Multi-million dollar construction project wrapping up along South Meridian

INDIANAPOLIS — Local business owners near Lucas Oil Stadium are breathing a sigh of relief after a long-anticipated construction project soon comes to an end along South Meridian Street from Arizona to McCarty.

“Construction makes it challenging,” said Paula Shoultz, who owns the Archivist. “I am sort of at the edge of it, so I am not as affected as some of my neighbors and friends. The walkability factor has been a challenge in this neighborhood.”

Shoultz is one of many local business owners in this area counting down the days until this nearly $8 million dollar project is complete.

“I guess the most frustrating thing is my friends and business owners who really depend on that steady stream [of income] and they’ve really been missing it,” Shoultz said. “I feel like, couldn’t there be something more to give them more visibility throughout all of this, that’s my biggest frustration.”

Shapiro’s Delicatessen across the street from the Archivist could not speak with our FOX59/CBS4 crews today about the impact of the construction project but did provide the following statement:

“ Obviously it’s challenging but Counselor Kristen Jones is on top of it. Fortunately, Shapiro’s customers are determined to get to us .”

The good news for local business owners is the project will be wrapping up this fall.

The DMD Lift Indy – Old Southside Project has been in the works since the end of 2022. The project includes major streetscape and stormwater infrastructure improvements along with the addition of new sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. Although it’s been a long time coming, Indy DPW expects the project to wrap up in mid-October.

“Now is the time we need folks coming in and boosting us up because we’ve got lots of great services to offer,” Shoultz said.

While the road work is wrapping up this fall, there could be some new development opportunities coming to this area in the next few years as well. This area recently saw the addition of a new apartment complex, The Rise on Meridian Apartment Complex, and business owners like Shoultz said it’s exciting to see what the future holds for this community.

“My biggest hope is that we get infused with some excitement, with some lively people, and we can infuse them with the stuff we have got to offer, the food and creativity,” she said.

Indy DPW wants to remind drivers that the area of Morris and Meridian will be closed after Labor Day for the final round of work. For more information on the project, click here.

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