About the Regional Center Plan

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The Adopted Plan for Downtown Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Regional Center Plan is the adopted plan for Downtown Indianapolis.  The first Regional Center Plan was adopted in 1970 and was followed by updates in 1980, 1990, and the current Regional Center Plan 2020.  The plan is a comprehensive policy guide for the future of Downtown.

The Indianapolis Regional Center functions as the traditional Downtown for the Indianapolis area and a center of activity for the entire central Indiana region. The Regional Center is the focal point of city and state government as well as a host of regional services including medical care and higher education. Downtown is an economic, transportation, communications and technology hub for the region. It serves as the “postcard” of central Indiana through its important tourism, entertainment and cultural offerings.

The Regional Center is home to many significant land uses, activities and landowners that form the backbone of Downtown. These include city and state government centers, White River State Park, IUPUI, Eli Lilly and Company, numerous financial and insurance companies, several regional hospitals, the Indiana Convention Center and associated hotels, a wealth of sports, arts, shopping and dining opportunities and a growing residential population that includes many historic neighborhoods.
 
Regional Center Plan Key Priorities
  • Life Sciences Community
    Develop mixed-use life sciences research community.
  • Neighborhoods
    Double the population to 40,000 by 2020 with emphasis on mixed-use development.
  • Multimodal Transportation
    Promote a strategic system of mass transportation and pedestrian/bicycle walkways, including the proposed Cultural Trail, to assure universal accessibility.
  • Tourism & Cultural Development
    Expand convention and sports capacities and cultural development.
  • Urban Design
    Evaluate the design review process for the Regional Center.
  • Continue Momentum
    Facilitate and coordinate the implementation of Regional Center Plan recommendations.
More Information
  Where is the Regional Center?
  A Tradition of Planning for Tomorrow
  How Was the Plan Developed?
  Other Questions?
     

 

  
The Regional Center Vision
As the vibrant hub of central Indiana, Downtown Indianapolis is recognized as the heart of a world-class city and an exciting place to live, work, play, visit and raise a family. Downtown Indianapolis provides unparalleled business, entertainment, education, medical and residential opportunities in an attractive, clean, safe, friendly and exciting environment.

Downtown Indianapolis offers:

  • An exciting, unique and profitable mix of retail, restaurant, cultural and entertainment activities that provides a positive experience for a diverse population;
  • Residential options for a wide array of income levels with strong neighborhoods and services reinforcing historic and urban alternatives to the suburbs;
  • A thriving work environment and business climate that produces a skilled and creative workforce that supports the life sciences, information technology, logistics and advanced manufacturing industries;
  • A community excelling in quality educational opportunities for all people;
  • An environment that is safe, accessible and healthy with user-friendly parking and transportation; and
  • Attractive and lively streets, trails, sidewalks and public spaces that connect activities, creating an overall fabric that has quality design and a strong sense of place.