Gateway Circle
Design Competion
Indianapolis, Indiana
Selected as the winning
submission for the 2006 Rotary Gateways Partnership, Monumental Gateway
Design Competition, the Gateway Circle represents a collaborative design
solution of landmark proportions for the future identity of the City
of Indianapolis. Sponsored by the Downtown Indianapolis Rotary Club,
and sanctioned by numerous business, governmental, and institutional
stakeholders, the Gateway Circle represents a multi-phased opportunity
to redevelop a heavily congested and visually nondescript portion of
the northwest side of near downtown into a high image, and highly functional
iconic entrance into the downtown regional center, and beyond.
Soaring 20 stories above the surrounding streets and visible for miles, the high tech circular stainless steel structure represents the ‘entry door’ to the community based on the historic image of the ‘circle city’, first established in 1821 by the Alexander Ralston Plat for Indianapolis. The circular theme also expounds upon Indianapolis as the racing capital of the world; the amateur and professional sports center of the country; the medical, life sciences and bio-technology industries established and blossoming in the region; the transportation based crossroads of America; and the strategically expanding logistical and distribution hub encircling the city. It’s all a-round us, past, present and future!
The circle, and its perfect geometry, infinite with no beginning - no end, is also used for the urban design challenge. Utilizing three new round-a-bouts, the infrastructure design plan has removed seven (7) traffic signals, and introduces a new interchange at I-65 and West Street. Reduced accidents, pollution, congestion and wait times, are just a few of the advantages of this design. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street will become a median divided boulevard, forming the front door to the adjacent Flanner Neighborhood, with thematic amenities paying tribute to King, Crispus Attucks, and Freeman Briley Ransom. A portion of West Street will be below street grade to allow for direct transition into and out of the core of the city without traffic conflict. Pedestrian circulation will also be a priority over West Street to overcome the current barrier that exist today.
The connectivity, sense of community, visual enhancements, improved transportation systems, expanded city identity, and the establishment a landmark icon visible from afar, all keep this project in the forefront of our efforts.
