Indianapolis Cultural Trail Expansion

This updated comprehensive plan includes new strategies to guide the community’s future direction in a progressive and insightful way.‍

Charting a Five-Year Vision

A clear roadmap for sustainable growth, economic vitality, and enhanced quality of life

A master plan that envisions an iconic campus open space, establishes a circulation hierarchy, and unifies disparate spaces within the campus core.

A new student residential neighborhood for Ball State University.

REA is working with the City of Beech Grove Redevelopment Commission (RDC) to develop a comprehensive study that integrates redevelopment and economic development into a unified vision for the city’s future. This adaptable, long-term framework will promote community health, attract residents and businesses, and position Beech Grove as a vibrant, thriving community.‍

A new downtown park that transforms a former parking area into an active civic gathering space with a versatile performance stage and sculpture revitalizes surrounding development.

A plan outlines a series of gateways for the City of Bloomington, Indiana that were inspired by the extraordinary depth of the city’s culture and history. Through research and conversations with the public, our design team translated the city’s story and identity into a robust palette of complementary forms and materials.

This plan aims to address the planning needs and policy goals of this diverse community, offering a roadmap for future growth and sustainability.

Broadway Square is the reimagining a half-acre civic plaza in downtown Fargo as part of a new, mixed-used development. The plaza complements the city’s ongoing revitalization efforts. The space creates a gathering space for the community by transforms an existing underutilized space into a highly-programmed public space that can be used year-round for a variety of events.

The Cambridge City Comprehensive Plan outlines a vision and strategic framework for future development, redevelopment, and community building projects within the Town.

The city of Detroit’s downtown area has become a dynamic destination through the development of Campus Martius park. As a multi-faceted gathering space, it offers special features and year-round events. Campus Martius Designed is place for people to gather, as well as a place of beauty for rest and reflection. Its connecting streets form a walkable new district. Since its opening, the park has accelerated downtown Detroit’s resurgence as a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly commercial, retail, and entertainment area.‍

Once the former site of Wolf Run Golf Course, this 215-acre landscape is envisioned to become a signature regional park and wildlife sanctuary for the community.

The revitalization of a civic green space to provide a home for the farmers’ market and a Winter Holiday Village adjacent to one of Carmel’s most iconic destinations, the Performing Arts Center.

The central Clarksville area, including the Lewis and Clark Parkway and Broadway District, is comprised of 600 acres of primarily commercial land. The district includes two commercial corridors and two regional shopping malls, with much of the area adjacent to Interstate 65. To allow for this kind of development, most of the land is currently zoned B2 – large format commercial businesses – and Veterans Parkway Corridor Zone (VPCZ) – retail commercial focused with form-based development standards. The district also includes several smaller neighborhood commercial developments and both single family and multi-family housing.

In this vision study, we explored the need for more greenspace and trail investments in Charlotte's SouthPark activity center – a highly auto-dominated area. Whether by public or private interests, we developed a plan for great streets, more parks and plazas, improved greenspace, and safer intersections. The team also explored substantial changes to existing road sections with clear hierarchies to shift automobile patterns and include space for bikes and pedestrians.

A long-range, 20-year community visioning document that outlined the desired land use, transportation, neighborhood, economic development, and community character strategies for growth, development, and redevelopment for the City of Greensburg and Decatur County.‍

A vision and plan for growth and transportation based upon preservation of the unique natural and cultural assets of the community and a desire for connected, walkable, mixed-use districts.

Investigation of the current and potential economic impact of the Interstate 69 corridor on Delaware and Grant Counties in Indiana.

The landscape and beautification master plan is a framework for the Economic Improvement District to focus its advocacy and funding efforts in the area of placemaking and beautification. Our plan builds upon the 2016 Evansville Downtown Master Plan Update by advancing a vision of Downtown Evansville as an activated, innovative, connected neighborhood. Landscape and beautification enhancements will stimulate the creation of new retail, dining, and residential experiences.

As lead designer, we are helping redevelop the east section of Historic Market Street in Downtown Indianapolis. The DPW project will transform the prominent and congested area into a safe and accessible space for pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles.

