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Much has happened to Downtown Indianapolis in the past four decades. The circle city is a vibrant 24-hour, seven-days-a-week place to work, live and play. How? The answer lies in a concerted and coordinated effort by public-private partnerships to develop, manage and market Downtown Indianapolis. The following events are just samples of what has been done to improve the nation's 13th largest city.
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The Indianapolis Colts played the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV in February in Miami. This was the Colts’ second trip to the Super Bowl. The Saints won 31 – 17.
Indianapolis hosted two American Football Conference (AFC) Playoff/Championship games and won both.
Downtown Indianapolis hosted the Baseball Winter Meetings Dec. 7 - 10 at the Indiana Convention Center. This is the only gathering of its kind where people from all walks of baseball meet in one place at one time.
The Washington and Market Street Ramps Project which began in the beginning of 2008 completed. The project aimed to make both locations more accessible to Downtown, as well as create a smoother traffic flow.
The Tutankhamun: The Golden King and Great Pharaoh exhibit paid a four-month visit (June-October) to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. This was the first showing of the exhibit in the Midwest following its U.S. premiere in Atlanta.
Conseco Fieldhouse proudly celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2009.
Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrated 100 years of the world-famous track May to September.
March 27 - 29 the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional Championship was held Downtown at Conseco Fieldhouse.
In December, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis announced its new Master Plan set to change the campus in the next 10 to 20 years.
The new Indianapolis International Airport terminal, just minutes from Downtown, opened in August. This new facility makes a dramatic and sophisticated impression while it moves travelers with great results.
On Aug. 16, Lucas Oil Stadium, permanent home of the Indianapolis Colts as well as a venue for conventions, trade shows, concerts and other special events, opened Downtown.
Groundbreaking on a new $425 million JW Marriott Indianapolis, located in the heart of Downtown, took place on May 29. When completed in its entirety in 2011, the complex will feature four new hotel properties with more than 1,600 rooms.
On May 20, NFL team owners awarded the 2012 Super Bowl bid to Indianapolis.
On January 1, Greg Ballard was sworn in as mayor of Indianapolis.
In May, the Indianapolis Zoo debuted its latest exhibit, "Oceans presented by Old National Bank" as an interactive experience where visitors can see, feel, touch and talk with the sea creatures and zookeepers.
Downtown Indianapolis began work on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick in April to connect the city's Cultural Districts.
The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. This was the Colts' first trip to the Super Bowl and the first title claimed in the history of the
Indianapolis Colts.
Indianapolis hosted its first ever American Football Conference (AFC) Championship game in NFL football.
Indianapolis was chosen to host both the Big Ten Men's and Women's Tournaments from 2008 - 2012 and the Drum Corps International World Championships from 2008 - 2018.
The Downtown skyline welcomed a new addition with the completed construction of the luxurious Conrad hotel.
The Indianapolis Zoo debuted its latest permanent exhibit, "Meerkats" along with the newly renovated and expanded Deserts Dome in May.
Lucas Oil announced that it purchased naming rights to the new stadium and future home of the Colts.
Downtown hosted 41 basketball games in a 33 day period. Taking place during that time was the NCAA Division I Men's Final Four tournament, the last Final Four to be played at the RCA Dome.
The Children's Musuem opened "Fireworks of Glass" the largest permanent sculpture ever created by a glass blower. The 43 ft. masterpiece created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly features 3,200 pieces of twisted glass.
Mitch Daniels was installed as the 49th Governor of Indiana.
The Bank One Tower, currently the tallest building in Indiana, changed its name to Chase Tower.
Circle Centre, located in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis, celebrated its 10th anniversary in September.
Ground-breaking took place for the new multi-use stadium and entertainment facility, estimated to cost around $675 million. The venue is expected to be completed by the 2008 football season.
Downtown enjoyed the first ever Mass Ave Theatre and IndyFringe Festival, a 10-day festival showcasing 30 different local, national and international cutting-edge theater companies.
The nation's best gymnasts tumbled into Conseco Fieldhouse for the 2005 VISA Gymnastics National Championships in August.
