What→

Our tactical urbanism project in the historic Chatham Arch neighborhood of Indianapolis will transform two key intersections, 10th Street & Park Avenue and 10th Street & Broadway—into age-safer spaces with curb bulb outs. We are partnering with AARP to complete the neighborhood’s vision.

Led by the Chatham Arch Neighborhood Association, our approach hopes to utilize volunteer-driven community-building activities to implement temporary traffic-calming measures at these intersections.

In step with priorities of Indianapolis’s recent Vision Zero initiative, we will enhance pedestrian safety, strengthen social ties, and create a more age-friendly streetscape. With over 31% of Chatham Arch residents over the age of 50, this project directly addresses the needs of a significant portion of the neighborhood.

The project will align with Indianapolis Department of Public Works standards for Tactical Urbanism and will include public art, flex posts, and bulb outs as eligible projects under city code. The idea is to create a project that can be used to collect data and help prioritize these intersections for permanent infrastructure improvements.

Why? →

10th Street is currently a nightmare to cross. Consistent feedback from Chatham Arch neighborhood residents makes clear that speeding 10th Street poses significant challenges to pedestrian safety, particularly for older adults and those with limited mobility.

A walkable environment contributes to better physical health. Studies indicate that walkability improvements encourage older adults to remain active, lowering rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and arthritis. Accessible, pedestrian-friendly streets also promote independence and reduce reliance on vehicles, increasing opportunities for daily exercise and social interaction. Traffic calming at these two key intersections will increase the quality of life and make it easier for our vulnerable residents to get around.

Process →

The process launched with a public survey in summer 2024, capturing resident concerns and desires around pedestrian safety, traffic speed, and street design. In fall 2024, a dedicated Traffic Task Force was established by the Chatham Arch Neighborhood Association to guide next steps and coordinate with city agencies. Together, we studied neighborhood crash data, pedestrian volumes, and near-miss reports—then translated those insights into design criteria for safer intersections.

In early 2025, a community-wide engagement survey was conducted to gather input on visual preferences and design elements. Residents selected a vibrant polygonal pattern reflecting the neighborhood’s artistic spirit as the preferred aesthetic for curb bulb-outs and intersection murals.

The final design not only calms traffic through painted extensions and visual narrowing but also celebrates neighborhood identity and sets the stage for permanent infrastructure improvements. With support from AARP and in alignment with Indianapolis’s Vision Zero initiative, the Chatham Arch Tactical Urbanism Project shows how grassroots engagement and design experimentation can lead to real change, block by block.