Kicking Off the North Corridor, Fri., June 26

Join us this Friday, June 26 
10:45 a.m., the AutoVault, 705 N. Illinois Street
(northeast corner of Walnut St. and Illinois St.)
Parking is available in the lot just north of the AutoVault along Illinois Street.

This next phase of construction is already well underway (Photo: Walnut St. looking east from Illinois St.). The one mile North Corridor connects North and Alabama streets to the American Legion Mall, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, the Canal, Ransom Place historic neighborhood and the Indiana Avenue cultural district.

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) President Brian Payne will be joined by Joseph Slash, president of the Indianapolis Urban League, Randy Jones, Ransom Place resident and president of the BOS CDC, Marianne Glick, daughter of Gene and Marilyn Glick, and Mayor Greg Ballard to announce a new $2 million cultural destination along the Trail and more than $300,000 in new gifts towards the $55 million budget.

More information will be available Friday afternoon on our Web site: www.IndyCulturalTrail.org.

Northeast Corridor Coming Along

Construction along the Northeast Corridor, connecting Alabama and North streets through the Mass Ave cultural district to the Monon Trail at 10th St., continues to make progress. (Photo: The concrete pads on North St. await "Prairie Modules 1 & 2" by M12.)

Recent developments include:

North, New Jersey, and Walnut Streets
-- pouring curb on New Jersey St.
-- curb poured on North St.; adding sub-grade for pavers

Mass Ave., Park Ave. and Alley
-- installing storm-sewer piping

Mass Ave., College Ave and St. Clair St.
-- working on the bumpout and preparing for storm-sewer installation

Mass Ave. and Davidson St.
- tearing up sidewalk to prepare for storm-sewer install

Support Businesses Impacted by Construction

Looking for a great place for lunch, dinner or a special gift? 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.

Worth the Wait

A steady flow of cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers are seen regularly enjoying the finished first half-mile of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail from North St. to Market St. on Alabama St. They are a constant reminder that the Cultural Trail is worth the wait!

Photo: Beautiful yellow daylillies create a sea of bright color along the Cultural Trail on Alabama St.

Trail Blazers to Tour the Trail, Sat., July 25

When you give $100 or more, you become a member of "Trail Blazers," a friends of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail group. Members receives a special T-shirt and invitations to members-only events throughout the year.

Give today and join us for the next Trail Blazer event:
A bike tour of the Cultural Trail led by Brian Payne
Sat., July 25, 10 a.m. to noon
Beginning and ending from the English Foundation Building, northeast corner of North and Alabama streets

Already a Trail Blazer? RSVP to Gail Payne, 317.713.3333 or e-mail Gail@IndyCulturalTrail.org. The first two to register may opt to take a Segway! 

Photo: Brian (third from right) leads a tour to the Monon Trail terminus at 10th St.

Volunteers, sponsors needed for Mass Ave Criterium

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail 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. (Photo: Cyclists race to the finish line on Mass Ave.)

See European-style racing up close and personal as cyclists from around the Midwest race by you at 25 to 35 mph competing for cash prizes up to $5,000. Race heats include Men 1/2/3, Men 3/4, Men 4/5, Women Open and a free kids race.

The route will run from the 400 block of Mass Ave to East Street to Vermont Street with the start/finish line on Mass Ave between the Chatterbox and Hoaglin To Go Cafe & Market. The Athenaeum and Rathskeller will be race headquarters, offering registration, the awards ceremony and refreshments from the Rathskeller biergarten. The YMCA at the Athenaeum will offer free showers for participating cyclists and the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) will provide emergency services. The free Pedal and Park corrals and a free kids bicycle safety rodeo presented by Bicycle Indiana will also be stationed in the IFD parking lot off Mass Ave.

Volunteers are needed for the pedal and park, providing security along the race course and helping children with the bicycle safety rodeo.  Please contact Sarah Myer at NUVO to register to volunteer.

Sponsorships are still available and proceeds benefit the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Mass Ave Merchants Association. For more information contact Gail Payne, 317.713.3333, gail@indyculturaltrail.org or Kevin McKinney, 317.254.2400, kmckinney@nuvo.net.