Indianapolis Cultural Trail cuts ribbon on Alabama Street corridor, announces new donors and Capitol corridor

June 7, 2008 – At today’s ribbon-cutting for the first completed corridor of The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, Mayor Greg Ballard, Central Indiana Community Foundation President Brian Payne and Andre Lacy, co-chair of the Cultural Trail’s fundraising committee, announced new donations totaling more than $1 million, as well as the extension of the Cultural Trail to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Mayor Ballard described the newest planned addition to the Cultural Trail – the Capitol corridor – which will travel along the west side of Capitol Avenue from Washington Street to South Street. Three of the four blocks of the $2.5 million extension will be funded by additional federal transportation dollars secured by the City of the Indianapolis that are being administered through the Indiana Stadium & Convention Building Authority (ISCBA). Construction of that corridor is expected to begin 2009 and be finished by fall of 2010.

Mayor Ballard said, “As the city begins preparations for the 2012 Super Bowl, it is important that we connect visitors to our new convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium. Now thousands of visitors and sports enthusiasts will be able to take the Cultural Trail to explore everything our Cultural Districts have to offer.”

Payne thanked Mayor Ballard and the ISCBA for their collaborative support.  He also recognized previously announced donors of $500,000 or more. Marianne Glick, daughter of Gene and Marilyn Glick, was on hand to represent her parents and their gift of $15 million. In addition, Payne thanked The Indianapolis Foundation for its $500,000 gift and Myrta Pulliam for her $1 million gift. Both the Foundation and Pulliam are recognized as donors on signage along the Alabama Street corridor. While Pulliam could not attend the ribbon-cutting, Milt Thompson, chair of the Indianapolis Foundation Board, was in attendance.

Lacy announced recent commitments. They include:

Lacy also announced that so far, the fundraising committee has raised $41.35 million of the estimated $50 million needed to design and construct the Cultural Trail. He said, “So far, we have secured $26 million in charitable donations from very generous individuals, private foundations and businesses. This project simply would not be happening without their support and faith in a big, bold, innovative vision for the city of Indianapolis.” 

Construction will begin later this year on the North and Northeast corridors. The North corridor includes St. Clair Street, part of the Canal between St. Clair and Walnut streets, Walnut Street, Meridian Street, the American Legion Mall and North Street. The Northeast corridor includes North Street, New Jersey Street, Walnut Street, College Avenue and Mass Ave, connecting to the Monon Trail at 10th Street.

In addition to the presentation, a one-block “Fun Run” for children was held, complete with medals for all participants, helping to celebrate National Trails Day, which is today. Attendees also received commemorative T-shirts.

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(top) Brian Payne (left) speaks with Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation Grants Officer, Betsy Bikoff and Board Chairman, Len Betley, which recently awarded the Cultual Trail $1 million.  (bottom) Lori Efroymson-Aguilera and Sergio Aguilera attended the event. The Efroymson Fund, a CICF Fund, has given $2 million to the Cultural Trail.

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Donors help Mayor Ballard and Brian Payne cut the ribbon. From left: Andre Lacy, Joe Loftus, Mayor Ballard, Margot Eccles, Marianne Glick, Lori Efroymson, Katrina Basile, Brian Payne, Frank Basile.

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A little rain wasn't stopping these kids from running in the kids' fun run! All participants received well-deserved medals.