INDIANAPOLIS — Martindale-Brightwood calls itself the "Heart of the City." It now has a plan to keep that heart beating stronger than ever.
Community leaders unveiled the Martindale-Brightwood Quality of Life master plan on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The strategy will determine how Indianapolis invests in the neighborhood.
Martindale-Brightwood's top priorities are increasing its police presence, improving parks and trails, and developing activities and places for children to stay motivated outside of school.
Previous quality of life plans led to the renovation of Frederick Douglass Park and the construction of the new Martindale-Brightwood Library on 25th Street and Sherman Drive.
"It's been quite a journey, and we've faced our challenges, but the new developments in the area really gives me hope for the future," said One Voice Martindale Brightwood vice president Cierra Johnson, who was born and raised in the neighborhood. "I love to see all of the amenities that we have now that we didn't necessarily have when I was growing up."
"There's a stereotype of Martindale-Brightwood that it's crime-ridden with a lot of drugs and murders, but we see the other side of it as well," said fellow Martindale-Brightwood native Immanuel Ivey, who now works in the neighborhood with the Edna Martin Christian Center.
Ivey said the plan's success depends on people moving into the neighborhood and current residents staying for the long haul.
"A lot of times we felt like nobody even wanted to stop by the neighborhood," Ivey said. "In the '70s and '80s, everybody wanted to leave, but in the 2020s, everybody is coming back to the neighborhood."
-
State: Childcare worker slapped 2-year-old at Greenwood center
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has cited a Greenwood childcare center for “inappropriate discipline" after a staff member allegedly slapped a 2-year-old child.
'This is just my body weight': Mooresville man charged with strangulation
Court documents say the man struck the alleged victim in the face, got on top of her, flipped her onto her back and placed both of his hands around the front of her neck and applied pressure.
Don't miss Billy Idol and Joan Jett live at Ruoff Music Center this summer
Billy Idol will tour with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, performing at Ruoff Music Center on August 30.
Indy man arrested for attempted murder after shooting pregnant, estranged wife
An Indy man has been arrested for attempted murder after allegedly shooting his pregnant wife and killing her unborn baby.
