A PLACE OF SENSE

Indianapolis recently hosted the NCAA’s Final Four and championship basketball games.  And the city did a great job, the whole place was energized both by the people watching the games and the city’s support of the local Butler Bulldogs.

The championship game was amazing.  A true David vs Goliath contest, Butler missed their final shot by inches and missed the biggest upset win in Indiana basketball since “Hoosiers“, but the team set a new standard for quality defense and left the game’s analysts shocked by their well played game.

Off the court, the city was putting on an equally impressive display.  Anyone could find events all weekend long to keep themselves entertained.  Just walking around downtown or hanging out on the circle, the city did a great job making sure that the Final Four was not just a one-dimensional event that fans had to pay to see, it was an experience that could be shared by anyone in the city.

The circle was a easy place for people to gather and celebrate their team’s performance, or just enjoy life in a public space

Indianapolis was able to create a welcoming and interesting environment by using its civic assets as part of the event.  For Indianapolis to do such a great job for residents, tourists, spectators, and vendors, with many events for free… that says a lot about what the city adds to every event hosted in Indianapolis.

Stadiums and conference centers are usually given all of the credit for attracting tourists and conventioneers, but that’s only part of the story.  For Indianapolis to keep attracting events and to keep impressing tourists, the city must continue investing in its public spaces.  The events halls are only open for a few hours, but the city is open 24/7.  And the much talked about “economic multiplier effect” only happens when people have something else to do.

Here are some photos from that weekend:

Another view of Lucas Oil Stadium

Banners and team emblems were plastered all over town

The stadium (and the city in general) is still missing bike infrastructure, but bicyclists know how to cope

Lucas Oil Stadium was a great venue

Fans at the Final Four open practice on Friday

The Butler players thank the fans for coming to the open practice

A lunchtime pep rally for Butler managed to draw a good crowd

The Duke players on their way to practice

Once the full cultural trail is built out, I foresee events like this past Final Four being even better and more inclusive.  Anyone staying downtown will be able to walk to the four corners of downtown or beyond, and never have to stray far from a guiding pathway.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is the best way to get around downtown – ditch the car and start biking!

Of course, Indianapolis can’t just finish building the cultural trail, dust off our collective hands, and walk away.  There is a lot of work to do downtown to make it a better public place.  But I think we’re headed in the right direction.

For more info on related topics, see posts on:  Lucas Oil Stadium (1 & 2), Hinkle Fieldhouse.