I Choose Indy!

I’m 38 years young and a native of Indianapolis. I grew up in the back room of a bakery (Wilson’s Donut & Bake Shop) on West 16^th Street just outside of Speedway. My family originated in the Whitestown / Zionsville area where they farmed land in nearby New Augusta. My best buddy, my grandmother, is 91 years of age these days and is full of stories about this wonderful city. She’s watched the city grow around us and she’s kept me informed throughout the years by saving nearly every news story that ever made it to her doorstep. Grandma knows I’m a collector of Indianapolis memorabilia. In fact, it is probably on the count of her interest in the city that I became so fascinated by it all. She’s always kept an eye out for me as she insures I never miss the latest news.

My grandma (Thelma is her name), wasn’t telling a tale when she insisted that she walked “…miles to and from school, up and down hill both ways, knee deep in the snow.” Perhaps she stretched the truth a bit when she mentioned the part about being “barefoot”, but nonetheless it is hard to believe there was once farmland that covered the entire Westside where Lafayette Square Mall, an abundance of businesses, and many different homes, condos, and apartment communities now reside.

As far back as I can recall, I remember my dad and grandfather at the bakery preparing for the nightshift delivery route. I think it was those moments in time that I remember the most as the memories that shaped my own impressions of the city. It was during the nightshift deliveries with my grandfather that I saw the worst of the city while yet; even then, somehow I dreamed that it may someday be so much better. As a child my mind was filled with wonder for how we may someday turn this city around. I barely understood what it was all about, but I knew that Indianapolis could be so much better than the boarded up windows, closing of stores, and prostitution that was common around 13^th, Alabama, and Pennsylvania Street.

Perhaps there was symbolism in the darkness that fell over the city during the night shift with grandpa as my early childhood exposures to the city left me feeling sad and often afraid. In fact, the most fear filled moments were in the times that my grandfather and I would descend the ramps of the parking garage of the Federal Building which in the wondering eyes of a child less than ten, seemed to be a deep plunging ride on a roller coaster to the tunnels in the underground. Perhaps one of my most frightening experiences of the nighttime delivery route was navigating the dark and dingy tunnels with a cart stacked high with boxes that carried dozens of freshly baked donuts to the cafeterias and offices that would soon open in the early morning hours.

With grandpa by my side, the city was dark and it always seemed cold. In the alleys behind the Indiana Bell Building was where I met face-to-face with my first rat that was as big as a cat and humongous bugs that were the size of my little boy’s sneakers. These were the creatures that could only be seen at night, or so it seemed.

But it wasn’t all bad. The best part about the route was stopping off at Peppy’s Grill for a piping hot scrambled egg sandwich with lots of mayonnaise on fresh white bread. I’d sit in the truck and wait as grandpa would run in to drop off the donuts, say “Hello” to his friends, and return with my early morning treat.

As I grew older, I listened to all the rhetoric about the “hole in the ground” – the Circle Center Mall. At that time, Mayor Goldsmith and others were working to revitalize the city and back then the citizens were in disbelief that the proposed changes were a good thing. While city leaders wrangled and news media bantered the propaganda back and forth, the taxpayers cared only about who was going to pay for the emerging changes within the city. Even then, I knew the potential for this city was great.

Today, I’m the proud owner of a buisness and a custom built home that are both located in downtown Indianapolis in revitalization neighborhoods. My home, located just to the east in the emerging neighborhood of Holy Cross, is situated high above the city on a piece of land that appraisers have suggested is second only to Crown Hill Cemetery, as the highest piece of land in the city. I designed my home with an entire back wall of windows from ground to roof where I am fortunate to have one of the best panoramic views of the city skyline. From almost every room of my home, I have observed the metamorphosis of this great city for the past five years.

It’s hard to believe from where we came, to where we are today, Indianapolis is thriving with positive change. From my view above the city, I’ve watched as the construction cranes have emerged and disappeared, signaling progress on every side of town.

I’ve watched the city give birth to condos on Mass Ave. on the eastern side of the city, the new library renovations in the center, the new life sciences buildings, the new School of Informatics, and many other construction projects that are currently underway on the IUPUI campus to the west. I’m excitedly awaiting the assembly of the retractable roof on the Lucas Oil Stadium as I can see the infrastructure going into place directly to the southwest which is the exact same angle in which I observed the new Simon Office Building and the Conrad Hotel as they emerged into the skyline.

I’m anxiously awaiting the final outcomes of the plans that will bring new life to the Market Square Arena property to the south. In fact I’m hoping this will be the project that will balance out the shape of the city skyline as Riley Towers can be seen as two candle sticks to the North which, from my view, seems to be perpendicular to the MSA property. I’m also excited to note that City Market will soon emerge as a new and exciting place to be.

With new buildings — comes people. With more people — comes economic strength. Perhaps most important to me is our successful emergence in arts and cultural diversity. Who ever said “…there’s more than corn in Indiana” could not have had any idea how much more there would someday be in Indianapolis. With arts, cultural diversity, innovation, science, sports, conferences, tourism, and academics, I can think of only one thing that will make this great city even better — mass transportation (which I hear is on the way!!)

As a downtown resident, a recent graduate of the IUPUI School of Informatics (also located downtown), and the President & CEO of a rapidly growing medical animation and video production firm (www.medicalanimatics.com) with offices near the center of the city, I Choose Indy because it’s a great place to call home, to start a business, to explore arts, culture, and diversity, to study, to connect to others, and to pursue dreams.

My grandmother is proud that I Choose Indy. If I could only see my grandfather once again, I’d take him on one final loop on the night time delivery route around the city where we’d even stop off at Peppy’s Grill and enjoy a scrambled egg and mayonnaise delicacy for old time’s sake. We would sit and talk about the old times and all the amazing changes that have happened in this city. And, I know that grandpa would be impressed with all the people that we would see in the center of town, even after dark. No longer is the night time in the city a place to be afraid. As a matter of fact…night time is one of the best times for catching up with friends for fun around the town. I Choose Indy – and so should you!

Medical Animatics, Inc.
State-of-the-art 3D animation, video, and application development for medical, health education, science, and sports.
1321 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 536.6035