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65-514: The Indiana Convention Center is a major convention center located in Downtown Indianapolis , Indiana . The original structure was completed in 1972 and has undergone five expansions. In total, there are 71 meeting rooms, 11 exhibit halls, and three multi-purpose ballrooms. The connected facilities of Lucas Oil Stadium offer an additional 183,000 square feet (20,000 m) of exhibit space and 12 meeting rooms. Originally named

130-666: A Signia by Hilton , is planned to be completed in 2024. According to the Indianapolis Star and Indianapolis Business Journal , this is the fifth major expansion of the Indiana Convention Center and would push the total rentable space to more than 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m). The Indiana Convention Center has been the host to a large variety of events, including concerts, conventions, meetings, pageants, sports competitions, and trade shows. Downtown Indianapolis Downtown Indianapolis

195-464: A broader geography, incorporating an area bounded by 16th Street and Interstate 65 (north), Interstate 65/70 (east), Interstate 70 (south), and the White River (west). Downtown is generally bisected into four quadrants, divided by Meridian Street (north to south) and Washington Street (east to west).(about 7 square miles) Downtown Indianapolis is sited on flat terrain near the confluence of

260-570: A combined 750,000 square feet (70,000 m ) of exhibition space. ICC is connected to 12 hotels and 4,700 hotel rooms, the most of any U.S. convention center. In 2008, the facility hosted 42 national conventions with an attendance of 317,815; in 2014, it hosted 106 for an attendance of 635,701. Most hotels are clustered in the blocks immediately adjacent to the Indiana Convention Center in downtown's southwest quadrant. According to Downtown Indy, Inc., there are 34 hotels with

325-457: A large circular commons, at the center of town. Ralston's grid pattern with wide roads and public squares extended outward from the four blocks adjacent to the Circle, and also included four diagonal streets, later renamed as avenues. Public squares were reserved for government and community use, but not all of these squares were used for this intended purpose. Ralston altered the grid pattern in

390-399: A one-way westbound street west of New Jersey Street) located one block south of the Circle. The city's address numbering system begins at the intersection of Washington and Meridian streets. Meridian and Market Streets intersect the Circle. Few street improvements were made in the 1820s and 1830s; sidewalks did not appear until 1839 or 1840. In the last half of the nineteenth century, when

455-917: A total of 7,839 hotel rooms. Notable hotels include The Columbia Club , Conrad Indianapolis , the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown , the Hilton Indianapolis , Le Méridien Indianapolis , the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis , the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown , the JW Marriott Indianapolis , and the Omni Severin Hotel . Recent developments in downtown Indianapolis include the construction of new mid- to high-rise buildings and

520-436: Is also connected to 12 hotels and 4,700 hotel rooms via skywalks, the most of any U.S. convention center. In September 2020, Indianapolis City-County Council unanimously approved a $ 155 million bond measure to build a 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m) ballroom, 93,500 square feet (8,690 m) of meeting and pre-function space, and two high-rise hotels developed by Kite Realty, totaling 1,400 rooms. The first hotel, branded as

585-601: Is also located nearby at the intersection of Ohio Street and Senate Avenue. Neighboring White River State Park contains the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and the NCAA Hall of Champions . Indiana Avenue , in downtown's northwest quadrant, is home to Crispus Attucks High School and Museum and the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library . Located in downtown's northeast quadrant,

650-467: Is an American two-forked river that flows through central and southern Indiana and is the main tributary to the Wabash River . Via the west fork, considered to be the main stem of the river by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names , the White River is 362 miles (583 km) long. Indiana's capital, Indianapolis , is located on the river. The two forks meet just north of Petersburg and empty into

715-486: Is an increasingly vital sector to the Indianapolis economy, especially downtown. According to Visit Indy, 28.2 million visitors generated $ 4.9 billion in 2015, the fourth straight year of record growth. Indianapolis has long been a sport tourism destination, but has more recently relied on conventions. The Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and Lucas Oil Stadium are considered mega convention center facilities, with