Herron School of Art and Design had its grand opening in IUPUI's Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hall in June. This building was a $26.5 million project and utilizes 169,000 square-feet.
The Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration commemorated 35 years of working together in 2005. As the nation's largest of its kind, this event celebrates African-American culture, history and heritage.
In 2005 the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art added a 45,000-square-foot wing, including an education center, café and galleries devoted to Western and Native American contemporary art.
The Indiana Historical Society celebrated its 175th anniversary in June. It maintains one of the largest collections of material on the history of Indiana.
In May, Indianapolis saw the grand opening of the Dolphin Adventure at the Indianapolis Zoo. This one-of-a-kind underwater dolphin dome offers a unique experience for all visitors as they get up close and personal with the dolphins.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art reopened in May after an ambitious $74-million expansion, featuring the newly installed American and Native Art of the Americas galleries, as well as the European galleries.
The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Final Four Championship was hosted in Indianapolis in April. Baylor University was the overall winner.
Under Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson's leadership, the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission provided funding to identify and improve Indianapolis' six cultural districts: Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave and Wholesale District.
The FINA World Swimming Championships came to Conseco Fieldhouse in October. Two swimming pools were constructed in 10 days inside the Fieldhouse for this event.
The Adam's Mark hotel became the Hilton Hotel in August.
The fifth annual SAP United States Grand Prix took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in June.
Dinosphere: Now You're in Their World opened at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis in June. Along with the new exhibit, a brand new parking garage was built.
The first Downtown hardware store in a decade, Fusek's True Value Hardware, opened at Lockerbie Marketplace in June.
Downtown Indianapolis welcomed a brand new outdoor concert venue called The Lawn at White River State Park, with the first concert premiering in June.
The Indiana Pacers saw playoff action at Conseco Fieldhouse during May and June, building the city's pride and momentum.
The first 24-hour Downtown cafe, the Red Eye Cafe, opened in April.
Circle of Lights® got a new partner to become Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481.
Thirty Downtown projects were completed in 2003, totaling more than $306 million. Some of the residential projects finished include The Block, Garden Arch Apartments and Mayleeno Apartments.
Bart Peterson was reelected as Mayor of Indianapolis in November.
The fourth annual SAP United States Grand Prix took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September.
Hyperfix 65/70 was completed in August.
Best Western Hotels & Suites opened at 410 S. Missouri St. The Hilton Garden Inn opened at 10 E. Market St in August.
The Clarian People Mover began connecting people between Methodist Hospital and the Indiana University Medical Center - IU Hospital & Riley Hospital for Children in June.
White River State park was completed in its entirety after more than 20 years of planning and development. The park boasts a new entrance, performance lawn, visitor center, play area for small children and a formal oval garden.
The Indianapolis Indians received a new videoboard at Victory Field in April worth $1.1 million.
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. celebrated its 10th Anniversary in March.
The Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament and the NCAA Men's Basketball 1st & 2nd Rounds came to Conseco Fieldhouse in March.
The world's best violinists came to Indianapolis for the Sixth International Violin Competition in September.
The third annual SAP United States Grand Prix took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September.
The World Basketball Championship came to the United States for the first time and was held in Indianapolis in late August and early September.
Scholars Inn, a gourmet café and wine bar, opened on Mass Ave in August.
The Indiana State Museum moved its location to White River State Park.
St. Elmo Steak House, a historic Downtown landmark, celebrated its centennial year while the Soldiers & Sailors monument also celebrated its 100th year.
Star Wars fans from across the nation gathered in Indianapolis for the annual Star Wars convention in May.
Indiana State Museum changed locations in May to the new museum on the canal in White River State Park.
Indianapolis saw major basketball action during the Big Ten Men's and Women's Championships held at Conseco Fieldhouse in March.
Pacers Academy opened in Downtown in January. Housed in Union Station, this alternative school is a partnership between IPS, Simon Youth Foundation, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the City of Indianapolis.
Indianapolis got into the spirit of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games when honored Hoosiers brought the flame of the games Downtown during the Olympic Torch Run in January.
