By Cornelius (Lee) Alig
When I think about Indianapolis, I see more than just a city—I see a living, evolving canvas shaped by decades of design, civic effort, and community vision. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to be part of its transformation, working on projects that reach from the sidewalk to the skyline. And through that work, I’ve learned that design is not just what we see—it’s how we live.
Indianapolis has always had great bones. As a city laid out with a clear grid system and anchored by Monument Circle, its foundation was designed for walkability and connection. But like many Midwestern cities, it has experienced waves of change: industrial growth, urban sprawl, downtown decline, and, most recently, a powerful wave of revitalization.
From Forgotten Corners to Walkable Neighborhoods
When I first began working in real estate development and urban design, many parts of downtown Indy had been hollowed out by decades of disinvestment. But even then, I could see the potential. What others saw as abandoned warehouses or underutilized buildings, I saw as the raw materials for something better.
Take Mass Ave, for example. Once a sleepy corridor, it’s now one of the most vibrant stretches in the city, full of shops, restaurants, galleries, and apartments. That transformation didn’t happen overnight. It happened because people believed in the power of design to turn forgotten corners into gathering places.
When we talk about “streetscape,” we’re talking about more than sidewalks and lampposts. We’re talking about how people interact with their surroundings. A thoughtfully designed streetscape invites people to linger, explore, and connect. That’s what makes a city feel alive.
Architecture as a Reflection of Identity
Indianapolis has never tried to be New York or Chicago, and it shouldn’t. Our strength lies in our authenticity—and our architecture reflects that. From the classical grandeur of the Indiana War Memorial to the sleek glass of modern developments like the JW Marriott, each building tells a story about the city’s values at that moment in time.
In the 1980s and ’90s, there was a push to modernize downtown, and projects like Circle Centre Mall and the Indiana Convention Center helped bring people back into the urban core. But the real shift came when we started designing not just for visitors, but for residents.
Mixed-use developments, residential towers, and public art installations have created a more human-scaled downtown. Places like the Cultural Trail—a project I believe to be one of the most visionary in the city’s history—show how landscape design, public infrastructure, and civic pride can come together in powerful ways.
The Power of Public Spaces
Designing a city isn’t just about buildings. It’s about the spaces between them.
Throughout my career, whether serving on nonprofit boards or advising development projects, I’ve consistently advocated for high-quality public spaces. Parks, plazas, and pedestrian corridors may not grab headlines, but they’re the beating heart of a livable city.
Think of places like Georgia Street, reimagined as a flexible urban promenade after the Super Bowl, or the Canal Walk, which has grown into a hub for exercise, events, and relaxation. These spaces are democratic by nature—open to everyone, shaped by the people who use them.
When we invest in the public realm, we’re making a statement: that everyone deserves access to beauty, safety, and belonging in the city they call home.
Designing for the Future
The skyline of Indianapolis continues to evolve. New developments are rising, the downtown residential population is growing, and neighborhoods like Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, and Riverside are experiencing new energy.
As we look ahead, our challenge is to keep growth inclusive. It’s easy to get caught up in shiny renderings and record-breaking square footage, but we must continue asking: Who are we building for? How does this serve the broader community? Are we preserving the character of our neighborhoods while allowing room for innovation?
I’m optimistic. We have a generation of designers, developers, and civic leaders who understand that a building is not successful just because it looks good on paper—it’s successful when it makes life better for the people who use it.
A Personal View
I’ve always believed in leading with both head and heart. That belief has guided me through every project, board role, and community initiative I’ve taken on. Design is never just a profession—it’s a calling. And Indianapolis has given me the opportunity to answer that call in countless ways.
From shaping developments to supporting preservation efforts, from talking about design on local radio to mentoring young professionals, I’ve seen how design can build more than structures—it can build connection, character, and community.
A City Designed by All of Us
Indianapolis didn’t become what it is by accident. It’s the result of thousands of intentional decisions by planners, architects, developers, artists, and citizens who cared enough to shape their environment.
As the city continues to grow and change, let’s remember that design is never done. Every sidewalk we build, every corner we activate, every skyline we sketch—it all contributes to a larger story.
And if we do it right, we won’t just build a better Indianapolis—we’ll build a city that belongs to everyone.