An initiative to capitalize on one of Indianapolis's finest assets and competitive advantages: Midtown Indy.

Central Canal Bank Stabilization Project

One of Midtown’s unique assets is the Central Canal, which not only carries drinking water for 600,000 residents, but also provides wildlife habitat and features the popular Canal Towpath recreational trail. In the Fall of 2009, Veolia, the contract operator of the City’s water assets, proposed a bank stabilization project that would have transformed this historic green infrastructure into a rock-lined eyesore. Midtown board members joined with Butler University’s Center for Urban Ecology and neighborhood leaders to successfully convince Veolia and the Department of Waterworks to modify the plans to limit the use of riprap, to specify native plants and grasses for landscaping and to protect vital turtle habitat. Construction is slated for Spring of 2010.