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780-1020: Is the Indianapolis Public Library 's Central Library and the five-block Indiana World War Memorial Plaza , home to the American Legion 's Emil A. Blackmore Museum, the Indiana World War Memorial Military Museum , and the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum . In 2021, downtown Indianapolis contained about 340 acres (140 ha) across 28 parks and plazas. The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza encompasses three distinct downtown greenspaces: American Legion Mall, Veterans Memorial Plaza, and University Park. The Indianapolis Canal Walk also includes three pocket parks: Community Service Plaza, Vermont Street Plazas, and Walnut Street Commons. Bicentennial Unity Plaza,

845-499: Is the cultural, political, and economic center of the Indianapolis metropolitan area . Downtown Indianapolis anchors the city's burgeoning tourism and hospitality sector, home to nearly 8,000 hotel rooms and several of the city's major sporting and event facilities. Downtown contains numerous historic districts and properties, most of the city's memorials and monuments, performing arts venues, and museums. Since its founding in 1820,

910-513: The Indianapolis Star , OneAmerica Financial Partners , the National Collegiate Athletic Association , Simon Property Group , and Salesforce . As the location for several local, state, and federal government agencies and buildings, downtown Indianapolis is home to a large concentration of white-collar workers with roles in public policy, law, advocacy, and public relations. Located on Market Street,

975-516: The City-County Building serves as the seat of the consolidated government of Indianapolis and Marion County . The office building houses the executive and legislative branches of local government as well as numerous municipal departments. The John Morton-Finney Center for Educational Services at Walnut and Delaware streets houses the administrative headquarters for Indianapolis Public Schools . The Indiana Statehouse , located at

1040-627: The Indiana Statehouse (1888), Union Station (1888), and the Das Deutsche Haus (1898), among others. Following World War II , expansion of the American middle class , suburbanization , and declining manufacturing employment greatly impacted Downtown Indianapolis, similar to most U.S. central business districts at this time. Urban renewal projects of this era hastened the central business district's decline, particularly

1105-563: The Indiana Statehouse (west) and the Indianapolis City Market and Marion County Courthouse (east), respectively. As the population increased and the city matured, the original plat continued to densify, developing into the region's central business district. The city's historical core and present-day central business district is sometimes referred to as the "Mile Square". However, the Downtown "neighborhood area" defines

1170-542: The Indiana University School of Medicine form an academic medical center that includes University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children in an area roughly bounded by 10th Street (north), Michigan Street (south), University Boulevard (east), and Riley Hospital Drive (west). IU Health Methodist Hospital is located on 16th Street in the neighboring Near Northside. The city's primary public medical centers, Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and

1235-483: The Indianapolis Downtown Heliport , which opened for public use in 1979. AES Indiana , the city's electricity provider, is headquartered on Monument Circle. Citizens Energy Group's Perry K. Generating Station burns natural gas to produce steam to provide heat and hot water to 200 customers as part of the downtown district heating system. White River (Indiana) The White River

1300-722: The Indianapolis Indians ). Other notable venues are located on the Indiana University Indianapolis campus in the northwestern section of downtown. The IU Indy Jaguars compete at the IUPUI Gymnasium , Indiana University Natatorium , and Carroll Stadium . The latter is also home to the Indy Eleven , the city's second-tier men's professional soccer team. Note: For an overview and complete list of all memorials and monuments on

1365-607: The Indianapolis Tennis Center , Indiana University Natatorium , Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium , and the Hoosier Dome . The latter project helped secure the 1984 relocation of the Baltimore Colts , the 1987 Pan American Games , and scores of subsequent athletic events of national and international interest. Modern skyscraper construction catapulted Downtown office and commercial space in

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1430-789: The Mass Ave Cultural Arts District is home to the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum and James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home . Rhythm! Discovery Center is located in the Claypool Court near the intersection of Washington and Illinois streets. Two of the city's three major Masonic landmarks—the Indianapolis Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral —share the block of North Street between Meridian and Illinois streets. Immediately east across Meridian Street

