The Near Eastside
Illustration of the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. Image Courtesy of NEAR (Near East Area Renewal)
About the Neighborhood
Until the 1980s, the Near Eastside of Indianapolis was home to middle-class families with good-paying manufacturing jobs. With the decline of this economic sector over 25 years, the area faced dwindling community investment, resulting in its current high levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, and physical deterioration.
In 2012, the Near Eastside community developed the Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan to help guide its future; in 2015, the federal government designated the Near Eastside as a Promise Zone which resulted in concentrated efforts and programs designed to improve livability and spur economic growth. Through robust community engagement, eastside residents updated the Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan in 2019 and, which prioritized residents' aspirations for their neighborhood in nine (9) focus areas including: Arts & Culture, Housing, Safety, Education, Health & Wellness, Equity, Economic and Workforce Development, Sustainability and Placemaking.
Near Eastside Background
1927
The Rivoli Theatre, built by Universal Studios, opened on 10th Street and was the first theatre in Indiana to show movies with sound. Later, it became a premiere venue for national performing artists including John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, and Linda Ronstadt.
1930 - 1940
The Hamilton Theatre, Emerson Theatre, Parker Theatre, and the Rivoli Theatre became anchors for arts and culture as part of a vibrant 10th Street commercial corridor.
1970 - 1990
The decline of the manufacturing industry, the construction of the interstate through downtown, and the suburbanization of Indianapolis resulted in economic decline on the eastside.
1992
The historic Rivoli Theatre closed and in 2015, the theatre was added to Indiana Landmarks Ten Most Endangered Properties List.
1994
After decades of disinvestment, the fate of this neighborhood seemed sealed with the closing of the RCA plant, which once employed over 8,000 eastside residents. With a crumbling economic base and rapid population flight, the eastside found itself largely vacant.
2001
10th Street designated as a LISC focus corridor and a Main Street by Indiana Main Street.
2008
As part of LISC’s Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative, the Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan was created with more than 500 participants. The plan outlined clear goals for affordable housing, business development, education, family strengthening and public safety. Arts and Culture was identified by residents a priority to spur eastside economic growth, improve vibrancy and livability.
2008 - 2012
As part of the NFL’s selection of Indianapolis to host Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, the NFL provided the Near Eastside with $1 million in matching support for a Super Bowl Legacy Project. This opportunity catalyzed more than $150 million invested in Super Bowl Legacy Projects on the eastside including the creation of the Legacy Fitness Center and the rehab and construction of more than 400 new homes.
2015
The Near Eastside of Indianapolis became one of only 14 urban areas to be named a federally designated Promise Zone. The Promise Zone is a 10-year comprehensive, neighbor-driven initiative spanning over 22 eastside neighborhoods. The work in the Promise Zone seeks to boost economic activity, job growth, improve educational opportunities, create new and affordable housing, and reduce crime.
2019
John Boner Neighborhood Centers was awarded a $4.3 million grant from Lilly Endowment which was dedicated to 10th Street. Funding is to be used for the creation of new arts spaces, new vibrant community gathering spaces and to facilitate neighborhood-based arts programming.
2019
John Boner Neighborhood Centers was awarded a $3.5 million LIFT Indy grant focused exclusively on 10th Street for new affordable residential opportunities, new economic development projects and infrastructure improvements.