Downtown IN Depth 2011

Quarter 2

In this special edition of Inside INdiana Business, we'll take an in-depth look into the economy, events, and sports in the city of Indianapolis. We'll also reveal details of an economic indicators report from Indianapolis Downtown Inc.

A new report from our partners at Indianapolis Downtown Inc. shows things are looking up for the city. Projects and investments increased last year and our panel of city executives discuss the happenings in downtown Indianapolis. Watch Video

Indianapolis Downtown Inc. President Tamara Zahn and ISO President and CEO Simon Crookall provide perspective on IDI's economic indicators report. Watch Video

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis Indians have a combined 225 years in Indianapolis. We'll take a closer look at Indy's sports industry and how these two organizations have survived over time. Watch Video

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Our quarterly Downtown IN Depth special looks at some major developments in downtown Indianapolis.

Just this week, the Indiana Convention Center opened its multi-million dollar expansion and the finishing touches are being put on the world’s largest JW Marriott. We’ll have an outlook on many of the big projects and events coming to the Circle City this year. Watch Video

Downtown Indianapolis has some 87 projects announced or underway worth over $3 billion to be completed in the next four years AND over 19 projects were added in just the last 6 months... a sign the building economy is starting to improve downtown? Watch Video

A multi-million dollar gift from philanthropists Bill and Gayle Cook of Bloomington is allowing a partial restoration of the former Central Avenue United Methodist Church in Indianapolis to serve as Indiana Landmarks' new state headquarters and cultural performance center, opening in April 2011. The new center will elevate its presence among the state's arts and cultural institutions. Watch Video

Downtown IN Depth 2010

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Following aggressive public input period and technical study, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is releasing $55 million in street, sidewalk and bridge projects across the county. This boost to the city’s construction program will mean work for local firms and jobs for residents. Watch Video

This week, Indianapolis got the chance to shine on a national stage as the CEOs for Cities program kicked off its US Livability Challenge in the Circle City. Experts from around the country got the visit Indianapolis to offer thoughts on make our city more "livable." Watch Video

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard joins Tamara Zahn of Indianapolis Downtown Inc and Scott Travis of the Buckingham Companies for an in-depth discussion on downtown Indianapolis. We'll discuss the major projects ahead for the city, the Monument Circle scoping project and more. Watch Video

Sports play a central role in downtown Indianapolis and the Indiana Pacers are beginning another season, this year with nationally known Clark Kellogg at the helm of player relations. Kellogg joins us in-studio with more. Watch Video

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Going Green and Living Green in Downtown Indianapolis. Downtown IN Depth, our quarterly partnership with Indianapolis Downtown Inc, is highlighting the sustainability efforts in downtown Indianapolis and the green growth of the residential market.

Travis Vencel, Trinitas Ventures
Jim Crossin, Flaherty and Collins
Scott Travis, Buckingham Companies
Indianapolis Downtown Inc says more than 2,800 new townhomes, condos, single family homes and apartments were built in the last decade. Nearly 3,000 more new homes will be completed by 2013 many of these green as well with some projects renovating unused buildings and trying to obtain LEED certification.
Watch Video

Terry Sweeney, Indianapolis Downtown Inc.
Annie Hamilton, Century 21 Scheetz
Brokers and realtors are working together to host Third Thursday open houses at for-sale and for-rent properties. More than 10 brokers and realtors are partnering on this event showcasing real estate to buyers who are empty nesters, young professionals and recent transfers. Watch Video

Mary McConnell, Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is hoping for a platinum LEED certification for its new “green” headquarters. The two-story office building is nearly 100 percent sustainable in terms of energy and waste reduction. If the building does receive platinum status, it would become the ONLY building in Indiana to achieve that certification. Watch Video

Tamara Zahn, Indianapolis Downtown Inc.
Denny Sponsel, RJE Business Interiors
Creating a walkable, pedestrian friendly downtown that boosts quality of life is one of the key efforts of Indianapolis Downtown Inc. Watch Video

Quarter 1

Indianapolis gets to experience another shining moment as it welcomes back the 2010 Final Four. This national event is estimated to have an economic impact of $25-35 million, some are even saying up to $50 million for the city as it welcomes nearly 45,000 out-of-state basketball fans. In this special edition, we'll take a look at the event from different angles, including the entertainment scheduled and what hosting an event like this to means to IUPUI and the Indiana Historical Society.

Jim Isch, Interim President, NCAA
Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in championships in Divisions I, II and III sports led by the non-profit NCAA which has been headquartered in downtown Indianapolis for over 10 years. The partnership between the NCAA and the city of Indianapolis has spurred a regular rotation of championships being held in the Circle City. Watch Video

Bob Whitt, Executive Director, White River State Park
The NCAA Hall of Champions lies on the grounds of White River State Park, Indiana's only urban state park. Along with Lucas Oil Stadium, the park will be the center of Final Four action, including hosting the FREE Final Four weekend concert series featuring Stone Temple Pilots, Daughtry, Darius Rucker and the Goo Goo Dolls. Watch Video

Bruce White, Chairman/CEO, White Lodging
A recent Ball State University study says the economic impact of the Final Four is about a tenth of the upcoming Super Bowl in 2012. One of the major developments currently under construction to handle that increase in visitors is the Marriott Place in downtown Indianapolis and its marquee hotel, the JW Marriott. This $450 million development is being personally funded by entrepreneur Dean White of Merrillville-based White Lodging. Watch Video

Charles Bantz, IUPUI Chancellor
Events like the Final Four set Indianapolis on a national and even international stage during the tournament which can help attract investment and jobs to the city. IUPUI is downtown Indianapolis' largest tenant and recently embarked on a $1.1 billion capital campaign to create one of the largest health campuses in the world. Watch Video

Dr. JT Finnell, IU School of Medicine
Indiana received a $10.3 million federal grant for efforts to increase health information technology and Marion and Hamilton Counties are the first places in the country to connect its paramedics to an electronic medical records network allowing access to a patient's records before they even get to the hospital. This electronic medical records network can be key for large events like the Final Four and the Super Bowl. Watch Video

Jeff Matsuoka, VP of Business and Operations
Indiana Historial Society
As more than 45,000 out-of-state visitors flood downtown Indianapolis for the Final Four, area attractions are welcoming the boost in business. A recent report from Indianapolis Downtown Inc shows annual attendance at major Downtown leisure attractions has increased by 78 percent since 1994. One of the newest attractions to launch in downtown is the Indiana Experience at the Indiana Historical Society. Watch Video

Tamara Zahn, President, Indianapolis Downtown Inc.
Turner Woodard, Entrepreneur/Owner, Canterbury Hotel
Bob Whitt, Executive Director, White River State Park
Each week a group of INsiders joins Gerry Dick to offer opinions on the week's top stories. This week, we have an in depth discussion on future business development and the potential for more national events like the Final Four coming to Indianapolis. Watch Video

Gary Roberts, Dean, IU School of Law Indianapolis
Julie Roe, Director of Enforcement, NCAA
Only a few city blocks separate the NCAA's national headquarters and Indiana University's Indianapolis Law School, but the working relationship between the two is even closer than that. Bill Benner takes a closer look at the dynamic. Watch Video

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