1495-635: The Minton-Capehart Federal Building on Pennsylvania Street. The Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse on Ohio Street houses the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana . The United States Postal Service operates two post offices downtown as well as its Indianapolis Processing and Distribution Center on South Street. The hospitality industry

1560-570: The National Road (now Washington Street ), reached Indianapolis in 1836, followed by the railroad in 1847. Indianapolis Union Station opened in 1853 as the world's first union station . Citizen's Street and Railway Company was established in 1864, operating the city's first mule-drawn streetcar line. Opened in 1904 on Market Street, the Indianapolis Traction Terminal was the largest interurban station in

1625-542: The Simon Youth Foundation operates Simon Youth Academy at Circle Centre Mall , an alternative school for eleventh and twelfth grade students. One private school , Lumen Christi Catholic School, is located in the southeast quadrant of downtown in Fletcher Place . Downtown's northwest quadrant is home to the largest cluster of healthcare facilities in the region. Indiana University Health and

1690-593: The "outer loop," a beltway called Interstate 465 . IndyGo operates the city's public transit network, with downtown Indianapolis serving as the region's hub and spoke origin. In 2016, the Julia M. Carson Transit Center opened as the downtown hub for 27 of its 31 bus routes. The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority is headquartered in downtown Indianapolis. The quasi-governmental agency provides commuter bus service and oversees regional carpool and vanpool programs. Downtown Indianapolis continues to be

1755-669: The $ 275 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center completed in 2011. After 12 years of planning and six years of construction, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail officially opened in 2013. The $ 62.5 million public-private partnership resulted in 8 miles (13 km) of urban bike and pedestrian corridors linking six cultural districts with neighborhoods, IUPUI , and every significant arts, cultural, heritage, sports and entertainment venue downtown. Notable independent establishments such as St. Elmo Steak House and Slippery Noodle Inn mix with chains in

1820-516: The 1980s. A building boom , lasting from 1982 to 1990, saw the construction of six of the city's ten tallest buildings. These included OneAmerica Tower (1982), Fifth Third Bank Tower (1983), Capital Center South Tower (1987), BMO Plaza (1988), Market Tower (1988), 300 North Meridian (1989), and the tallest, Salesforce Tower (1990). The non-profit Downtown Indy, Inc. was established in 1993 to help promote economic development, beautification, and program events. Reinvestment continued through

1885-488: The 1990s, with the continued buildout of White River State Park museums and attractions, development of the Canal Walk , Circle Centre Mall (1995), Victory Field (1996), and Gainbridge Fieldhouse (1999). The city's successful sports tourism campaign provided local leadership with a template for increasing Downtown's capacity to host conventions and trade shows. Two of the city's tallest buildings to be completed in

1950-403: The 21st century, Conrad Indianapolis (2006) and the JW Marriott Indianapolis (2011), are hotels. Following the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008, the Indiana Convention Center completed its largest expansion in 2011. In the 2010s, Downtown experienced increased demand for housing. Numerous mixed-use and apartment buildings were developed during this time. According to Downtown Indy, Inc.,

2015-585: The Indiana Convention-Exposition Center, groundbreaking for the $ 26.1 million venue occurred December 8, 1969. Completed in 1972, the original project included one ballroom, three exhibition halls, and 23 meeting rooms encompassing 160,000 square feet (15,000 m). The first major expansion to the Indiana Convention Center added one ballroom, two exhibit halls, and 16 meeting rooms, increasing total rentable space to 371,000 square feet (34,500 m)—concurrent with construction of

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2080-700: The RCA Dome. Opening in August 2008, the $ 720 million stadium contains approximately 183,000 square feet (17,000 m) of exhibition space. Upon completion of Lucas Oil Stadium, the RCA Dome was demolished. The iconic air-lifted dome was deflated and the implosion of the stadium was completed in December 2008. The convention center's most recent and largest expansion was undertaken from 2008 to 2010, opening in January 2011. A 400,000-square-foot (37,000 m) addition

