For those of us who’ve watched the inspired growth and development of downtown Indianapolis through the years, it’s hard to understand sometimes the amazement some express at what’s been created.
It didn’t happen overnight. And it didn’t happen in a vacuum. So I can’t help but be amused at the raves Indiana’s capital city is receiving in wake of the recent Super Bowl spectacle, which raised Indy’s profile to new heights — both nationally and internationally.
The sports facilities are great!
Yeah, they’ve been good and getting better for a while now. Lucas Oil Stadium — which replaced the old Hoosier Dome (I never liked calling it the RCA Dome) — certainly is the biggest jewel in an already shiny crown.
The events were so organized and the city handled the crush of people in such a professional way!
Remember, while this was the biggest test to date, it was not Indy’s first big-time rodeo. The city has hosted the Pan Am Games, major NCAA tournaments (including Final Fours and the first-ever Big Ten Football Championship just last December), and for a century has been home to the Indianapolis 500 auto race (props to Terre Haute’s Tony Hulman for creating what that spectacle eventually became). There is probably nothing Indy can’t handle.
The city is so compact. Everything is within walking distance!
Ah, the beauty of a walkable downtown. That’s among the main reasons a small city such as New Orleans has been able to be a successful host to major events, including multiple Super Bowls. (Bourbon Street and the Super Dome have helped, of course.) Indy has seized upon that model.
From accounts I’ve read and heard, downtown Indy was a highly energized place during Super Bowl weekend and the preceding week. I didn’t venture into that madness, but was there for a couple days the previous week. The anticipation was evident, the city looked great and new amenities were striking. The reconstructed Georgia Street pedestrian walkway that links Conseco Fieldhouse (oops, make that Bankers Life Fieldhouse) and the entrance to the Indiana Convention Center is spectacular.
As “outstaters,” the not-always-affectionate way Indy residents refer to the rest of us out here in Hoosier Land, we can be truly proud of what our state capital has accomplished. The entire state has benefited from Indy’s vision.
I hasten to add that Terre Haute will be experiencing an important moment in its rebirth in a few weeks when the IHSAA girls high school basketball championships are played at Hulman Center. While obviously on a much smaller scale, the potential impact on the city is nonetheless real.
Local development, commitment and spirit have been strong and getting stronger for years. What an event such as the IHSAA championships does is allow the city to boost its image among outsiders, especially visitors from other Hoosier communities.
Terre Haute has shown it can successfully handle extraordinary events such as the NCAA Cross Country Championships, Colts camp, etc. Now it has a chance to show off a little more for those who may not yet know about the progress.
Indianapolis is an example of what vision and energy can produce. Terre Haute is showing that even smaller cities can do so as well.
Max Jones can be reached at (812) 231-4336, or by email at max.jones@tribstar.com. Follow Max on Twitter: @TribStarMax.
Max Jones
Related Photos
-
Max Jones, Tribune-Star editor
Discussion
MAX JONES: It is amazing what an energized downtown can do
- Max Jones
-
-
MAX JONES: News dynamics sometimes test an editor’s principles
It has been a long-standing policy at the Tribune-Star not to publish the names of crime victims
-
MAX JONES: Got a question for Lugar-Mourdock debate? Submit it
Hoosier voters, especially those who choose a Republican ballot for the May 8 primary election, face a difficult decision this spring. Longtime U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar faces a spirited re-election challenge from state Treasurer Richard Mourdock for the GOP Senate nomination. The winner advances to a general election showdown in the fall with the presumed Democrat nominee, Rep. Joe Donnelly, and any third-party or independent candidates who qualify to run.
-
MAX JONES: The sun never sets on Indiana’s time-zone debate
When Mitch Daniels aggressively pushed for Indiana to adopt daylight-saving time in his first term as governor, I admit I was not enthusiastic. The state, I figured, had found a way to handle its awkward time-zone geography by merely maintaining the time status quo while states around it changed their clocks twice a year. We peacefully coexisted with that strategy for a couple of decades.
-
MAX JONES: It is amazing what an energized downtown can do
For those of us who’ve watched the inspired growth and development of downtown Indianapolis through the years, it’s hard to understand sometimes the amazement some express at what’s been created.
-
MAX JONES: More changes and challenges, but we’re getting there
As a newspaper lands on your porch each day, or you grab it from a local vendor, the complex manufacturing process that goes into producing it is probably the furthest thing from your mind.
-
MAX JONES: Arranging the pieces so it all makes sense
Putting together a newspaper, with its diverse mix of content, is sort of like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. You just have to keep mixing, matching and playing with the pieces until things begin to look right.
-
MAX JONES: Community newspapers too valuable to go away
These days, rarely a week goes by without someone — a co-worker, a friend, a professional associate, an acquaintance, etc. — asking for my thoughts about the future of the newspaper industry.
-
MAX JONES: Angry emotion yet to rear its head in mayoral race
October has arrived. Five weeks remain before Election Day, and a staple ingredient seems to be missing from Terre Haute’s mayoral campaign season.
-
MAX JONES: Join us as we walk in the shadows of 9/11
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 has sparked renewed interest toward a haunting time in modern history. With all that’s happened the past 10 years related to the terrorist attacks of 2001, it still seems like only yesterday that we all were watching those terrible images of commercial airliners flying into buildings, towers collapsing and grief-stricken people all across America — and the world — mourning the victims.
