Reshaping the Future of 38th Street Corridor

A local community on Indianapolis' east side is working together to revitalize and restore its neighborhood, with a focus on making 38th Street safer and more accessible for all.

The effort, known as the "Hope to Action" plan, brings together churches, community members, and funding to identify ways to bring more life and resources to the area. The goal is to add amenities such as seating, financial and health education activities, and improve safety through increased street lighting.

"When I think about 38th Street, I think about a neighborhood that is in development. It has been traumatized. It's been neglected. It's been abandoned in many cases. We're seeing more abandonment with vacant buildings, and what we're trying to do is revitalize and restore our neighborhood to its economic vitality," said Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Brian Shobe.

Pastor Shobe helped bring six east side churches together to develop the Hope to Action Plan.

"It's us saying this is what we want, this is what we can do, and the spirit and the energy that's behind this is going to bring the funding community and it's gonna bring more residents than what we have now, investing in what is already ours," said resident Annie Smith.

Other focuses of the plan include providing more youth opportunities, food access, dog parks, and safety improvements. The group also hopes to transform vacant buildings into new businesses.

"I know as a resident here in the neighborhood, often or not, it is completely dark," said Ashley Gurvitz. "When we see over 30 odd properties within a 3-mile radius are vacant, a lot of ideas came to life as we are the everyday users of this community."