2145-546: The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, are situated immediately west of the Indiana University Medical Center in an area bounded by 10th Street (north), Michigan Street (south), Eskenazi Avenue (east), and Porto Alegre Street (west). Downtown Indianapolis has been the regional transportation hub for central Indiana since its establishment. The first major federally funded highway in the U.S.,

2210-696: The Wabash River at Mount Carmel, Illinois . The West Fork, 312 miles (502 km) long, is the main fork of the river. Federal maps refer to it simply as the White River , per a 1950 Board on Geographic Names decision. It starts south of Winchester in Randolph County at 40° 04' 46" N, 84° 55' 58" W in Washington Township . The river winds through Muncie , Anderson , Noblesville , and Indianapolis before being joined by

2275-536: The Wabash River at the Indiana – Illinois border next to Mount Carmel, Illinois , in the vicinity of where the Grand Rapids Dam and Grand Rapids Hotel used to exist. The total White River basin watershed exceeds 11,305 square miles (29,280 km ). While river quality is threatened by pollution, including overflow sewage from Indianapolis and other cities, many recreational activities take place on

2340-577: The West Fork. The East Fork White River has an approximate discharge of 6,235 cubic feet (176.6 m ) per second below the mouth of Lick Creek. Eventually, the East Fork continues eastward to its source under different names: the "Flatrock River", the "Driftwood River", and the "Big Blue River". Below the junction of the East Fork, the White River flows another 50 miles (80 km) between Gibson , Knox , and Pike counties before draining into

2405-571: The Westin Indianapolis and Hyatt Regency Indianapolis (via Plaza Park Garage). Another expansion followed in 2000. The addition of a ballroom, two exhibit halls, and seven meeting rooms increased the total rentable space to 539,000 square feet (50,100 m). The project included a skywalk connection to the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown . Construction of the 67,000-seat Lucas Oil Stadium began in September 2005 one block south of

2470-581: The White River and Fall Creek . Pogue's Run , a smaller tributary of the White River, flows beneath Downtown. The waterway was channeled into a sanitary tunnel in 1914. Downtown Indianapolis contains 36 apartment buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the Apartments and Flats of Downtown Indianapolis Thematic Resources . Entries in italics denote designated cultural districts. Downtown Indianapolis dates to

2535-540: The White River basin. Application of herbicides to corn and soybeans accounts for most of the use. The pesticides most frequently detected near the mouth of the White River during 1991–1995 were the herbicides alachlor , atrazine , cyanazine , and metolachlor . The highest concentrations of herbicides in the river were typically found during late spring runoff following application. Generally, concentrations of alachlor have been decreasing while concentrations of acetochlor have been increasing in response to changes in

2600-571: The White River, including fishing , kayaking , and canoeing . The White River Yacht Club is a boating club that utilizes pontoon boats, and a section of the river in northern Indianapolis has both riverside cottages and pontoon boats. The river is not deep enough in many stretches to support conventionally-keeled sailing or power boats. In 1997, the White River was listed as one of the United States’ most threatened rivers. Pesticides ( herbicides and insecticides ) are used extensively in

2665-543: The adjoining 60,500-seat Hoosier Dome, later renamed the RCA Dome , both completed in 1984. The combined cost was around $ 94.7 million. The convention center was expanded again from 1992 to 1993. The $ 43 million two-story addition increased total rentable space to 419,000 square feet (38,900 m), with the additions of the Sagamore Ballroom and 16 meeting rooms. The project also included skywalk connections to

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2730-503: The affected area. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources conducted a restocking program in October. The city of Anderson announced in 2002 that it would invest millions of dollars for improvements to its sewage treatment system. Ten years after the fish kill, officials with the DNR stated that the White River was in better condition than before the environmental disaster. Stones along

2795-499: The area. Among the first projects was the opening of Market Square Arena , which served as home to the Indiana Pacers and host to numerous concerts and other sporting events. The success of Market Square Arena helped persuade decision-makers to make Downtown the center of an aggressive sports tourism strategy. Throughout the 1980s, $ 122 million in public and private funding built several athletic facilities Downtown, including

