A new development project will transform a significant portion of downtown Indianapolis. The Coal Motor Redevelopment will move to the site of the old Marion County Jail II.
Long before he was jailed, there was an automaker in the property along the I-65/I-70 split in downtown Indianapolis. The new project is named after the Coal Motor Car Company of the early 20th century and will feature mixed-use development.
The City of Indianapolis announced that the $120 million project will be led by 1820 Ventures. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said it would replace the corridor connecting downtown and the Near East Side.
“This campus will focus on housing, entertainment, neighborhood retail and educational opportunities,” Hogsett said.
The first expansion for Vogue will take the space to a new music venue. New apartments and an education component will also be included.
The Metropolitan Development Department will likely propose a new TIF district and the number of affordable housing units will be linked to that request.
The DMD sent out a request earlier this year for proposals for this site and other major redevelopment efforts as part of the city’s downtown core resilience plans.
Indianapolis City-County Council Vice President Zach Adamson (D-17) said the area will serve as an important connector.
“Situated on the Downtown Off Ramp and a strong presence on the most-traveled portion of the highway in the state of Indiana, this is a coveted opportunity we can’t afford to lose,” Adamson said.
Bid winners 1820 Ventures went through an extensive community engagement effort to help determine wants and needs. The project heads to the Near East and intersects with other investments along the planned Indigo Blue Line that will run along Washington Street between Cumberland and Indianapolis International Airport.