Save the date: First Friday March 4

Join us in Fountain Square to celebrate the official beginning of the Cultural Trail's biggest year of construction so far. In 2011, three corridors, totalling nearly four miles of trail, will be constructed, connecting users to Fountain Square, White River State Park and Washington Street. 

On Friday, March 4, coinciding with IDADA's First Friday art gallery tours, help us kick off the construction season:

WHAT: Southeast Corridor Ground-breaking Ceremony
(The Southeast Corridor of the Cultural Trail connects Washington St. and Pennsylvania St. to Prospect and Shelby streets on Virginia Avenue. See map. Photo: Looking north from Virginia Ave. and Prospect St. This side of Virginia Ave. will soon feature the Cultural Trail.)

Enter a drawing for free prizes from area merchants!

WHEN: 5 to 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: parking lot on the southwest corner of Virginia Ave. and Prospect St. (near the fountain of Fountain Square, next to former Deano's Vinos)

WHO: Fountain Square merchants, area residents, Mayor Gregory Ballard (invited), CICF President Brian Payne, Public Art Coordinator Mindy Taylor Ross

For more information contact Gail Payne, 317.713.3333, Gail@IndyCulturalTrail.org

Southeast Corridor public meeting, Feb. 23

WHAT: Meet Hunt Paving Company representatives and other Cultural Trail team members working on the Southeast Corridor construction project. Construction will begin in March. Learn more about when and where construction will begin and end.

General deadlines (see map):  
Virginia Ave. from Washington St. to New Jersey St. and South St. -- Begins in March, complete by September 2011 (hardscape only*); landscaping completed by November 15, 2011

Virginia Ave. from South St. to Prospect St. -- Begins in March, complete by December 31, 2011 (hardscape only*); landscaping completed by April 2012

*hardscape = pavers, benches, bike racks, lights

WHEN & WHERE: 6 p.m., Fountain Square Theatre Building, 1111 Prospect Ave.

WHO: Open to the public

Other construction updates

Alabama St. and Captiol Ave. Corridor
(Two blocks: One on Alabama St. from Market St. to Washington St. // One on Capitol Ave. from Maryland St. to Washington St.)
Anticipated completion date:  May 2011

Work planned for Feb. 21 - March 5:
Alabama St.
-- grading and prep for paver base
-- adding structural soil and top soil
-- remove and relocate fire hydrant
-- tear up corner at Washington St. and Alabama St.

Capitol Ave.
-- light fixtures installed (see photo)
-- installing irrigation lines
-- adding structural soil and top soil

Central Corridor
(Washington St. from Alabama St. to West St.)
Anticipated completion dates:  Alabama St. to Senate Ave. -- December 15, 2011 (hardscape only); Senate Ave. to West St. -- July 15, 2012 (hardscape only); All landscaping -- by December 2012

Utilities continue work in preparation for Cultural Trail construction. IPL's work from Delaware St. to Senate Ave. will likely extend into this summer.  Citizens Thermal is installing manholes and AT&T will begin its work west of Senate Ave. this week.

Sunesis Construction Company will be the contractor on the Central Corridor. Sunesis was the lowest, most qualified bidder through the Indiana Department of Transportation's (INDOT) bid letting on January 26, 2011. Sunesis constructed the Cultural Trail on the Northeast Corridor through the Mass Ave Cultural District.  A public meeting will be scheduled soon to meet the contractor and other Cultural Trail construction team members to discuss specific construction issues, locations and deadlines.   

West Corridor
(Blackford St. from Indiana Ave. to White River State Park, through IUPUI)
Anticipated completion: December 31, 2011

The construction contract will be bid through INDOT on March 9, 2011.

For more information, visit www.indyculturaltrail.org/Construction_Update or contact Gail Payne, 317.713.3333, Gail@IndyCulturalTrail.org.

Lessons from a bicycle-friendly community

A woman who helped transform Portland, Ore., into one of the country’s best cycling and walking cities will share her city’s secrets with Indianapolis in a free Feb. 28 event. Hosted by Health by Design, a coalition working to ensure Central Indiana communities promote active, healthy living, the public lecture will feature Mia Birk, author of “Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet.”

WHAT: Lecture: Lessons from a bicycle-friendly community by Mia Birk

WHEN: Feb. 28, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE: Indiana Government Center South, 402 W. Washington St.

COST: Free

RSVP: www.HealthByDesignOnline.org