Eastside communities band together to drive revitalization on heels of Super 70 project. March 19, 2007 INDIANAPOLIS – The Emerson Avenue Corridor Gateway Project steering committee has applied for a Federal Transportation Enhancement grant to make significant improvements to Emerson Avenue.

A master plan has been completed for the Emerson Avenue corridor that will create a visual and physical sense of entry from I-70 on Emerson Avenue to south of Washington Street – a total length of approximately 2.5 miles. The grant will help fund the design and construction of the first phase of the project, from I-70 to the 21st Street intersection. Included in this phase are bridge improvements to create a gateway at the interstate and additional access to the Pouges Run Art and Nature Park. The estimated cost of this phase is approximately $1. 2 million. Future phases will continue south on Emerson Avenue to the Pennsy rail corridor, located south of Washington Street.

With the commencement of the Super 70 project, the Emerson Avenue Corridor Gateway Project provides an opportunity for the City of Indianapolis and INDOT to generate goodwill with businesses and residents who are inconvenienced during the interstate reconstruction affecting the near eastside. It will also respond to the demand for revitalization of the community by many eastside residents and institutions.



Street Scene
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The project adds momentum to the revitalization of the eastside community by complementing several other projects including:
· Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative
· Irvington Nation Road Streetscape
· Future bike lanes on Michigan and New York Streets to downtown
· Pleasant Run Trail – Part of the statewide National Heritage Trial and link to the downtown Cultural Trail
· The Eastside Revitalization Area

In addition to creating an entry to eastside neighborhoods, the project will promote walkable communities and enhance multi-modal transportation, including routes and way-finding for pedestrians, bicycles and buses. “A multi-use path will link an amazing number of trails, bike paths, parks, schools and cultural assets”, said committee member Kurt Wiegand. “We are really fortunate to have such great resources and strong community organizations on the eastside that can work together to make this happen.”

The Emerson Avenue Corridor Gateway Project is a grassroots effort of Eastside neighborhoods, businesses and institutions along the project length. Public meetings were held this past summer to gather community input from stakeholders. Representatives from the committee also visited the various community organizations to keep them updated on the project. “Strong support for the Emerson Avenue Corridor Gateway Project has come from the neighborhoods and businesses on each side of Emerson Avenue. This project will be key to ongoing revitalization efforts currently underway on the eastside of town,” said Emerson Avenue Corridor Project Steering Committee Chair, Rebecca Seifert. Don Bailey, president of the Emerson Heights Community Organization shared his thoughts on the project. Bailey says, “We have a picturesque and comfortable neighborhood where we know and enjoy our neighbors as friends. The Emerson Avenue Gateway Project will help people discover Emerson Heights and all the communities along the corridor. The renaissance of the East side will be much strengthened by this project.”

Emerson Heights, a community bounded by Tenth Street to the north, Michigan Street to the south, Linwood Avenue to west and Emerson Avenue to the east, is drawing in new generations eager to take advantage of its quality homes, safe streets, easy access and neighborhood amenities.

The project design team is headed by the landscape architecture firm of CBA, Inc. CBA has considerable experience with successful Transportation Enhancement projects and is also the consulting firm working on the Irvington and Cumberland National Road Streetscapes. Two of the members of the design team live in Irvington, near the Emerson Avenue corridor. Other members of the design team include the engineering firm of Butler, Fairman & Seufert (BF&S) and 2nd Globe Studios, all of Indianapolis.

Transportation Enhancement grants are Federal transportation grant dollars that are administered by the state. In Marion County, community originated TE projects are coordinated with city agencies and then submitted to the Mayor for his signature before being forwarded to INDOT for a statewide competitive selection process.

Concept plans of the entire length are available here.

Hi resolution copies of the concept plans are available by request.

For additional information contact:
Emily Myers 375-1261
e-mail: info@emersonheights.org