1. Find a way to revitalize city's neighborhoods | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com Page 1 of 2
Bowl, with multiple high-profile events
Find a way to Downtown, it's critical that Indianapolis'
leaders focus more intently on rebuilding
revitalize city's and protecting neighborhoods. The crowds
who flock here for the excitement of the big
neighborhoods game will come and go. The residents who
live daily with abandoned houses and
potholes will remain.
6:43 PM, Feb. 18, 2011|
Unlike in many cities, Indianapolis' Or at least some of them will.
Downtown is inviting and energetic. Visitors
and residents alike flock to restaurants, Others, in frustration, will join the flight to
clubs, museums and shops most nights Marion County's suburban townships, or
and weekends. The gleaming Downtown, beyond. And newcomers in large numbers
as the central site for large conventions and will continue to settle in suburban havens
major events such as the 2012 Super Bowl, such as Hamilton, Hendricks and Johnson
also is a prime driver of the regional counties rather than in Indianapolis.
economy.
The effort to turn around struggling
But in neighborhoods not far away, as The neighborhoods will require deeper
Star's Erika Smith and Robert King investments in streets, sidewalks, parks
document on today's front page, residents and crime prevention. It's not as easy as s
struggle to live beside abandoned houses, imply raising taxes. Otherwise, lower rates
use crumbling sidewalks and drive on in suburban areas will act as magnets for
neglected streets. For many, life in the businesses and homeowners. That's why
urban core is a decades-long, deals such as last year's sale of the water
multigenerational experience. Others are and sewer works, and the lease of the
urban pioneers of sorts, moving into Advertisement
neighborhoods like Fountain Square and
the Near Eastside to help spark and
sustain restoration and revival.
Together, they share common frustrations
such as neglected infrastructure, a failed
bus system and underperforming schools
that threaten the viability of their
businesses, the value of their homes and
the future of large tracts of Indianapolis
outside of Downtown.
Even as the city prepares to host the Super
http://www.indystar.com/article/201102200245/OPINION08/102200343 2/21/2011

2. Find a way to revitalize city's neighborhoods | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com Page 2 of 2
city's parking meters, are so critical.
Those transactions will provide hundreds of
millions of dollars that already have been
designated for streets, bridges and
sidewalks. The needs throughout the city,
however, still greatly outweigh the available
resources.
That's why, as the mayoral campaign
unfolds this year, it's important that both
major party candidates address in detail
how they would further close the funding
gap for basic infrastructure in the city.
Both also need to explain their vision for
bringing life back to dying neighborhoods
and for sustaining efforts in areas such as
Fountain Square where a measure of
progress has been achieved.
At the heart of Indianapolis is a bright and
attractive Downtown. It's unlikely to stay
that way, however, unless the
neighborhoods that help support it are
made strong.
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http://www.indystar.com/article/201102200245/OPINION08/102200343 2/21/2011