Northwest  Workshop Vision Two

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Vision Summary
This vision focuses on the North and South Midtown neighborhoods as well as Indiana Avenue. For residential areas, infill housing is proposed, with single-family and duplex homes filling in gaps along residential streets and higher-density rowhouses and senior courtyard apartments lining busier streets. A new neighborhood-oriented commercial center is proposed near the intersection of 10th and 11th Streets. This "Ransom Village Center" would contain many shops and services oriented to the surrounding neighborhoods and employment areas, including a grocery store, pharmacy, and restaurants. A new YMCA facility would become an important part of this new center, while a "Walker Arts District" would be developed down Indiana Avenue. This new district, focused around the historic Walker Theatre, would include new commercial development, an Indiana Black Expo Heritage Center and Museum, and a new IUPUI theater.
 

Team Members
Leader: Chris Calott
Marlie Eckelman
Juston Sitzman
Brian Bishop
 
Vision Components
You can click on each image below for a larger view.  Images will open in a new window, and to return to this page, simply close the new window.  
 
Maps & Analysis
Overall Plan
This image is the master overall plan.  Emphasis is placed on infill development and the creation of a new commercial center serving surrounding neighborhoods.


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Proposed Land Use
This comprehensive map shows proposed land use, including a new Ransom Village Center and an expanded YMCA.
Proposed New "Districts"
This diagram illustrates three "districts" for new development.  The blue is a new Walker Arts Cultural District, the red is a new Ransom Village Center, and the purple represents infill development areas.
Ransom Village Center Connections
A new Ransom Village Center is proposed in this vision around the intersection of 10th and 11th Streets, and would serve residents in surrounding neighborhoods as well as employees and students at nearby IUPUI and the hospitals.
Proposed Parkland
This map shows existing and proposed parks and open spaces in this vision.  
Proposed New Cultural Facilities
Three new additions or improvements to the area in this vision are a new YMCA on 10th Street and the development of a Walker Arts Cultural District with a new Black Expo heritage center and museum and a new theatre for IUPUI.
Housing Infill Opportunities
Existing neighborhoods should be strengthened with the development of infill housing, where new housing is placed on vacant land in already-developed neighborhoods.  BOS Community Development has already used this strategy extensively in the South midtown neighborhood, and this map shows where additional opportunities exist.
Mixed Use Development Opportunities
This map shows mixed-use development opportunities, where commercial, retail, residential, office, and other uses may share a building.
Traffic Patterns
This diagram illustrates traffic volume through the study area.                  
 
Infill Housing Development
Single Family and Duplex Homes
In parts of the Midtown neighborhoods with mostly single-family homes, similar housing types are appropriate.  This sketch shows elevations of typical single family and duplex infill housing types, as well as first- and second-floor plans.
Single Family and Duplex Homes
This sketch of California Street shows the development of infill single-family and duplex homes.  The house style is designed to blend in with existing homes.
Infill Rowhouses
Along busier streets, higher density rowhouses are proposed in this vision.  Similar rowhouses have proved to be very popular in the Downtown housing market, and the Midtown location near major employment centers could make these units very attractive.
Infill Rowhouses
This sketch shows new infill rowhouses along Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St near Crispus Attucks Middle School.
Courtyard Senior Housing
Housing tailored to senior citizens has become popular nationwide, and this vision proposes that some new courtyard apartments be developed to allow seniors who live in the neighborhood to remain in it as they grow older.
New Commercial Opportunities
Ransom Village Center
This aerial view shows part of a new village commercial center near the intersection of 10th and 11th Streets.  Parking is below grade with a plaza above, and a link to or station on the Clarian Peoplemover system is recommended.  The development would include a mixture of retail and services that would serve local residents, hospital employees, and the university community.  Some apartments would also be included on upper floors.
Ransom Village Center
This cross-section through a portion of the village center shows how parking can be accommodated underneath a public plaza.
Ransom Village Center
This cross-section of the village center shows new housing development and mixed-use residential and commercial buildings.
Neighborhood-Oriented Development
Most of the new commercial development proposed in this vision should be neighborhood-oriented, with stores such as a grocery store, pharmacy, and hardware store serving those who live in the area.  Commercial and residential uses are also shown in this drawing working together in close proximity to each other.
Commercial & Residential Street
This sketch shows the Clarian peoplemover along 10th and 11th Streets and new commercial and residential mixed-use development.
New YMCA and Mixed-Use Development
The YMCA on 10th Street has served the neighborhood for many years and in this vision would become an important part of the Ransom Village Center.  A modern facility would be part of a larger mixed-use commercial and residential development. 
Building on Cultural Heritage
Walker Arts District
The study area, especially Indiana Avenue, is rich in African-American cultural heritage represented today by the Walker Theatre.  This heritage is celebrated in this vision with the development of a Black Expo Heritage Center/Museum, infill commercial development, and a new IUPUI 500 seat theatre.
Walker Arts District
This sketch shows a revitalized Indiana Avenue that is once again alive with activity that celebrates the history of the area.
Black Expo Heritage Center and Museum
There is no better place to celebrate african-american heritage in Indianapolis than along Indiana Avenue, according to this vision, and a new cultural center and museum for Indiana Black Expo is proposed adjacent to the Walker Theatre.  Other mixed-use infill development complements the museum.