2860-411: The blocks surrounding Circle Centre Mall in downtown's Wholesale District . Massachusetts Avenue , one of the city's original diagonal streets, is lined with numerous local bars and eateries. Anchoring downtown's Market East district, the Indianapolis City Market features dozens of local food vendors that generally serve lunchtime patrons. Sun King Brewing is located about five blocks east in

2925-503: The campuses include the Herron School of Art and Design , Kelley School of Business , McKinney School of Law , O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs , and the Indiana University School of Medicine , the largest medical school in the U.S. Two public schools belonging to Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) serve the downtown area: Center for Inquiry School 2 and Crispus Attucks High School . In partnership with IPS,

2990-540: The central business district commercial office market contained 11.8 million square feet (1,100,000 m ) of office space, with a direct vacancy rate of 16.9 percent in 2017. Downtown Indianapolis is home to two of the city's three Fortune 500 companies: health insurance company Elevance Health and pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company . Other prominent downtown employers include AES Indiana , Cummins , Rolls-Royce , Indiana University , IU Health , Angi , Barnes & Thornburg , Emmis Corporation ,

3055-473: The city's founding as the state of Indiana's new capital in 1820 near the east bank of the White River . The state legislature appointed Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham to survey and design a town plan for Indianapolis, which was platted in 1821. Ralston's original plan for Indianapolis called for a town of one square mile (2.6 km ) bounded by North, East, South, and West streets (although they were not named at that time), with Governor's Circle ,

3120-492: The city's intercity transportation hub. Amtrak provides intercity rail service via the Cardinal , which makes three weekly trips between New York City and Chicago . Union Station served about 30,000 passengers in 2015. Three intercity bus service providers stop in the city: Greyhound Lines and Burlington Trailways (via Union Station), and Megabus (via City Market ). The Indianapolis Airport Authority operates

3185-545: The city's population soared from 8,091 in 1850 to 169,164 in 1900, urban development expanded in all directions as Indianapolis experienced a building boom and transitioned from an agricultural community to an industrial center. Some of the city's most iconic structures were built during this period, including several that have survived to the present day in Downtown: the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (1888, dedicated 1902),

3250-632: The clearance of working-class neighborhoods. The neighborhoods surrounding Indiana Avenue , the center of the city's African American community, were particularly impacted. The establishment of the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus in 1969 and the construction of Interstate 65 and Interstate 70 in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in large-scale displacement of African Americans. The loss of population and activity Downtown prompted civic leaders to plan for economic development and revitalization of

3315-581: The east fork in the triad of Daviess , Knox , and Pike counties. Along the way it passes by three Indiana state parks: Mounds State Park , near Anderson; White River State Park , in downtown Indianapolis ; and McCormick's Creek State Park , near Spencer . In Indianapolis the Wapahani Trail follows the eastern bank; the Miami tribe had called the river Wapahani , meaning “white sands” or waapikamiiki . The East Fork or Aankwaahsakwa Siipiiwi in

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3380-563: The grounds of Indiana Government Center, see Indiana Statehouse Public Art Collection . Museums and libraries with collections of local, state, and national interest can be found in downtown Indianapolis, including the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana State Museum (both located on the downtown Canal Walk) and the state's largest public library, the Indiana State Library and Historical Bureau ,

3445-510: The native Miami-Illinois language starts in Columbus at the confluence of the Driftwood and Flatrock rivers. The headwaters of the main stem ("West Fork") of the White River are in fact farther east than those of the East Fork. The East Fork flows a total of 192 miles (309 km) generally southwest, passing the city of Seymour , then flowing through rugged terrain before reaching

3510-552: The neighboring Cole-Noble District . Since the 2010s, downtown's Fletcher Place neighborhood emerged as a popular dining destination. Indianapolis's professional sports clubs and facilities are located downtown south of Washington Street , including Gainbridge Fieldhouse (home to the Indiana Fever and the Indiana Pacers ), Lucas Oil Stadium (home to the Indianapolis Colts ), and Victory Field (home to

