Construction begins on the new Broad Ripple Park Family Center
Construction is underway on the new Broad Ripple Park Family Center in Indianapolis. Leaders and residents attend the groundbreaking July 14, 2021.
Jenna Watson, Indianapolis Star
Broad Ripple Avenue, the center of night life and commerce in Midtown, is getting an estimated $6 million facelift next year.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works shared the first glimpses Tuesday of what the revamped avenue may look like: wider sidewalks, less flooding, more lights and greenery, and a new 12-foot-wide multi-use trail connecting the Monon Trail and Primrose Avenue.
In consultation with Lochmueller Group, DPW hopes to complete the design of the project in October, begin construction next spring and wrap it up by fall 2022.
Where is it?
The project stretches on Broad Ripple Avenue from North College Avenue to Primrose Avenue. It also extends a few hundred feet north and south on Guilford Avenue, south on Carrollton Avenue and south on Winthrop Avenue.
What will be done?
DPW wants to address stormwater capacity to reduce flooding, and generally make the avenue more walkable by widening the sidewalks, adding ADA-compliant curbs, adding lighting and greenspace, and building a new multi-use trail to connect with the Monon Trail.
Between College Avenue and Winthrop Avenue, which is just before the Monon, crews will widen the southern sidewalks by 9-and-a-half feet. The existing sidewalks, which will also be replaced, are 3 to 5 feet.
One block along that stretch, from Guilford to Winthrop, will get an extra 6 feet of sidewalk on the north side, too. On those sidewalk sections, DPW envisions putting in permeable pavers, which are lattice-like layers of concrete that allow absorption of stormwater into underground aquifers.
They also want to address flooding with new stormwater treatment structures, manholes and inlets, and roadway underdrains. This stretch may also get ornamental lighting and traffic signal upgrades.
From the Monon Trail to Primrose Avenue, plans call for constructing a 12-foot wide path that accommodates both bikers and walkers, and connects Broad Ripple Park to the IndyGo Red Line station at College Avenue.
All existing IndyGo bus stops will remain in place but get improvements, according to the plan.
The avenues extending north and south of Broad Ripple Avenue will also get stormwater upgrades.
The project also proposes adding 58 parking meters, mostly along Carrollton Avenue and East Westfield Boulevard.
What does this mean for local traffic?
DPW is exploring two options.
The first is a one-and-done closure the stretch from College to Winthrop Avenues, lasting 4 months, with pedestrian detours.
The second would be to build in phases so that the whole stretch is not closed at once, but would last 9 months and two constructions seasons and involve changing pedestrian access.
Project managers estimate the first option would save $100,000.
Construction of the multi-use trail from the Monon to Primrose Avenue would not require road closures.
How do I submit feedback?
Send comments to Jenelle Bunton, public information officer for DPW, at jenelle.bunton@indy.gov or 317-327-2311.
See more renderings and information here or at indy.gov/activity/major-transportation-projects.
Contact IndyStar transportation reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.