Monon Boulevard & Midtown Plaza could get city global recognition
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) today announced 21 finalists for its 2022 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence, one of the most prestigious awards programs in the real estate industry. This year’s finalists include 19 developments in the United States and two in Canada.
Monon Boulevard and Midtown Plaza are what could take Carmel to the ULI Global Awards for Excellent, should the city take the Americas Awards.
As part of the 2012 Midtown Master Plan, Monon Boulevard expands the former “rails-to-trails” Monon Greenway project into a complete street, providing accessibility and multi-modal transportation options through dedicated sidewalks, high speed and local bike lanes, and roadway. Often referred to as Carmel’s “beach-front property,” Monon Boulevard is the backbone of Carmel spurring the rebirth of a formerly abandoned industrial corridor into the thriving Midtown redevelopment area. Providing a local connection from Carmel’s Art & Design District to City Center and bikeable connection to neighboring Indianapolis, Westfield, and Sheridan, the district now hosts a diverse mix of residents, workers, and visitors with opportunities to engage with the community in meaningful and accessible ways.
Midtown Plaza, the largest recreation area integrated into the project, has become the “backyard” for the many apartment dwellers and workers in the district and a popular destination for more remote Carmel residents and visitors. Carmel provided 124 events in 2021, from Movies at Midtown and lunchtime concerts to the International Arts Festival, Holiday Trolley rides, and talent competitions open to people of all ages. Every day, children can be found playing on the lawn while their parents play outdoor billiards and enjoy the local brewery or taproom. Teens are often spotted playing ping-pong or chatting with friends on the adult swings.
This year, awards categories included Equitable Development, Low-carbon Development, Resilient Development, Small-Scale Development, and Urban Open Space, in addition to an open category that considers projects of all types. Winners will be announced this summer and will become finalists in the 2022 ULI Global Awards for Excellence, along with the winners of the Europe and Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence. Winners of the Global Awards will be announced in the fall.
The Awards for Excellence program, established in 1979 and subsequently expanded globally, is the centerpiece of ULI’s efforts to identify and promote best practices in all types of real estate development. For more information about the ULI Americas Awards for Excellence, visit uli.org/aae. For more information about the ULI Global Awards for Excellence, visit uli.org/gae.