall tenants. It was then developed into a concept plan for potential future development.
The study found residents want to see the property turned into a mixed-use development that includes dining, retail and space for workforce development training. The vision plan presented included greenspace, housing, and a sports complex. It also showed an extension of the Grassy Creek Trail, and access to the IndyGo Blue Line.
The plans shown at the town hall provide a potential vision for the space, located on the corner of Mitthoeffer between Washington St. and 10th. Currently, no developers and investors have been secured.
Washington Square Mall opened in 1974 and was partially renovated in 1999. The mall consists mostly of local stores and Target, as well as an AMC movie theatre on the property. The site in Indianapolis spans approximately 94 to 100 acres, which includes the mall structure (965,000 square feet) and the surrounding parking lots. The property has 20 different parcels, with different owners.