Great Places 2020 is a visionary community development project to transform strategic places in Marion County neighborhoods into dynamic centers of culture, commerce and community, preparing Indianapolis for unprecedented success as it reaches its Bicentennial.

Great Places Neighborhood Updates
Thank you for your continued interest in the
Great Places 2020 initiative. Great Places 2020 neighborhood plans are being finalized and a public unveiling is being planned for April 2016. Details coming shortly!
Fun fact: Dedicated in November of 1911, the East Washington Library is the oldest building in constant use as a library in Marion County.
Winning Creative Placemaking projects announced
Neighbors met last week at Englewood Recreation Indianapolis to unveil the winning Creative Placemaking projects.
There was a great mix of funded projects including two neighbors within 1/4 mile of the Great Place neighborhood, three Near Eastsiders and two additional Indianapolis-area recipients. More than $17,000 in grants were awarded. Please click here to see a list of winners. 
Near Eastside neighborhood gathered to discuss innovation in local school
On Jan. 30, 250 Near Eastside neighbors and local leaders gathered at an Education Summit at School 15 to brainstorm ideas on how they could better serve their students and community. The neighborhood has created a steering committee to work on school issues that includes members from the John Boner Neighborhood Centers, Englewood Community Development Corporation, Near East Area Renewal, Local Initiatives Support Corporation and Englewood Christian Church. Click here to read about this issue on Chalkbeat Indiana.
Fun fact: George Kessler, a prominent landscape architect, designed Fall Creek Parkway as a scenic boulevard connected by beautiful parkways and bridges, making the area very attractive to visitors.
Midtown neighbors gather to discuss safety, neighborhood branding

Last Thursday neighborhood residents and businesses owners met at North United Methodist Church to mingle with IMPD and city officials and to learn more about the programs and projects happening in the area. Neighbors were encouraged to weigh in on the neighborhood branding campaign. That input is currently being processed - stay tuned for more details!

Work for a great place in a Great Place!
Midtown Indy is hiring a Program and Event Coordinator. The position is focused on fundraising, event coordination, meeting support, communications and marketing. Click here for details and application information.

38th and Shine project wins $10,000 grant
Congratulations to Stefan Eicher who won the #LOVEat38th 5 x 5 contest for his project, 38th & Shine. Stefan received $10,000 to organize an event on May 7 to break the record for the most sparklers lit. The 5×5 event was a contest sponsored by LISC to foster community building and art-focused innovations in selected Great Places neighborhoods.
Fun fact: As a result of the IUPUI Strategic Plan, the school created an Office of Community Engagement encompassing professional development/corporate education; neighborhood/school/family partnerships; volunteerism/service; and a campus-wide culture of engagement.
Indy Convergence makes Near West home
Indy Convergence, a non-profit Indianapolis arts organization dedicated to the growth of artists, has made its home at 2611 W. Michigan in the Near West neighborhood. Indy Convergence brings together a groups of professional artists from around the world to collaborate on cross-disciplinary projects, teach workshops and explore how to best interact with communities. Click here to learn more about this wonderful organization! 
No Mean City launched in Near West
Last evening Indianapolis residents gathered at 1899 Indy in the Near West neighborhood to help launch No Mean City, a collaborative,  non-partisan effort to tell the real stories of life  in Indianapolis - a citizens' guide to community, culture, schools, and housing  in Marion County.
The project aims to entice people of all ages, from all over, to live in Indianapolis, building the tax base and ensuring the future economic health of the city.  

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LISC Indianapolis | 317-454-8486 | cmorales@lisc.org | liscindianapolis.org
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