June 2008 Monthly Media

Downtown is healthy.

• Office occupancy is at an eight year high; and apartment occupancy is at a 14 year high.
• Office, housing and hotel rates have increased to the highest levels in years.
• Downtown continues to draw residents to shop, dine and be entertained.

Downtown is never finished.

• Downtown as an office center: Increasing Downtown office occupancy levels and rental rates, together with new office inventory outside of Downtown, will increase retention challenges with office space users. IDI’s office working group -- consisting of building managers, brokers and economic development partners -- will continue to capitalize on Downtown’s quality of life, central location and solid business environment to position Downtown as a premier office location.
• Downtown as a destination: Strategic product development and aggressive marketing are essential to continue to elevate Downtown’s competitive position as a first class meeting and leisure destination and expand the customer base. Increased hotel inventory will require aggressive marketing in order to maintain occupancy and room rate levels.
• Downtown as a neighborhood: More people require more services to keep Downtown accessible, convenient, beautiful and safe. IDI’s partnerships will continue to engage public and private sectors and leverage resources to collaboratively do more, better. Customer perceptions indicate that we have to work even harder to provide a quality experience.

Cultural Districts go wireless
The Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission has funded a two-year grant for all six of Indianapolis’ Cultural Districts to offer wireless hot zones. Visitors can enjoy free wireless access in numerous outdoor public spaces in Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave and the Wholesale District. For more details and to see a map of hot zones by district, please visit www.DiscoverCulturalDistricts.com.

Dine Al Fresco Downtown
The warm weather is finally here, and Downtown offers the best places to take advantage of it! With more than 75 sidewalk cafes, everyone will find something to please the taste buds while enjoying the sunshine and breeze. From rooftop dining to patios located in the heart of the hustle and bustle, sidewalk cafes are a great opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal in the sunshine, while seeing the sights and lights of Downtown. Be sure to check out all the Downtown sidewalk cafés at http://www.indydt.com/sidewalkcafes.html!

The sounds of summer
Everyone’s favorite summertime concert series is back! Head to the WhiteLies Lawn at the White River State Park for the concert series kick-off June 2 with Sheryl Crow. Then come back June 14 for Death Cab for Cutie. Also back for the season, Lunchtime Concerts on the Canal! Every Wednesday the Indiana Historical Society will host concerts for all to enjoy. Head to Indiana Avenue June 27 to enjoy Jazz On the Avenue: Al Finnell and the Indy Jazz Men at the Madame Walker Theatre Center.

Enjoy the arts
The art community is bursting with the sights of summer! The Indianapolis Museum of Art will host the Docent Tour: On Procession June 2 and Research Your Artwork June 3. Be sure to visit the IMA again for Summer Nights Films: June 13: Gilda, June 20 This is Spinal Tap and June 27 The Goonies. Visit the Morris-Butler House Museum for Piecing Together an Era: An Exhibit of the 19th Century Quilts June 4. Don’t miss Ruschman Art Gallery’s Summer Exhibitions June 7. For some free fun, head to Talbot Street June 14 and 15 for the Talbot Street Art Fair. Enjoy beautiful, original pieces of art outdoors! If you’re looking for 11 straight hours of artful entertainment, head to the Harrison Center for the Arts June 14 for the Independent Music and Arts Festival. Visit White River State Park for the new, free Family Art Series; June 11 features Indianapolis Children’s Choir and June 28 the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Bill Harley.

Festival Fun Have a taste for strawberries? Don’t miss the Christ Church Cathedral Women’s Strawberry Festival June 12. Enjoy ice cream, strawberry shortcake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream for the works! Bring your appetite for more than 25 different Italian meats, pastas, salads & desserts June 13 & 14 at the Italian Street Festival. Head to Military Park June 13 - 15 for the Indy Jazz Fest presented by Kroger. The three-day musical celebration shines a spotlight on the best in jazz, funk, R&B, blues, gospel and move. Line the streets June 14 for the Indy Pride Parade and Festival. June 21 & 22 mark the annual Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market celebrating Native American art and culture. Meet more than 100 Native artists from more than 50 tribes and enjoy dozens of family activities.

Things to do in the sunshine Get out in the sun with the lions, tigers and bears! Visit the Indianapolis Zoo June 3 for Community Tuesday and June 21 for the start of Elephant Awareness Week and African Lion Appreciation Day. Learn fun facts about your favorite animals! Head to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis June 5 for Target Free Family Night for a fun way to learn and play. Kids Day on the Canal is June 7. Bring the gang to the north end of the Downtown Central Canal for a fun-filled day of family activities.

Woodruff Place Flea Market takes place June 7 & 8 throughout the neighborhood. Head to Monument Circle June 19 for the Marsh Cookout on the Circle. Enjoy great food and support the Boy Scouts! Bring the kids to American Legion Mall June 21 for Let’s Meet PBS Kids in the Park! The free event lets kids interact with their favorite characters from PBS! Check out Civil War History Day Camp at the Morris-Butler House Museum June 23 - 27 where kids can learn about the war that made our country what it is today.

Summer sports Summertime brings America’s favorite pastime! The Indianapolis Indians have a full schedule filled with home games for the month of June. Enjoy a ballpark hotdog and numerous promotions as you watch the home team all summer long! The Indiana Fever will play at home four times this month: June 7, 15, 18 and 24. For some Olympic excitement close to home, visit the Indiana University Natatorium June 18 – 22 for the USA Diving Olympic Team Trials.

Bike Downtown and park for free! With high gas prices, hop on your bike and head Downtown. You can ‘park’ your bike securely in one of 23 FREE BikePorts (46 bikes total) in The Canal & White River State Park district. BikePorts are secure bike lockers located at The National Institute for Fitness and Sport, Indiana Government Center and Merchants Garage. BikePorts eliminate the need for locks and keep your front wheel in tact. Before heading Downtown, create an account at www.bicycleparkingnetwork.com. From there, you can reserve a locker at home or onsite by calling 888.310.7275.

For more information about any of these events or IDI programs, please contact Jennifer at 237.2202 or jhanson@indydt.com or Megan at 237.2207 or megan@indydt.com.