With the tragic events of Sept. 11 fresh in the minds of the American people, Indianapolis wanted to show its support for the brave men and women working to protect our nation. For the first (and only) time, the Circle of Lights® presented by Methodist Medical Group featured red, white and blue lights, while other Downtown decorations featured the same theme to show our Hoosier patriotism.
The second annual SAP United States Grand Prix took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September.
Indianapolis welcomed Gifts to the Tsars, 1500-1700 Treasures from the Kremlin to the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Radio One moved into new headquarters located on Meridian Street in September.
Borders Books & Music Cafe opened in the Barnes & Thornburg building.
Market Square Arena, the Pacers previous home, was imploded in July to make way for new Downtown development. The Pacers had moved to their new home, Conseco Fieldhouse, in 1999.
The Indianapolis Indians, our hometown AAA baseball team, celebrated its fifth year at Victory Field in July.
Downtown hosted the 2001 World Police & Fire Games in June. The Games, which featured more than 9,000 athletes participating in a wide range of events such as the decathlon, boxing, darts and ice hockey, were held at 43 different Indianapolis venues. The economic impact was estimated to be $40 million.
The Massachusetts Avenue Commercial Development Plan was announced and implementation began in the fall.
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown opened its doors on the west side of Downtown.Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. established the Marge Tarplee Downtown Beautification Fund to help offset the costs of maintaining and beautifying Downtown. It was initiated with a sizeable grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
The Athenaeum, one of Downtown's oldest landmarks, completed a $5 million renovation made possible by a Lilly Endowment grant. The building, home to the American Cabaret Theatre, the YMCA and the Rathskeller restaurant, updated its wiring, heating and air conditioning and installed a sprinkler system.
Four new restaurants were introduced to Downtown: Ram Restaurant & Big Horn Brewery, Claddagh Irish Pub, The Pub Indianapolis and P.F. Chang's China Bistro.
Racing fans were delighted to witness the inaugural SAP United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September.
Adam's Mark Hotel celebrated its grand opening with elegance and style.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis celebrated its 75th birthday.
Indiana Pacers made it to the NBA Finals and brought recognition and excitement to renew our Hoosier love of basketball.
Indiana Black Expo held its 30th Summer Celebration in Downtown.
Indianapolis hosted the NCAA Final Four for the fourth time in April. Indianapolis previously hosted the event in 1980, 1991 and 1997 and will host it again in 2006.
The 35,000 square-foot, $10 million NCAA Hall of Champions opened in March. It highlights all 22 sports and 81 national championships administered by the NCAA and features a Great Hall, theaters, display areas, a Hall of Honor, the Gymnasium, a Wrap Around Video Wall and gift shop.
Anthem Operations Center employees moved into the new $67 million Virginia St. location in February, beginning in February and continuing throughout the summer.
Downtown Indianapolis introduced and implemented two successful anti-litter campaigns, Trash Hoops and Pitch in To Win.
On January 1, Bart Peterson was sworn in as mayor of Indianapolis.
The Circle of Lights (formerly the World's Largest Christmas Tree) boasted new light strands. These strands replaced the original strands, which had adorned the Circle for more than 30 years. The rest of Downtown got into the holiday spirit with new decorations, including toy soldiers, candy canes, projected images, icicle flags and stage set.
The Indianapolis Colts clinched its fifth AFC Eastern Division title, its first since 1987, by earning a 13-3 record, the first double-digit victory season for the Colts since 1977 and the best turnaround in NFL history.
Three new restaurants opened in the historic Wholesale District in November. Morton's of Chicago Steakhouse, Malibu on Maryland and Tiki Bob's Cantina offer a variety of new food choices. Other new Downtown restaurants openings included the Hard Rock Cafe, Kona Jack's, Agio, and The Cozy Restaurant and Lounge.
Union Station, built in 1888, reopened in November after a $7.8 million renovation effort space. The new space was named the Grand Hall and Conference Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel Union Station and will be available to book for events.
The $183 million Conseco Fieldhouse, new home to the NBA Indiana Pacers,
WNBA Indiana Fever and numerous concerts and special events, opened in November. The Fieldhouse combines modern-day amenities with old-time charm.
