Dear Indy,
The city of Indianapolis exclusively told Mirror Indy reporter Emily Hopkins that it’s committing to a full excavation of its portion of the historic Greenlawn cemeteries before it starts construction on the east side of the Henry Street bridge project.
The bridge will connect Elanco’s headquarters on the west side of the river to downtown and will include an extension of the Cultural Trail.
Emily also has an update on the rest of the former Diamond Chain site, where Indianapolis-based Keystone Group had proposed a $1.5-billion multi-use development anchored by a 20,000-seat soccer stadium.
Any future development at the site of the former Diamond Chain complex would require a “controlled and systematic excavation,” Indiana Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Holly Lawson told Mirror Indy.
Know someone who might like this newsletter?
Click here to forward this email to them.
In other news
- Constantine Kaminski knows firsthand what it’s like to experience bullying at school. So when he noticed a classmate acting differently, he knew exactly when to use this Indianapolis nonprofit’s online platform to speak.
- Ben Davis students who are thinking about going to college have been learning about careers through a joint program with Ivy Tech called TRIO Upward Bound. The program is geared toward potential first-generation college students.
- The Centers for Wellness for Urban Women is offering to pay young women to join a 15-week program to learn about wellness and advocacy in their communities. An orientation is June 29.
Today’s weather from WTHR
After a weak cold front hit this past weekend, the sunshine will burst back out across Indiana today with afternoon highs near 90 degrees.
—Matt Standridge, WTHR meteorologist
What’s going on around the city
- Right this minute: If you really want to know what’s happening in Indy, sign up for the Play List, Mirror Indy’s new arts and culture newsletter, which launches Wednesday. It’s your weekly guide to exploring your city and having fun. You can read it, or you can listen to it — the first newsletter features music and the voices of two local celebrities.
- Thursday, June 27: Catch a $5 film at the Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie, 1258 Windsor St., at 6 p.m. The theater will be screening a 24-minute art film by Ayo Janeen Jackson called “Tear Suture Scab.” The film is a surreal exploration of unicorns and Afrofuturism.
- Sunday, June 23: Join westsiders for free, low-impact chair aerobics, 1:30-2:10 p.m. at the West Perry public library branch, 6650 S. Harding St. Wear comfy clothes, and bring some water.
— Jennifer Delgadillo, arts and culture editor
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
Support Journalism
Be part of a local initiative to increase coverage of the
diverse needs of people living in our community.
What else we’re reading today
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: Families of medically complex children say that Indiana is making it more difficult to receive government support.
- WFYI: Indiana still has a long way to go for racial equity in health, housing, the economy, education, justice, access and the environment, according to newly released data.
Notes from our Documenters
This week, we have six meetings on our schedule.
Today, we’re covering the City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, Franklin Township school board, Indianapolis Public Library board and the Decatur Township Civic Council.
Thursday, we’re covering the IndyGo board and the City-County Council’s Ethics Committee.
What other meetings should we cover? Let me know!
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
My toddler Lucy is providing endless joy.
She asked me why her 8-month-old sister, Riley, was putting everything in her mouth. I told Lucy that babies explore the world with their hands and their mouths and it’s OK as long as it’s not something Riley can choke on.
Lucy looks at Riley and says, “Don’t eat my toys. Don’t eat yucky Lucy. Eat yummy snacks.”
So that’s my advice to you all as I sign off and hand the keys to this newsletter back to Ryan. Go enjoy some yummy snacks.
Chris
P.S. I’ll also be writing Monday’s newsletter, but my partner in journalism, Ryan Martin, will be back to head up Tuesday’s edition. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at Chris.Sikich@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.