The Economic Development Plan for North Midtown was crafted in 2011 by Department of Metropolitan Development staff in support of the effort to establish the Midtown TIF District. The Plan listed a series of Development Guidelines as a framework for determining whether or not a proposed project deserves TIF support. This excerpt from Indianapolis Regional Center & Metropolitan Planning Area Multi-Modal Corridor and Public Space Design Guidelines – adopted by the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council in August, 2008 – was included in the North Midtown Economic Development Area Plan to justify the Plan’s areas of focus.
The Guidelines are organized around Multi-Modal Districts and Corridors. These districts and corridor guidelines
- are identified based on land use character and transportation function.
- explain connectivity requirements for a balanced transportation system.
- leverage transportation infrastructure to concentrate land use intensity and economic development opportunities.
- are walkable and highly connected places. Nodes are hubs of intense activity and the most accessible place for people, goods, jobs, and services. A transit hub, parking resources, and land use intensity are keys to district node success.
- support intense commercial and residential nodes at the center of the district with many people and modes converging on traffic-calmed streets. These Placemaking Corridors form district edges and connect districts. Connector Corridors convey travelers from district edge to district center. Local corridors provide connectivity within the district.
