Update on Indy – November 2: Washington Square Mall for Sale, Forest Preservation Funding, and Smarter Neighborhoods
- Michael-Paul Hart
- 49 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Councilor Michael-Paul Hart
Working to Make Indianapolis the Smartest City in America
🏙️ Washington Square Mall – The Turning Point
This week, I had one of the most important meetings yet about Washington Square Mall and for the first time in years, I was able to connect directly with a representative from Durga Properties, the mall’s ownership group.
That conversation came after a court hearing between Durga and the Marion County Health Department. Until now, it’s been nearly impossible to reach anyone beyond their local property manager, so finally speaking with someone from Durga was a big step.
We talked openly about the condition of the mall, its importance to the east side, and what the future could look like. I asked the question that’s on everyone’s mind: “Is the mall for sale?”
The answer — “Everything is always for sale.”
That was the breakthrough moment. I immediately offered to help identify legitimate local and national partners who could reimagine this property. My next steps include working with city planning and development organizations to explore real opportunities for redevelopment and bringing all stakeholders to the table.
My goal is simple, to find new ownership or a partnership that will finally unlock the potential of Washington Square Mall site for our community.
That’s leadership in action, connecting people, cutting through red tape, and helping turn east-side challenges into long-term opportunities.
🌳 Forest Preservation – Protecting Indy’s Natural Assets
For the past two years, I’ve been proud to support a local advocacy group called Forest for Indy, which has been pushing for dedicated funding to protect Marion County’s forests.
This week, Councilors Boots, Barth, and I met with Forest for Indy and other stakeholders to map out the creation of a Forest Preservation Fund. This non-reverting fund would allow us to act quickly when land preservation opportunities arise.
We recently discovered that a land acquisition fund already exists within Indy Parks, but no clear process was in place to use it for preservation. That’s now changing. Together, we’re preparing a proposal to move $1 million from DPW’s stormwater fund into the new Forest Preservation Fund.
For the east side, this means new possibilities for the Eastside Flatwoods, over 100 acres of urban forest that could one day become a protected nature preserve. Imagine turning that space into a county destination for outdoor recreation, family activities, and environmental education.
That’s part of the vision for the Smartest City in America, balancing growth with preservation, investing in both people and place.
🏘️ Knoll Ridge – Standing Up for Tenants
On Thursday, I met with leaders from the Town of Cumberland to discuss serious ongoing
issues at the Knoll Ridge Apartments on Washington Street. The reports from residents, including mold, pests, and unsafe living conditions, are unacceptable.
Together, we’re taking action. In the next two weeks, SmartIndy will host a tenant education pop-up event right at Knoll Ridge. We’ll teach residents how to:
Use the Mayor’s Action Center to report exterior code violations
File complaints with the Marion County Health Department for interior issues
Understand their rights as tenants under Indiana law and Marion County Ordinance
Real accountability starts with empowerment. By helping residents advocate for themselves, we’re building a stronger foundation for long-term change.
This is what leadership looks like, not waiting for someone else to fix it, but showing up, educating, and organizing to get results.
💡 SmartIndy Reminder – Join Us with Mayor Ballard
A quick reminder — our next SmartIndy event with former Mayor Greg Ballard is coming up next week.
This event is part of our mission to build the Smartest City in America one where data, technology, and community all work together to improve how government serves people.
I hope you’ll join us, bring a friend, and see firsthand how SmartIndy is leading the conversation about what’s possible for our city and county.
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.
