INDIANAPOLIS — City leaders are giving us a new look at what's happening in downtown Indianapolis, reporting progress as well as room for improvement.
The region is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, but leaders said things are looking up.
Downtown Indy, Inc. said there's been a 46% residential increase in the downtown area since 2010.
On Thursday, speakers pointed to an increase in safety, with investments in new crime-fighting technology. And they said people are returning to work, with office vacancy at just over 9%.
"This matters," said Taylor Schaeffer, of Downtown Indy, Inc. "Not just to the health of our office towers and commercial real estate, but to the small businesses that rely on lunch time and after-work crowds for hotels that host business travelers and for the feeling of safety and vibrancy that comes with busy streets."
Thursday's speakers acknowledged there is still work to be done. They said downtown Indy needs to be "year-round," not just 9 to 5 during the work week.