shelby st. : inventory and analysis

fountain square

about

Fountain Square is a funky Indianapolis neighborhood located Southeast of Downtown Indianapolis. The neighborhood is designated as one of the city’s six cultural districts and has one of Indiana’s fi rst Main Street programs. Residents of this vibrant live/work community are artists and designers, musicians, and professionals. Attractions in Fountain Square include vintage/retro shops, restaurants, and live music/entertainment.

history

In 1835, the 264-acre farm plat that would become the Fountain Square neighborhood was purchased. Twenty-fi ve years later, Virginia Ave. emerged as the south side’s commercial corridor. In 1864, the Citizen’s Street Railway Company established tracks on Virginia Ave. and located a turnaround at the intersection of Virginia Ave., Shelby St., and Prospect St.. Soon after, the neighborhood became known as “the End” by residents. The sparse residential community experienced rapid commercial growth with the infl ux of German immigrants in the 1870s (discoverfountainsquare.com). Fountain Square has a rich theatrical heritage. From 1910 to 1950, the neighborhood had more operating theaters than any other area in Indianapolis.

zoning

education

The University of Indianapolis is the only institution with education zoning along the Shelby St. corridor. Nearby schools should be provided with education zoning to form campuses. The University of Indianapolis doesn’t address Shelby St.. Campus boundaries are abrupt, discouraging interactions between the university and neighboring communities. Campus boundaries should be extended along the Shelby St. corridor to improve the relationship between the university and the street.

parks

Green space is concentrated in the northern portion of the Shelby St. corridor in Garfi eld Park and Pleasant Run Parkway. However, green space should be provided throughout the Shelby St. corridor. Garfi eld Park does a poor job of addressing the street. Recreational areas should be modifi ed to better communicate with the street.

industrial

While industry plays an integral role in the local economy, some of these industrial areas have proven unsuccessful. Dying industrial areas should be eliminated and returned to the public for alternative use. Places and spaces should be located along the Shelby St. corridor to provide workers with the opportunity to live, work, and play. Industrial areas along the Shelby St. corridor confl ict with surrounding land uses. These areas should be buffered with green space to avoid these confl icts.

commercial

The high-density of commercially-zoned parcels along the Shelby St. corridor could offer opportunities for commercial growth. However, too much retail could be unsuccessful and lead to empty buildings. Retail areas should be located appropriately to benefi t area residents.

residential

Residential areas along Shelby St. are constructed in the bungalow style and are home to blue-collar workers and their families. Most of these residential areas are occupied by single-family homes. Multi-family housing in the form of apartments, townhomes, and live/work communities should be provided to encourage young professionals and their families to move into the area.

circulation

greenways

Formal greenways intersecting with Shelby St. have the potential to attract visitors to the area and offer commuting opportunities for area residents. However, they aren’t visible from the street. Informational and directional aids should be provided to help increase use and awareness. Further, wide sidewalks should be provided to serve as informal greenways to encourage use of the Shelby St. corridor.

bicycle

Bicycle paths along Shelby St. play an important role in moving people along the corridor. Yet, the inconsistency in the design of these bike paths creates confusion and detracts from their functionality. Consistent elements should be implemented to help improve these bicycle paths. Potential destination points should be provided for users.

red line

The new Red Line will offer safe and effi cient public transit from the University of Indianapolis to downtown Indianapolis along the Shelby St. corridor. The Red Line will eventually connect to other bus lines across Indianapolis and neighboring communities. This eBRT line will be the fi rst of its kind in any city in the United States. Station opportunities along Shelby St. include UIndy, Troy Ave., Southern Ave., Raymond St., and Virginia Ave. in Fountain Square. Station confi guration and amenities will be based on a stop-by-stop basis.

water

main, storm, and sewer

The main, storm, and sewer lines follow road infrastructure along the Shelby St. corridor. Water loads on storm and sewer lines are heavy, and it isn’t unusual for streets to fl ood during storms. New street infrastructure should utlize vegetative buffers to collect and treat stormwater and reduce pipe loads.

fl oodplains and contours

Bean Creek and Pleasant Run Creek are the two major waterways along the Shelby St. corridor. Smaller waterways also exist along the corridor. Contours indicate that water fl ows to fl oodplains occupied by these waterways. While Pleasant Run Creek has been treated in an ecologically sensitive manner, Bean Creek and the smaller waterways haven’t. Generous vegetative corridors should be established around these waterways to help remove contaminants and cleanse the water. Buildings and other built infrastructure should be limited within these areas to increase ecological sensitivity.

demographics

Neighborhoods along the Shelby St. corridor are “Nascar” communities primarily occupied by white, blue-collar workers living in middle-class homes. The area is characterized by low drug and violent crime.

garfi eld park

history

Garfi eld Park, the oldest park in Indianapolis, was established in 1889. The park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has a rich history. In 1871, the land was owned by racing promoters operating the Southern Riding Park, which offered track harness racing events. However, the park was too far from the city to be a success. Two years later, the park was purchased by the city and leased to the Indiana Trotting Association. However, this also failed (historicindianapolis.com). Southern Park was established in1876. The park was renamed Garfi eld Park following President James Garfi eld’s assassination in 1881. The 128-acre park was improved between 1900 and 1910 with the addition of multi-modal circulation paths and recreational opportunities. George Kessler was commissioned to create a plan for the parks system in 1908. (historicindianapolis.com).

amenities

Amenities at Garfi eld Park include a conservatory, sunken gardens, an arts center, an outdoor pool, a variety of sports courts, a walking trail, a gym, playgrounds, and a sledding hill. The park is also home to the Garfi eld Park branch of the Indianapolis Public Library.

university of indianapolis

about

The University of Indianapolis, otherwise known as UIndy, is a private collegiate institution founded in 1902. Approximately 5,400 students are enrolled at the university. UIndy has strong ties with the University Heights neighborhood, located just south of campus (uindy.edu).

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special use

education

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6 university of indianapolis

5 “no man’s land”

4

3 garfi eld park north

1 fountain square

bean creek

pleasant run creek

emma donnan m.s.

central catholic school

eleanor skillen e.s.

christel house academy

s.e. neighborhood school of excellence

fountain square academy

to emmerich manual h.s.

to lilly recreation park

to lilly corporate campus

garfi eld park south

2 fountain square south

1/2 mile walk radius from red line bus stop