The $1.5 million Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum opened in the lower level of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in October.
A $20 million renovation of the RCA Dome was completed in the fall. Work on the venue included the creation of a new street-level entrance with additional large-capacity elevators, relocation of the press box and the addition of two new club lounges with exclusive club seating areas, updated luxury suites and five new super suites.
Downtown Indianapolis welcomed 300 NCAA employees to their new headquarters in August. Located in White River State Park, the new $50 million NCAA headquarters includes the NCAA Hall of Champions which is scheduled to open in March 2000.
Jillian's, a three-story combination dining and entertainment complex, opened in September on South Median St. after a $5.5 million renovation. The complex features a nine-lane bowling alley, the Groove Shack dance club, the Sports Video Cafe & Bar, Hibachi Grill and a 10,000 square-foot game room.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre underwent a $6 million renovation during the summer. Improvements included the redesign of the Upperstage and Cabaret areas, as well as historic preservation efforts to protect the Grand Lobby and Mainstage Theatre.
The Indiana Historical Society relocated its headquarters in June to a new four-story, $35.7 million, 165,000 square-foot building located on the Downtown Canal.
White River Gardens, the Indianapolis Zoo's sister institution, opened in June. The $14.5 million botanical wonderland spans 3.3 acres and includes a resource center, gift shop and two restaurants.
During Memorial Day weekend, a memorial service was held in conjunction with the dedication of the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial.
The first Indy Jazz Fest was held Downtown in June.
Emmis Communications celebrated the grand opening of their world headquarters, located on Monument Circle in the heart of Downtown.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that the inaugural U.S. Grand Prix Formula One race would be held there in September 2000.
To protect the youth of Indianapolis, the Community Youth Initiative was established. The development and promotion of the Youth Code of Conduct is a main achievement of this initiative.
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. created and launched its new branding campaign: "Downtown Indianapolis - Always Amazingly New!" to reinforce Downtown's steady growth.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Foundation moved to its new headquarters after a $3.6 million renovation of Washington Place.
Indianapolis said good-bye to the Indiana Twisters, a professional indoor soccer team, after its league ended.
An 80-room Ramada Limited Waterbury opened in the Fletcher Trust Building, under the name of Monument Plaza Center, after a $7.5 million renovation.
The two-story $800,000 Paul Harris flagship store opened Downtown making it the largest store in the company's 45-year history.
Emmis Communications Corp. opened its seven-story $15 million world headquarters on Monument Circle, giving Downtown its first major new office building since the Bank One Tower in 1990.
Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn hotels opened along the Central Canal. Hampton Inn hotel also opened Downtown.
The NCAA Final Four took place in Indianapolis for the third time. (Indianapolis hosted the event in 1980, 1991 and 2000.)
NCAA announced plans to move its corporate headquarters to White River State Park in 1999. The NCAA Hall of Champions will follow this move in 2000.
USA Group, the nation's leading provider of student loans and other services for higher education, moved 900 employees to the renovated L.S. Ayres building.
The Conseco Fieldhouse, future home of the NBA Indiana Pacers and WNBA Indiana Fever, broke ground.
The Indianapolis Zoo broke ground on the 5,000 square-foot White River Gardens to be completed in 1999.
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art announced plans for expansion as well as construction plans for a new underground parking garage, scheduled to be completed in 2001.
Murat Centre opened after an $11 million renovation and begins to bring first-run Broadway shows to Downtown Indianapolis.
IWERKS CineDome at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis opened.
The Indianapolis Twisters, a professional indoor soccer team, began playing at Market Square Arena.
Victory Field, home of the AAA Indianapolis Indians, opened.
One of only 16 IMAX 3D Theaters in the world opened at White River State Park.
Comfort Inn hotel opened Downtown.
The $319.5 million Circle Centre retail and entertainment complex opened.
The Artsgarden, an eight-story glass rotunda suspended over the Washington and Illinois street intersection, opened.
A permanent memorial to the U.S.S. Indianapolis was dedicated on the Canal Walk.
