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8 Indy developments to watch out for in 2023

The Bicentennial Unity Plaza Entertainment Complex will sit in between an existing building + the arena. | Rendering via RATIO Design and City of Indianapolis

It’s hard to ignore all the construction projects popping up around the city. Whether they’re long-anticipated renovations to historic buildings or brand new bus lines, 2023 is shaping up to be the “Year of the Build” and we’re sharing updates on some of the most impactful projects.

Bicentennial Unity Plaza

Major progress is being made to this outdoor project, set to be complete early this year. In addition to the community basketball court, outdoor public space, and local artwork, there will be an entertainment complex with three levels, including a restaurant, a speakeasy, and an event space.

Pan Am Plaza

Two hotels, 50,000 sqft of meeting space, a skybridge, and more than 1,400 rooms are the headliners for this downtown project connected to the Indiana Convention Center. It’s expected to be completed by early 2026.

Purple Line

The bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will connect Indy to Lawrence is speeding ahead, with a completion date sometime in 2024. You can stay up-to-date on the construction forecast at IndyGo’s website.

Fall Creek Pavilion

Expected to open this summer, the project to renovate the nearly century-old Swine Barn at the state fairgrounds is expected to total $50 million.

Cole Motor Redevelopment

$120 million is going into the transformation of the Marion County Jail II and Arrestee Processing Center sites with apartments, a dog park, an early childhood center, retail space, and a concert venue. Construction is set to start early this year.

Elanco Headquarters

After breaking ground last year, it should take about 2-3 years to complete the new state-of-the-art campus for the animal health company. More than $100 million will go into the 40-acre site that’s planned to contribute to the expansion of the White River State Park area.

Elevator Hill

The area that used to be home to Angie’s List’s campus is undergoing construction that’s expected to continue for the next 10 years with a price tag of $250 million. Expect to see office and retail space, 500 units of multifamily housing, parking garages, and street improvements.

Historic Stutz Building

You might have already seen the progress being made on this landmark dating back to 1911 at one of its local vendor markets this winter. The $60 million revitalization that could also involve hundreds of new apartments is expected to take several years to complete.

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Monday, Jan. 9

Homeschool Monday: Natural Disasters | Monday, Jan. 9 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $12 | Bring the kiddos to this two-hour class, where they’ll explore the science behind a variety of natural disasters that can happen in the Hoosier State.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Game Night Social | Tuesday, Jan. 10 | 6-9 p.m. | The Garage Food Hall, 906 Carrollton Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Flex your social muscles and roll the dice at this weekly tabletop game night by Great Legs Wine Bar.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Flyin’ West | Wednesday, Jan. 11-Sunday, Feb. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $25 | Watch the story of four female African American homesteaders unfold as they fight the unforgiving wilderness and deadly threats of the Old West.

Thursday, Jan. 12

Dance Kaleidoscope Wonders Of The World | Thursday, Jan. 12-Sunday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University, Indianapolis | $35-$50 | Catch “Wonders of the World,” a choreographed dance with stunning costumes, engaging music and “movement that will leave you at the edge of your seat.”

Friday, Jan. 13

Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks | Friday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | $9-$214 | Catch rookie Bennedict Mathurin — who just signed a multi-year shoe deal with Adidas — at this Pacers game.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

44º | Partly cloudy | 8% chance of rain

Development

A $25 million facility for the Marion County coroner’s office is expected to begin construction this year. The office has needed to store some decedents in an off-site facility because of a lack of space and the new facility should quadruple storage abilities. It will sit on the east side’s Community Justice Center campus. 🏗️ (IndyStar)

Coming Soon

Downtown is getting a new independent bookstore. Tomorrow Bookstore is planning to open on Mass Ave. this spring and is currently crowdfunding to make it happen. Invest in the local biz or buy one of its books online. Its exact location will be announced soon. 📚

Trending

Troy Pepper — who’s in his second year as PA announcer for the Pacers — has gone viral. A dunk video has garnered over two million views across social media, thanks to Troy’s reaction. The Pacers’ record is the top improvement in the NBA this season, so we suggest you catch a game before it’s over. 🏀 (WISH)

Edu

Mooove over, hamster. There’s a new class pet. Eleanor Skillen School 34 adopted a calf from a northern Indiana farm for its classroom. The cow, Natalie, has been teaching students about how she was born, how much she weighs, and her role on a dairy farm.🐄 (WRTV)

Shows

A bunch of kid-friendly shows are coming out of the TV and onto an Indy stage this year. Disney on Ice, The Magic School Bus, Blippi, Paw Patrol Live, Bluey, and Pout-Pout Fish will all be visiting various stages around the city. Get the details. 🚌 (IndyStar)

Travel

Delta Airlines announced it will offer free WiFi on about 80% of its flights as soon as Wednesday, Feb. 1. Start planning your flights with our guide to Indy’s airport. 🛩️

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: INDYtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. 🍽️ *

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Hey ho, let’s go

A museum dedicated to punk rock could be coming to Indy

Greg was able to catch The Ramones when they played IU Auditorium. | Gif via Giphy

In the words of The Ramones, music fans will be “forming in a straight line” and “losing their minds” at this new museum concept on the city’s north side.

Greg Brenner — who founded Punk Rock Night in Indy in 2000 — is retiring from his day job at IUPUI next month and wants to use his free time to put all his punk memorabilia in one place. He plans to transform his former T-shirt screen-printing biz two doors south of The Melody Inn into a museum space. It would house the records, CDs, shirts, posters, and punk souvenirs he’s collected over the years.

Fun fact: Punk Rock Night claims to be the longest-running weekly punk showcase on the planet. You can catch the next one at The Melody Inn this Saturday, Jan. 14 at 9 p.m., where Bomb Cats, Sonora, and Nevernew will be taking the stage.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anna.

Editor’s pick: Think a punk rock museum sounds a little weird? What about a museum dedicated to miniatures or tiny Statues of Liberty? Check out our roundup of unusual spots around the city.

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Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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