IRVINGTON – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs recently presented Gov. Eric Holcomb’s proclamation declaring October as Downtown Development Month in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Irvington. To celebrate this month, Lt. Gov. Crouch and OCRA staff will visit urban and rural communities throughout the state to recognize the importance of downtown development and honor community achievements.
Irvington Development Organization (IDO) President Jim Rawlinson stated, “Irvington functions as a town within Indianapolis. We are a neighborhood that supports each other and are excited that our Mainstreet designation includes us in a group of thriving communities. We look forward to the opportunities that come with being a Mainstreet community.”
Established in 1870, Irvington was home to Butler University from 1875 to 1928. The town was built as a quiet and prosperous suburb of Indianapolis, and became a thriving community of artists and other creatives throughout much of its history. In 1902 it was annexed by the city of Indianapolis. In 2006, it was designated a Historic District, and it is the largest historic district in Indianapolis. The Main Street is US 40, or Washington St., which boasts shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It also has a growing commercial district on South Audubon and Bonna.
“Continued downtown development is an important piece in bettering the quality of life for community members,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “I’ve been fortunate to see a number of successful examples of downtown development around the state, and I look forward to honoring these efforts throughout October.”
Spinner says it is important to prioritize the downtown corridor as it reflects a community’s image and pride. Downtown corridors can include a central commercial district, local businesses, the historic core of the community and community gathering spaces. Additionally, the downtown area often provides access to opportunities and essential services.
