Investing in the Southside

Dr. Beverley J. Pitts
The following opinion piece appeared in The Indianapolis Star March 29, 2007.

The city's recent decision to begin corridor studies of two Southside roadways is good news in a series of developments that bode well for the residents of this proud and vital area.

On the radar is a section of Keystone Avenue from I-65 south to about Hanna Avenue, and a stretch of Shelby Street roughly from Troy Avenue south to Madison Avenue. The city is gathering input from residents and other stakeholders along both corridors to identify barriers to development and visions for the future.

As a permanent resident of the Southside that beckons individuals from around the nation and world to live and study here, the University of Indianapolis shares the excitement of homeowners and business leaders over the city's attention to our neighborhood, once a bustling gateway to the city.

The city's investment of $8 million in infrastructure improvements along the East Street/ US 31 corridor inspired businessman Jeff Cardwell to form the Gateway Business Alliance last year with 10 area partners, including UIndy, to focus continued attention and resources on the stretch of Madison Avenue dubbed the "Miracle Mile" – from Raymond Street south to I-465. The partners funded a study to create a vision for this very special thoroughfare, once home to the landmark Tee Pee restaurant and Key West Shrimp House.

The resulting plan proposes development standards; pedestrian and bike pathways; linkages to Garfield Park, trails and other amenities; and aesthetic improvements such as landscaping, decorative poles and intersection upgrades. The triangle of land where Madison and U.S. 31 converge will become a focal point for the area, with landscaping and brick markers heralding the Southside Gateway.

Now the tough work has begun. In order for this vision to become a reality, it will take more than the 11 leaders who started this initiative. A groundswell of area business and civic leaders, with additional support from the city, is needed to generate the resources to make the gateway a dream come true.

We are contributing the part-time services of two staff members, a secretary and an intern to support the Gateway Business Alliance. Our vision is that one day the Miracle Mile will be as much discussed and visited as the cultural arts district of Massachusetts Avenue, and as recognizable to the rest of the city as Speedway or Broad Ripple.

Why should the university care? As we build our regional reputation – even international visibility – we remain grounded here. The saying, "Think globally, act locally," embodies our philosophy. Faculty and students from other nations, from out of state and from around Indiana settle in our community to work or study at UIndy. They volunteer at area schools, youth clubs, and health facilities, and are engaged in countless community service projects. We also have significant outreach in Fountain Square – another gem of the Southside. Being a citizen of the world starts with being a good neighbor.

We are pleased by the mayor's demonstrated commitment to the Southside. It is my hope that UIndy's active participation in the alliance, as a major employer of the area, and the leadership of the other founding members, will inspire broader involvement and additional financial resources, creating a Southside gateway that will make the city proud.