IHL Indianapolis Ice moved to Market Square Arena.
The Indiana Pacers reached the "Final Four" of the National Basketball Association playoffs, the first time the franchise advanced past the first round.
The Capitol Improvement Board agreed to a ten-year, $10 million deal with Thomson Consumer Electronics to rename the Hoosier Dome the RCA Dome.
Indianapolis broke ground for a $20 million expansion of the Central Canal south and west to White River.
The City of Indianapolis declared Massachusetts Avenue, with its four art galleries and five theaters, the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District.
IUPUI's $32 million library opened.
A $43 million expansion and renovation of the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome was completed.
The City of Indianapolis initiated a three-year, $500 million project called Building Better Neighborhoods, to improve streets, sidewalks, sewers and parks, many of which are Downtown.
The Phoenix Theatre signed a contract with the Actor's Equity Association making it one of the city's three professional theaters.
Eli Lilly and Company opened a $204 million Biosynthetic Human Insulin Production Complex at the Lilly Technology Center.
After 120 years, L.S. Ayres closed its Downtown Indianapolis department store.
Farm Bureau Insurance relocated 570 employees to a $40 million, 350,000 square feet corporate headquarters Downtown in the renovated Indianapolis Rubber Company building.
On January 1, Stephen Goldsmith, former Marion County prosecutor, was sworn in as mayor of Indianapolis. Goldsmith worked with community leaders to create Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., a private-sector organization to develop, manage and market Downtown.
The Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF), a $7 million Navy research and development center, relocated to Indianapolis from California and opened on the Canal Walk.
The NCAA Final Four and World Gymnastics Championships took place at the Hoosier Dome.
American Cabaret Theatre moved to Indianapolis from New York and opened at the Athenaeum.
The 52-story Bank One Tower opened.
The Omni Severin Hotel (formerly the Atkinson Hotel) reopened after a $40 million restoration and expansion.
Phase II of Soldiers & Sailors Monument renovation was completed.
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art opened.
The first phase of the $10 million Canal Walk project was completed.
The $64 million Indianapolis Zoo opened.
The $12 million National Institute for Fitness and Sport opened.
Madame Walker Theatre Center completed a $5 million renovation.
The Pan American Games brought 4,453 athletes from 38 countries to Indianapolis.
Pan American Plaza office building and ice rinks opened.
University Place Conference Center & Hotel at IUPUI opened.
Phase I of Soldiers & Sailors Monument renovation was completed.
Theatre on the Square was founded.
Union Station, America's first union railway depot, was renovated into a multimillion-dollar festival marketplace.
Embassy Suites hotel and the Claypool Court retail complex opened.
The Indianapolis Heliport, the only full-service downtown heliport in the U.S., opened.
The $77.5 million Hoosier Dome opened as an expansion to the Indiana Convention Center.
NFL Colts moved to Indianapolis from Baltimore.
The first Circle City Classic football game pitted the Mississippi Valley Delta Devils against the Grambling Tigers at the Hoosier Dome. The annual game currently draws 60,000 fans from throughout the U.S.
Circle Theatre, a 1916 movie palace, was renovated and became the permanent home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Indianapolis hosted the National Sports Festival, which has since been renamed the U.S. Olympic Festival, marking the beginning of the city's deliberate use of sports as an economic development tool.
The $5.9 million Indiana University Track and Field Stadium and adjoining athletic fields opened.
The $21.5 million Indiana University Natatorium, one of the premier aquatic facilities in the world, opened.
The 38-story American United Life office tower opened.
The Indianapolis City Center, a visitor and community information center, opened on Monument Circle.
The $1.8 million bricking of Monument Circle and Market Street was completed.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) moved to the historic Indiana Theatre Building, a 1927 movie palace renovated to include three stages.
William H. Hudnut, III was sworn in as mayor. A champion of Downtown, he went on to serve an unprecedented 16 consecutive years as mayor.
NBA Indiana Pacers moved to the newly opened Market Square Arena.
Mayor Richard G. Lugar and community leaders joined forces and created Unigov, a consolidation of city and county government that expanded the city's tax base.
Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis officially opened
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