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Where is the Rock Flat?
Where is the Rock Flat?
The Rock Flat is between the former site of the GM processing plant and the White River. It is immediately south of the White River State Park and the Indianapolis Zoo.
Its location makes it a popular site for cycling, jogging, fishing, picnicking, and generally enjoying time outdoors.
The built structures in the area make it a suitable location for communities of unhoused Hoosiers to establish neighborhoods.
Former GM Stamping Plant, 2014, via IndyStar
Conceptual Elanco site plan, 2020, via IndyStar.
Photo of the proposed Elanco site, January 2023, for Tactical Indy.
Timeline of Rock Flat Projects
Timeline of Rock Flat Projects
September 2019: Ambrose announces plans to sell the GM Stamping Plant site so they can pivot to industrial real estate and e-commerce.
October 2019: City of Indianapolis threatens to seize the site from Ambrose via eminent domain if they refuse to sell it back to the City. There is some disagreement regarding how the Waterside project contracts impact Ambrose's ability to sell the land. Ambrose responds by suing the City, claiming that the use of eminent domain would violate the project contracts.
December 2020: Ambrose sells the GM Stamping Plant site for development as the new headquarters for Elanco Animal Health and drops the lawsuit against the City.
July 2021: The City provides further financial incentives for Elanco Animal Health. More information is revealed regarding plans for the site, which will include outdoor park space and unspecified improvements to the waterfront. Notably, the site itself does not include the land directly along the White River.
April 2022: Elanco releases more information about their plans for the site. The City responds by saying that requirements regarding windows, landscaping, and bicycle parking will need to be addressed. Elanco plans to begin construction by November 2022.
January 2023: Some evidence of construction is visible, it appears to be site preparation work. There is a structure on the site, but it appears older than 2020. It is unclear what the plan for this structure is.
Why Do We Care?
Why Do We Care?
The Rock Flat site has the potential to be a major outdoor recreation space in Indy. Residents already use it for so many of their outdoor recreation needs. The Rock Flat just needs stewardship; when kept clear of litter, enhanced with benches, and used as a venue for community-building events, the Rock Flat can become so much more than it is today.
The City has already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in development plans which will never come to fruition. They're continuously providing millions of dollars in bonds and financial incentives to various developers, to no effect. It's time for Indy residents to reclaim the space.
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