Indy announces $3.5M for downtown public safety, cleanliness projects
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As part of the city administration’s renewed push for investment and development downtown, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday that the city will partner with the public-private partnership nonprofit Downtown Indy to invest $3.5 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act money into safety, cleanliness and outreach in the Mile Square.
“Downtown achieved all of this (new development and a return of its convention business) despite the most challenging two and a half years in living memory,” Hogsett said. ”We're here to prepare for an exciting future.”
The money will fund overtime for IMPD bike patrol officers downtown, three new mobile security cameras downtown, and a new Department of Public Works cleaning crew focused specifically on downtown as well as new trash containers to contain litter.
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Small and mid-sized businesses will also have access to a grant program aimed at increasing participation in the city’s b.link security camera system.
Hogsett said the city will spend the money throughout February, ahead of the NBA All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The announcement came moments before Democratic state Rep. Robin Shackleford announced she will run for mayor in 2023. Hogsett, also a Democrat, has yet to announce whether he will seek a third term.
Hogsett told IndyStar he hopes the investment will increase public perception and a sense of safety downtown at a time when residents, especially in Indianapolis’ surrounding counties, view it as having a crime problem. He thinks data doesn't back that view.
The May 2020 racial justice protests downtown worsened public perceptions of downtown safety, he said.
Despite rhetoric that downtown is getting more dangerous, especially during the Marion County prosecutor's race between incumbent Democrat Ryan Mears and Republican opponent Cyndi Carrasco, the mayor and IMPD recently told IndyStar they believe downtown is not a major contributor to crime in the city.
"Downtown is one of the safest places in our city. Downtown accounts for less than 5% of all crime throughout the city of Indianapolis," IMPD Downtown District Cmdr. Phil Burton previously told IndyStar, when Starbucks on Monument Circle announced it was closing due to safety concerns.
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The investment comes from money the city set aside its from $420 million federal largesse in American Rescue Plan funding, intended originally as a safeguard in case revenue replacement was needed for the city budget, the mayor said.
He was joined at Nevermore Union Station for the announcement by City-County Council President Vop Osili, president and CEO of Downtown Indy Taylor Schaffer, and Pacers President Rick Fuson, who is also the chair of the South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan Committee.
The city also touted recent projects totaling $3.8 billion, such as the Elevator Hill campus, the 16 Tech Innovation District, and the Bottleworks District, as signs downtown remains strong.
“Downtown is our city’s front door, and as downtown goes, so goes the rest of our city,” Schaffer said.
Contact IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang at kcheang@indystar.com or 317-903-7071. Follow her on Twitter: @kolyn_cheang.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy announces $3.5M for downtown public safety, cleanliness projects
