Next Brown Bag Lunch: Tues., July 28

Wondering what's going on with all of this construction?

Curious about how the Cultural Trail is progressing? 

Bring your lunch and join us for the next brown bag lunch meeting on Tues., July 28 from noon to 1 p.m. in the English Foundation Building, 615 N. Alabama St., Efroymson Board Room on the first floor.

Construction Updates

The Northeast and North Corridors are currently under construction. Here's what's happening on both construction sites over the next couple weeks:

NORTHEAST CORRIDOR (connecting North and Alabama streets through the Mass Ave cultural district to the Monon Trail on 10th St.)

• TRAFFIC ALERT: East-bound 10th St. is closed from College Ave. to Bellefontaine St. today (Thurs., July 23) only until 5 p.m.
• Poured concrete sidewalk and PCCP on northside of 10th St.
• Installing light vault for "Chatham Passage" in alley
• Pouring walk on New Jersey and Walnut streets
• Pouring curb on Walnut St. and the northwest side of Bellefontaine St. and Mass Ave
• Preparing for asphalt walk on 10th St. and on northwest side of Bellefontaine St. and Mass Ave
• Tearing out Mass Ave by the alley and starting sub-grade
• Installing steel beams for "Prairie Modules 1 & 2"
• Installing sub-grade and curb at College Ave. and Mass Ave.
• Pouring concrete walk on Walnut St. and College Ave.

NORTH CORRIDOR (connecting North and Alabama streets to Indiana Ave. and Blackford St.)
photo: the sidewalk northwest of the Urban League on Indiana Ave has been removed.

• Laying brick on Walnut St. from Meridian St. to Senate Ave.
• Installing sewer pipes on St. Clair St. from Martin Luther King Dr. to Indiana Ave.
• Pouring curb and gutter on Indiana Ave.

Mass Ave Criterium Seeks Sponsors, Spectators, Volunteers

SAVE THE DATE: The Mass Ave Criterium bicycling race, presented by NUVO, will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the heart of the Mass Ave cultural district.

Congratulations to the NUVO/Cultural Trail cycling team on winning the state championships last weekend. (Photo:  NUVO cyclist and Indiana State Criterium champion Aaron Hubbell - Photo courtesy of Truesport.com) See our home team compete against other cyclists from around the Midwest, racing by you at 25 to 35 mph competing for cash and prizes up to $7,500.  Race heats include Men 1/2/3, Men 3, Men 4/5, Masters 35+, Masters 45+, Women Open and a free kids' race.

Route: the 400 block of Mass Ave to East St. to Vermont St. with the start/finish line on Mass Ave between the Chatterbox and Hoaglin To Go Cafe & Market.
Race Headquarters: The Athenaeum and Rathskeller -  registration, the awards ceremony and refreshments from the Rathskeller biergarten.
Free showers for participating cyclists at the YMCA at the Athenaeum
Free Pedal and Park corrals from the Indianapolis Fire Department parking lot
Free kids' bicycle safety rodeo presented by Bicycle Indiana

THANK YOU SPONSORS: Bicycle Garage Indy, Chatterbox/Nurture/Luna Music, New Belgium Brewing, Marian University, The Rudy Project, and Heal Thyself. 

Volunteers are needed for the pedal and park, providing security along the race course and helping children with the bicycle safety rodeo. Perks?  Free T-shirt and warm feelings for being a generous person!  Contact Sarah Myer for volunteer registration.

Sponsorships are still available and proceeds benefit the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Mass Ave Merchants Association.  It's a great way to position your organization with downtown dwellers and people who enjoy healthy, fitness-oriented living.
Download flyers and sponsorship information or for more information contact Gail Payne, 317.713.3333, gail@indyculturaltrail.org or Kevin McKinney, 317.254.2400, kmckinney@nuvo.net.
All cyclists are welcome.  Register to race www.Truesport.com.

Longest Dinner Supports Cultural Trail

The Longest Dinner is back!  It sold out quickly last year, so get your tickets soon. (photo: The Longest Dinner was held in the Efroymson Alley behind Scholar's Inn and Chatham Tap in 2008.)

Thursday August 13, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Tickets $50.00 per person includes a three-course sit-down dinner prepared slow-food style, cash bar, IndyFringe buskers, live music and more.
Where: IndyFringe Building on the Fringe of Mass Ave, St. Clair St. and College Ave.
Tickets: www.IndyFringe.org

Proceeds benefit The IndyFringe Building and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
Thanks to Chef Thom England and Slow Food Indiana, Ice Miller, Monarch Beverages, Hoosier Wine and Spirits, One Hope Winery, California, Edibles Market, Irvington, Harvest Market and Deli and Clay Terrace for their continued support of The Longest Dinner.

Support Businesses Impacted by Construction

Looking for a great place for lunch, dinner, a special gift or video? Follow the orange cones to visit the locally-owned businesses most impacted by the Cultural Trail construction.

Photo: Traffic travels one-way northeast towards the shops at the east end of Mass Ave.