On Friday September 25, the IBJ reported that a coalition of Indianapolis business, civic and institutional leaders is developing an ambitious plan to reshape downtown’s west side, including a near-complete reworking of West Street and major changes to the street’s connections with Interstates 65 and 70. The concept calls for lowering sections of West Street, recessing portions of the interstates at the two gateways and building streets, pedestrian connections and public spaces above some of the roadways. Led by the Indy Chamber, the coalition is fleshing out its vision and soon could face the formidable task of getting buy-in from the state, the city, two major universities, some of Indy’s biggest employers and other property owners.

This might be a tough one to get your arms around, so this week’s podcast features two interviews with people who were close to the process of conceptualizing the so-called Downtown West Innovation District. IBJ Editor Lesley Weidenbener sat down with Matt Mindrum, the CEO of the Indy Chamber, to discuss the big picture, the potential economic benefit and the complex vision for financing the project. Then you’ll hear podcast host Mason King’s interview with Brenda Freije, president and CEO of the transit-focused nonprofit Rethink Coalition, about specific changes proposed for four sections of West Street.

This summer is an exciting time for Rethink. With the recent Southeast Gateway Reconnecting Communities Planning Study results published, work focuses towards West St. the fourth leg of the interstate Inner Loop that was never built. Also, a new study from the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and a podcast that examines what cities across America are doing with their aging, 75-year-old urban interstates and how communities are rethinking and rebuilding.

A coalition of civic leaders today released a bold vision for reimagining a key section of Downtown Indianapolis’ highway system to pave the way for increased economic development, better connectivity, and increased safety and quality of life. A new report from the City of Indianapolis, Indy Chamber, and Rethink Coalition on the I-65/I-70 Southeast Gateway Planning Study calls for recessing and capping critical portions of the interstate between Washington and Prospect streets to the north and south and East and Shelby streets to the west and east.

The Rethink Coalition invites residents, community leaders, and advocates to join Workshop 3: Shaping the Vision, the final community engagement event in the USDOT-funded Southeast Gateway Reconnecting Communities Study. This is a pivotal opportunity for community members to help shape the future of one of Indianapolis’s most transformative infrastructure projects.

The state’s transportation agency recently released a draft of its two-year “ProPEL Indy” study, which seeks to gather public input to inform the next two decades of investment in our interstate system.

Particular attention is given to downtown Indianapolis, given the critical condition of its infrastructure and the potential impact of investment in the economic engine of our city, region and state.

As the Indiana Department of Transportation considers its path forward, we must reframe the conversation. This is not a roads project. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest boldly in infrastructure that will unlock the next 50 years of growth and development in our region.

Rethink Coalition is encouraged that ProPEL has retained the recessed option as one of the transformative alternatives under consideration for the I-65/I-70 Inner Loop. We look forward to working with INDOT, the State, the City of Indianapolis, and key stakeholders to chart a clear path toward implementing the transformative alternatives in the ProPEL Report.

Read Rethink Coalition’s full response to the September 2025 ProPEL Indy Draft Alternatives Identification and Screening Report

The Rethink Coalition is excited to announce the launch of its first workshop related to the Southeast Gateway Planning Study. This initiative has been made possible by a highly competitive $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through their Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program. This inaugural federal initiative aims to address the long-term impacts of past transportation infrastructure decisions.