Indianapolis Will Close Some Streets, Fast-Track Permits To Allow Outdoor Dining

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and city leaders announced new measures Tuesday aimed at assisting Marion County restaurants as the city begins to reopen.

The Dine Out Indy initiative will temporarily close sections of five streets in downtown Indianapolis and Broad Ripple to allow restaurants to extend outdoor seating areas.

Last week, Marion County Public Health Director Dr. Virginia Caine issued a public health order allowing restaurants to open outdoor seating with adequate social distancing beginning Friday.

Deputy Mayor of Community Development Jeff Bennett says the decision to close off streets was made with public health in mind.

"We know that space matters, that air flow matters," says Bennett. "We know from Dr. Caine's guidance that we should avoid crowded spots."

On Wednesday, Indianapolis Department of Public Works will begin the process of closing the southern quadrants of Monument Circle and sections of Massachusetts Avenue, Georgia Street, Illinois Street and Broad Ripple Avenue. 

Beyond the street closures, the city is waiving permit fees and has worked with state agencies to streamline the permit process for restaurants to offer outdoor seating.

"Anyone who has undergone this permitting knows that it does not happen overnight but we recognize that these are not normal circumstances," says Hogsett. 

City staff will also work with other businesses along the closed street sections to help address concerns.

The street closures are expected through July 4th, in-line with the City’s Safe Summer reopening plan.

Here's a closer look at the street closures and detours:

Broad Ripple Avenue - from College Avenue to the Monon Trail 

• Eastbound traffic traveling around the Broad Ripple Avenue closure will detour southbound on College Avenue, then eastbound on Kessler Boulevard Drive, then northbound on Keystone Avenue, then westbound on Broad Ripple Avenue before rejoining the route.
   
• Westbound traffic on Broad Ripple Avenue will detour east to Keystone Avenue, then southbound on Keystone Avenue, then westbound on Kessler Boulevard E Drive, then northbound on College Avenue before rejoining the route.

Massachusetts Avenue - from College Avenue to intersection with New York and Delaware streets

• Northeast-bound traffic on Massachusetts Avenue will detour eastbound on New York Street, then northbound on College Avenue before rejoining the route.
   
• Southwest-bound traffic on Massachusetts Avenue will detour westbound on St. Clair Street, then southwest on Ft. Wayne Avenue, then southbound on Pennsylvania Street, then eastbound on New York Street before rejoining the route.

Georgia Street - from Pennsylvania and Illinois streets
 

Illinois Street - from Georgia to Market streets

• Northbound traffic on Illinois Street will detour eastbound on South Street, then northbound on Delaware Street, then westbound on Ohio Street before rejoining the route.
   
• Alternatively, northbound traffic may detour westbound on South Street, then northbound bound on Missouri Street which becomes West Street, then eastbound on Ohio Street until rejoining the route.

Southern quadrants of Monument Circle

• Eastbound Market Street will be restricted just east of Illinois Street on the west spoke of Monument Circle.
   
• Northbound Meridian Street south of Monument Circle will only be open to local traffic.