-
MAX JONES: 9/11 ‘moments’ still vivid 10 years later
With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, Americans are recalling in vivid detail where they were when they first learned of the terrorist attacks.
-
MAX JONES: Something special — courtesy of your newspaper
Publishing a daily newspaper is our bread and butter here at the Tribune-Star.
-
MAX JONES: Ernie Pyle never ceases bringing pride to Indiana
Once again, Ernie Pyle has made me proud to be a journalist.
-
MAX JONES: What do you know about that founding Declaration?
Of all the national holidays Americans celebrate, July 4th — Independence Day — sports the most essential link to the country’s shared history and ideals.
-
MAX JONES: Ready, action! Video lets us tell even better stories
Those of you who make the Tribune-Star’s online edition part of your reading routine — and there are approximately 40,000 of you each week who do so — have been treated recently to an enhanced feature on our website.
-
MAX JONES: Vigo County played active role in Civil War history
When the Tribune-Star set out to find a way to commemorate Vigo County’s unique role in Civil War history on the 150th anniversary of its beginning, I was concerned it might be difficult to find much information on the subject locally.
-
MAX JONES: Local seminar to shed light on access
Transparency in public information is an important principle for the proper functioning of government at all levels. Vigilance is key in ensuring that public records and meetings remain open and accessible to citizens of our communities.
-
MAX JONES: Readers benefit from new resource
The Tribune-Star’s primary mission is to report news and tell stories that are relevant to our large community of readers, helping them be better informed and more engaged citizens.
-
MAX JONES: Farewell to Stephanie, for a while
The Tribune-Star and its legions of readers throughout the Wabash Valley were extremely fortunate six years ago to welcome back a native daughter.
-
MAX JONES: Friends ready for next big step at Pyle historic site
The campaign to preserve the legacy of World War II journalist Ernie Pyle in his hometown of Dana passed a milestone last week. Indiana’s Natural Resources Commission voted to end the state’s involvement in the Pyle historic site and turn it over to the Friends of Ernie Pyle organization.
-
Max Jones: Taking the pulse of community progress
Terre Haute and Vigo County have been in a period of vibrant change in recent years.
- MAX JONES: Christmas miracles can still happen You don’t have to wander far to find people who remember vividly when downtown Terre Haute was the place to be during the Christmas
- EDITOR'S NOTE: Appearance of corruption a strong incentive for reform Today, and for the following two days, Tribune-Star readers are being treated to a remarkable series of editorials and essays produced by the Indianapolis Star.
- MAX JONES: Tough times call for lots of encouragement The last college and high school classes of the first decade of the 21st century have begun receiving their diplomas . Expectations are high, even as economic times are hard.
-
MAX JONES: Printed newspaper will be here for years to come
Whenever I speak to groups or individuals around the community about the state of the newspaper industry, I often get confused looks when I say that newspaper readership is growing rapidly and has never been higher.
-
MAX JONES: Daniels off the hook on time-zone issue
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when I figured I’d be mad at Mitch Daniels the rest of my life. As one of many, many Hoosiers angered by the change in Indiana’s way of dealing with its time-zone problem, I blamed Gov. Daniels for not leaving well enough alone.
-
MAX JONES: Voters anxious to get news about candidates
Labor Day historically marks the beginning of the fall season for political campaigning. That has been true most years in which elections are conducted. This year, however, such a designation may be greeted will little more than a chuckle.
-
MAX JONES: Voters will be big winners in fall gubernatorial debates
Twice in September and once in October, Indiana voters will have an opportunity to participate in and witness, in person or via electronic media, debates among the state’s three candidates for governor.
-
Editor's Note: A local connection in office of Public Access Counselor
Residents of Vigo County, and readers of the Tribune-Star, have been treated to a good lesson on open government the past few weeks in wake of formal complaints that the Terre Haute Housing Authority violated state laws governing public meetings.
-
EDITOR'S NOTE Sounding the bell for those who hear different drummer
Are there any bagpipers out there? If so, please take a deep breath and step forward.
- Max Jones: Forum will help you get to know spring candidates With the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in full frenzy, you probably don’t need to be reminded that Indiana’s primary election is just over three weeks away.
- More Max Jones Headlines
-
MAX JONES: News dynamics sometimes test an editor’s principles
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Castro's Daughter Takes on U.S.-Cuban Relations
1 Dead After Crop-Dusters Collide in Midair
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: School Bus Hits House
Romney: "I'd Like Every Parent to Have a Choice"
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Joplin Rebuilds Stronger, Greener After Tornado
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Fight erupts in Ukrainian parliament over language bill.
Racy ad encourages safe sex for senior citizens
New Video of The Dark Knight Rises Released by Warner Brothers
Coach dismissed after going to prom with student
Jennifer Lopez's Rock Hard Abs
Plane Passenger Records Engine Hatch Blowing Off
What Katy Perry Thinks Makes Her Hot
Toddlers Mistake Laundry Detergent TidePods for Candy, Get Poisoned
Anderson Kicks Guest Off Show
Lolo Jones Admits Trouble Keeping Boyfriends
Behind 'Breaking Bad's' Big Bang
Big Bang Theory Star Comes Out
Laundromat video: It was the babysitter and her friend
"The Choking Game" - Deadly Trend for Youth
Sanchez Eager to Start Her Career after 'Idol'
K.Stew's Topless Confession at Cannes
American Idol Crowns a Champ