3575-550: The newest public space downtown, opened in 2023. Note: Entries in italics denote privately-owned parks and plazas or those not under the management of the State of Indiana or the City of Indianapolis. Downtown's northwest quadrant is home to Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis , which were joined together as Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis until July 1, 2024. Notable schools on

3640-503: The number of apartment units Downtown increased 61 percent from 2011 to 2015, with more than 50 percent of new development occurring inside the Mile Square. In 2010, the population of Downtown was 14,664; by 2020, the population had increased to 22,412. Downtown is the densest employment cluster in the state of Indiana. According to Downtown Indy, Inc., in 2021, there were about 154,500 workers. According to Colliers International ,

3705-488: The seats of Indianapolis's local administration and Indiana's state government have been located Downtown. Downtown Indianapolis is also home to the highest density of commercial office space and employment in the state of Indiana. When Indianapolis was founded in 1820, the new capital city was planned to occupy an area of one square mile (2.6 km ) adjacent to the White River and near the geographic center of Marion County . The plat included eastern and western "anchors":

3770-483: The southeast quadrant to accommodate the flow of Pogue's Run, but a plat created in 1831 changed his original design and established a standard grid there as well. Ralston's basic street plan is still evident in present-day Downtown Indianapolis. Streets in the original plat were named after states that were part of the United States when Indianapolis was initially planned, with the addition of Michigan , which

3835-482: The use of these herbicides in the basin. The total amount of the commonly used herbicides transported by the river is about 1% or less of the amount applied to cropland . Insecticides commonly used in urban and agricultural areas also were found but in much lower concentrations than commonly used herbicides. In 1999, the West Fork experienced a massive fish kill that spread for 50 miles (80 km) with an estimated loss of 4.6 million fish (187 tons). The kill

3900-695: The west end of Market Street, houses the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of Indiana's state government, including the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor of Indiana , the Indiana General Assembly , and the Indiana Supreme Court . Administrative offices for several state agencies are located in neighboring buildings, mainly the north and south buildings of the Indiana Government Center . Several federal field offices are located in

3965-403: The world, handling 500 trains daily and 7 million passengers annually. Ultimately doomed by the automobile, the terminal closed in 1941, followed by the streetcar system in 1957. Two of the region's four interstate highways ( Interstate 65 and Interstate 70 ) form an "inner loop" on the north, east, and south sides of downtown Indianapolis. I-65 and I-70 radiate from downtown to connect with

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4030-464: Was a U.S. territory at that time. Tennessee and Mississippi Streets were renamed Capitol and Senate Avenues in 1895 after several state government buildings were built west of the Circle near the Indiana Statehouse . There are a few other exceptions to the early street names. The National Road , which eventually bisected Indiana, passed through Indianapolis along Washington Street , a 120-foot-wide (37 m) east–west street (more recently converted into

4095-551: Was completed in 2011. Ratio Architects, Inc. was the lead architectural firm for the expansion, assisted by other Indiana companies, BSA LifeStructures , Blackburn Architects, and Domain Architecture Inc. Indianapolis-based Shiel Sexton Co. Inc. was the lead construction manager, in association with Powers & Sons Construction Company Inc. In addition to its space, the Indiana Convention Center now possesses 49 loading docks, seven drive-in ramps, and three food courts. It

4160-515: Was constructed on the site of the former RCA Dome, costing $ 275 million. As part of the expansion, an underground walkway along the west side of Capitol Avenue was built to connect this new portion of the facility to Lucas Oil Stadium. A skywalk was also built to connect the convention center with the JW Marriott Indianapolis (via the Government Center Washington Street Parking Facility), which

4225-522: Was traced back to Guide Corp , an automotive parts maker in Anderson , which had discharged 10,000 US gallons (38,000 L) of the chemical HMP 2000 into the river. Guide Corp eventually reached a settlement whereby the company would pay a total of $ 14.2 million in fines, penalties, legal expenses, and river restoration. Many animals that had burrowed into the mud were protected from the chemical, and by March 2000, some fish were naturally returning to

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