Update on Indy – October 19: SmartIndy Leads on Housing, Washington Square, and City Hall Integrity.
- Michael-Paul Hart
- Oct 19
- 3 min read
By Councilor Michael-Paul Hart
Working to Make Indianapolis the Smartest City in America
SmartIndy Event: Homelessness & Housing
This week was energizing. SmartIndy hosted its first public panel on homelessness and housing, and nearly 90 people showed up. More than 150 signed up to keep the conversation going. That tells me Indy is ready to move from talk to action.
The discussion centered on compassion and collaboration. The message was clear: if we want a smarter city, we need to focus upstream. We can’t just respond to homelessness; we have to prevent it.
That’s why I’m forming the SmartIndy Policy Committee on Homelessness and Housing. One of our policy coordinators will lead the work, partnering with organizations and people across Marion County to develop real, measurable policy improvements.
The event reminded me why SmartIndy exists: to bring people together, share knowledge, and design smarter systems. For the first time in years, we’re seeing proactive leadership focused on prevention. This is how we build the Smartest City in America: by learning, listening, and leading.
Washington Square Mall - Court Hearing Follow-Up
I attended court this week for two hearings involving Washington Square Mall: Durga Properties vs Marion County Health Department. The first case dealt with ongoing water leaks; inspectors testified the damage is still there. The judge fined the owners $1,000 and gave them until December 11 to fix it. The second case was about ventilation in the common areas. No fines were issued, but the same December 11 deadline was set.
I’ll be honest, the rulings were disappointing. The evidence was strong, and residents deserve more accountability. After the hearing, I met with the site inspector to be added as a witness for the next case and connected directly with the Prosecution. The owner, I’ve learned, is elderly and ready to move on, which may finally open the door for a real plan for the property’s future.
Between now and the next hearing, I plan to meet one-on-one with the attorney representing Durga Properties to get a clearer picture of what’s really happening behind the scenes. I want to understand what parts of the property have been sold off in recent years, who owns which sections today, and how willing the owners are to make meaningful improvements or how quickly they want to get out.
This clarity matters. Right now, even basic enforcement is complicated because ownership is so fragmented, no one knows exactly who’s responsible for what. That’s part of why the surrounding roads remain full of potholes and unresolved maintenance issues. Getting straight answers will help us hold the right people accountable and move this property toward a real plan for its future.
A Call for Leadership at City Hall:
If we want a city that truly works for people, integrity has to be the baseline. The Smartest City in America can’t be built on low standards and insider deals.
I’ll continue working with the many good people inside the city government who care deeply about Indianapolis. My job is to serve District 20 and the people of this city with transparency and respect, and that will never change.
Change won’t happen overnight. It takes involvement. Attend meetings, ask questions, stay engaged, and hold all of us accountable. That’s how we build a city that works smarter, not slower, and it starts right here, with us.
My Commitment to Indy
My commitment to Indianapolis hasn’t changed. I love this city and believe in what it can become. We have the talent, creativity, and grit to build something exceptional, a city that works smarter, grows stronger, and takes care of its people.
Whether it’s holding property owners accountable, improving how we address homelessness, or demanding higher standards at City Hall, my focus stays the same: progress through honesty and collaboration.
Thank you for reading and for supporting common‑sense leadership. Together, and with the community driving accountability, we are turning bold ideas into real‑world results.
Accountability, Transparency and Local Leadership
See you next week with more updates from the Neighborhood.
