Feature
Association names Monument Circle one of the '10 Great Public Spaces' 10.4.11
FOX 59
The American Planning Association (APA) Tuesday announced the designation of Monument Circle as one of the 10 Great Public Spaces for 2011 under the organization’s Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners play in creating communities of lasting value.
APA singled out Monument Circle, the physical and monumental center of Indianapolis, for the impressive array of architecturally diverse buildings that provide a rich backdrop for the dramatic State Soldiers and Sailors Monument. These structures house cultural, religious and business institutions and frame the 4.5-acre Circle, providing a cohesive, clearly defined space.
“Monument Circle is a vibrant symbol of history and prosperity for Indianapolis,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “This destination point in the heart of our city is a beautiful public space that honors Hoosiers who fought to guarantee freedom during the early years of our nation. The Monument and the buildings that surround it work in harmony to create a thriving hub for arts, cultural and commercial activity that helps define the character of Indianapolis.”
Since APA began Great Places in America in 2007, the program has designated 50 Neighborhoods, 50 Streets and 40 Public Spaces in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“The evolution of Monument Circle from the prospective home of governors to unadorned public gathering space to iconic heart of a thriving downtown is testament to the ability of well-conceived plans and innovative design to create enduring civic places,” said APA Chief Executive Officer Paul Farmer, FAICP. “Building height limits and elevation setbacks – which allowed for abundant sunlight and preserved views – and more recent restoration and beautification efforts have combined to make Monument Circle the state's most recognizable and visible public space and a destination unto itself.”
Influenced by his work with Pierre L’Enfant on the plan for Washington, D.C., Alexander Ralston placed a circle in the center of the one-square-mile area that would become Downtown Indianapolis. Ralston did not specify land uses for the circle in his 1821 plan, other than for the center, which was to be the governor’s residence. The mansion, built in 1827, was never occupied.
The Circle’s focal point is now the remarkable 285-foot-tall State Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which encompasses an entire city block. For years, architects placed conventional buildings at a tangent to the Circle, but the evolution of cast-iron fronts in the 1880s allowed builders to warp facades and gave rise to more innovative architectural designs. Indiana limestone eventually would become the building material of choice for structures surrounding Monument Circle.
The unique character of the buildings lining the Circle stems from the work of architects Preston C. Rubush and Edgar O. Hunter. Their designs for the Art Deco Circle Tower at 5 E. Market St., the Columbia Club at 121 Monument Circle, and the Hilbert Circle Theatre at 45 Monument Circle redefined the public space. Numerous churches representing many denominations also have been part of the Circle’s history; however, only the Episcopal Christ Church Cathedral remains today.
As new buildings transformed the Circle, concerns arose as to whether the State Soldiers and Sailors Monument would ultimately be overshadowed. In 1922, the city limited building heights to 10 stories and established elevation setbacks to ensure the Monument’s prominence. Beautification efforts in the 1970s resulted in the installation of brick walkways along the Circle and Market Street. In the 1980s, a multimillion-dollar restoration transformed the Circle Theatre into the new home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Today Monument Circle plays host to many events and celebrations. The 500 Festival Parade takes place there each Memorial Day weekend, prior to the Indianapolis 500. The Circle of Lights celebration is a 50-year-old tradition that brings 77,000 LED lights cascading down from the top of the Monument, making it one of the nation’s largest decorative lightings.
For more information about APA Great Public Spaces, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces. This year's Great Places in America will be celebrated as part of APA's National Community Planning Month in October. For more about the special month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm.
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