Everyone’s life is better when they live in an economically healthy city. Indianapolis must compete, now more than ever, with surrounding counties and peer cities to attract and retain residents, businesses, and investment. Young people are particularly drawn to cities that have dynamic urban places and a thriving culture. According to the Project for Public Spaces, a city must have a number of great places to be a community where people choose to live, work, and play.

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Indianapolis has some great places to be sure: Fountain Square, Irvington, Broad Ripple, Downtown, and others. But, we need to be more proactive in growing these places as we continue to compete both regionally and nationally. Great Places is an initiative created to respond to this need. The effort seeks to transform strategic places in Marion County into dynamic urban villages. These places already have great assets and potential, but they also have challenges that this process hopes to address.. Philanthropic, civic, and private partners will engage with neighborhoods to make significant social and capital investments to enhance quality of life and spur private investment.

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As a collective impact initiative, Great Places counts on the contributions of many for its success—from neighborhood stakeholders at each of the Great Places to citywide investment partners. The initial implementation partners are: