A Project for Safety and Community
NESCO is partnering with the Little Flower, Emerson Heights, and Tuxedo Park Neighborhood Associations to request permission to add quick-build infrastructure and placemaking to Linwood Square and 10th street. Read more and take the survey to share your thoughts.
We Want a Safer Shopping Center
Linwood Square highlights the design priority of the 1960’s – the automobile. The lack of sidewalks and vast stretches of open asphalt make it dangerous and uncomfortable to walk/roll, bike, and even drive through. Today in 2024, soaring rates of pedestrian injuries/fatalities and a thirst for walkability has residents pleading for safety improvements.
Sidewalks Are Either Missing or Inaccessible to Wheelchairs
Would you enjoy traveling to the store without an automobile? Many residents do not have a choice. Head down to Kroger in Google Street View below and think about what elements are missing for a safe and comfortable stroll. Consider how a visually impaired person or wheelchair user may experience this.
The Walkable Linwood Square Project will address this by using jersey barriers to create a protected path. If enough funding is available, we want to attach shade sails to the barriers to provide people cover from the heat and elements.
This image is AI generated and is along the lines of what we would like to accomplish.
The "Linwood Shuffle"
The lack of structure to the parking lot entices motorists to crisscross the parking lot and ignore stop signs. This chaotic ballet, coined “The Linwood Shuffle” by Councilman Jesse Brown, makes predicting vehicle movement difficult and can lead to crashes.
The Linwood Shuffle is hostile to pedestrians and cyclists. The Walkable Linwood Square Project will address this by adding parking stops and other solid barriers to structure vehicle movements.
Excessive Speeding on 10th Street
The Linwood Square Area Neighborhood Plan, published in 2001 by the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development Division of Planning, stated: “Reducing the speed limit to 25mph on 10th Street would help pedestrians cross in a safe manner…”
However, 23 years later and despite dangerous growth in the average size of vehicles, the legal maximum is still the same deadly 35MPH limit. Part of the Walkable Linwood Square includes adjusting speed limits to 20-25MPH along 10th St. This would make the experience better for all users.
A speed study was conducted to see how drivers are actually using the street during morning and afternoon weekday rush-hours and on Saturday around noon. We found that speeding is rampant and reckless on 10th Street, especially during rush hour. However, inside Linwood Square no vehicle was measured traveling over 25MPH. The real issues are the Linwood Shuffle and inaccessible/unpleasant pedestrian spaces.
Indy Pedestrian Safety Crisis and the IMPO’s Incapacitating/Fatal Crash Dashboard show that 10th street is dangerous both inside and outside of an automobile.
To reduce speeding and reckless driving, speed cushions will be added along 10th Street. Learn more at National Association of City Transportation Officials (nacto.org).
When Will Tragedy Strike Next?
It is only a matter of time before another vehicle crashes into one of our neighbors or a business we patronize. We do not have time to wait for the redevelopment of Linwood Square or a redesign of 10th Street. We need immediate action to stop the carnage.
We Want Community
In order for people to gather to build community, they must feel welcomed in the space. One way this can be achieved is by adding a park. We wish to convert some of the parking spaces into a basketball court with tables and astroturf. The images below are AI generated, but help paint a picture of the idea.
The park should be situated near businesses so that when our neighbors are finished playing, they’ll be more likely to purchase food and drinks nearby.
Our Solution
The project will require consent from the property owner of Linwood Square for all items within the parking lot, and a permit from the Indianapolis Department of Works for all items along 10th Street.
Scope
Zoom in to view the design plans for Linwood Square and 10th Street.
Funding
We will seek funding from a variety of sources, including grants, donations, and funds from neighborhood associations.
Timeline
The project’s goal is to install in early 2026.
Long Term Solution
10th Street is currently being scoped for redesign by the Department of Public Works. Linwood Square’s parcel has recently been split into several individual parcels, indicating that the property manager intends to sell portions of the lot. This will bring new development, which will require the developers to add sidewalks and other amenities described in the zoning code. Materials from the project that become redundant will be redistributed around the Eastside to another area in need.
While pushing for short-term change, we will be working with neighborhood associations to ensure that permanent solutions provide the safety and comfort that all Americans deserve in their own neighborhoods.
How You Can Help
Write to Your City Councilor
The easiest way you can show support is by reaching out to Councilman Jesse Brown at [email protected].
Donate
Coming soon!
Volunteer
Reach out to the project manager Jakob Morales at [email protected] if you would like to help! We will post information about volunteer events on social media under accounts of neighborhood associations in the area.
