About IDO
"The Irvington Development Organization (IDO) shall promote the unique attributes of historic Irvington in an effort to attract positive development and create a balance of businesses in the area, with a focus on maintaining a vital main street corridor and a thriving neighborhood. Additionally, IDO shall work to ensure that revitalization efforts are compatible with the character of the Irvington community and enhance the quality of life for Irvington and Indianapolis residents."
Our History
In 2002, community leaders who were concerned with the decline in the number and types of businesses along Washington Street established the Irvington Development Organization, a membership-based non-profit aimed at preserving the neighborhood's stability and charm while also encouraging measured economic growth.
The IDO Board includes representatives from the Historic Irvington Community Council, Irvington Historical Society, Association of Irvington Merchants, Irvington Garden Club and the Irvington Guild of Artists. Having the participation of these different groups on the Board helps IDO approach development issues from a broad-based and collaborative perspective.
Interested in learning more about IDO? Contact us and we will help you.
Programs
- Washington Corridor Streetscape Project
IDO and other neighborhood groups established the Streetscape Project in 2003 to revitalize The Historic Irvington Business District.
- Irvington Green Initiative
IDO launched this initiative to explore the possibility of our community serving as a pilot neighborhood for the mayor’s Indy GreenPrint program.
- View all programs...
Join IDO
Support Irvington's positive growth by becoming a member of IDO. Join Now!
Accomplishments
IDO is proud of what its members, working together, have accomplished. Here are some highlights:
- A $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve the Washington Streetscape between Irvington and Bolton avenues. More than half of the $300,000 needed from the local community has already been raised.
- A grant and support from the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) to hire a full-time corridor director.
- More than $60,000 in matching grants from the Fostering Commercial Urban Strategies (FOCUS) Initiative to assist more than a dozen local businesses in making façade improvements.
- Through collaboration with the Irvington Historical Society, Historic Irvington Community Council and city of Indianapolis, a $5,500 grant from Preserve America to prepare feasibility studies of two historically significant buildings and market vacant properties in the Historic Irvington Business District.
- An economic development plan for the business district that will help us to chart our business growth through this year and beyond.
- A new Business Directory that will be mailed to every home and business in Irvington.
- A website (this one!) and newsletter that help spread the word about IDO news and economic development.