Preparing for new opportunities and investment over the next 20 years through a Comprehensive Plan update.

A master plan that celebrates, enhances and connects people to native ecosystems and the abundant local wildlife, adding to Zionsville‘s philosophy of “town within a park.”

Envision Franklin articulates the long-term vision of the kind of places that Franklin’s residents, businesses, and institutions want for their future. The Plan provides policies that reinforce this collective vision by directing future development in a way that strengthens the City and creates exceptional places for people. The Plan sets forth a framework that provides support in making land-use decisions, managing the quality of development, determining the timing and location of future growth, and directing investment and development activity. This is accomplished through a series of unique design concept classifications to identify primary and secondary uses, development form and intensity, site design principals, and related transportation infrastructure.

A seven-year master plan that serves as a road map for attracting a new generation of young talent, vitality, and investment through four transformative ideas to revitalize the downtown.

An update to the existing 40-year old UDO, that will express a progressive vision that promotes thoughtful growth and protects the health, safety, and welfare of the community along with the property rights and values of its citizens.

This bicycle and pedestrian master plan was created to enhance and complete a system that would provide residents with attractive alternative transportation choices and recreational opportunities.

This project began with a master plan process in order to holistically assess all future gateway and wayfinding opportunities. Then we worked with the city to formulate subsequent design and construction documents to realize their priority projects.

Flat Fork Creek Park is a 60-acre environmental park and recreational playground. But before it was a park, it was a farm. Located along the rural edges of Hamilton County and adjacent to a developing residential neighborhood, the existing site was largely flat with approximately two feet of elevation change except for a patch of dense woods around the creek.

The City of Franklin undertook an extensive, community-driven planning process to create a bicycle and pedestrian master plan. It outlines a vision for biking and walking in Franklin, with goals and objectives to help guide the implementation of the vision.‍

Data-driven, aspirational policies shaped by input.

Conceptual design and implementation strategy for streetscape, open space, and mixed-use redevelopment opportunities, focused on increased connectivity, improving the pedestrian experience, and spurring private investment.

A comprehensive plan focused on revitalizing the downtown core, creating economic development opportunities toward the interstate, and increasing housing diversity in this historic community in the center of the Illinois Valley.

The plan balances ecological preservation with strategic improvements that enhance visitor experience, accessibility, and long-term operational sustainability. Informed by extensive stakeholder collaboration and public engagement, the master plan establishes a fifteen-year framework for thoughtful growth. Key recommendations include strengthened arrival and orientation experiences, expanded educational opportunities, improved circulation, and new spaces that celebrate the site’s rich history and enduring legacy.

The cherished Holliday Park playground, a well-known and beloved destination in Indianapolis, has undergone a transformative reimagination. It has evolved into a truly inclusive, engaging, versatile, and vibrant commons, assuring a playground and park space of unparalleled appeal. Carefully crafted to embrace visitors of all backgrounds and intentionally designed to foster a connection with the natural world, these revitalized amenities draw residents and visitors alike throughout the seasons. It is one of the city's iconic open spaces, symbolizing a new era of communal enjoyment and connection with nature.

IU-Health Hospital in Bloomington recently built a new facility on the east side of the city, which left a prime redevelopment opportunity near downtown and the newly opened Switchyard Park. A great opportunity exists to connect the popular B-line Trail as one of the first phases of the redevelopment. We were engaged to assist with furthering the City's vision as a pedestrian and bike friendly greenway combined with a linear park experience punctuated with public amenities and stormwater features.‍

The Indianapolis Art Center is embarking on a transformative plan to reimagine its campus and deepen its connection to the White River. As the landscape architect and lead designer, REA developed a forward-looking master plan that aligns with the Art Center’s mission to build community through art.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a one-of-a-kind, multi-modal trail facility nested in an urban environment. Punctuated with contemporary public art, this project has become an international model for urban trail design and is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. An ambitious and bold vision, the ICT has created a more connected and sustainable community in which to live, work, play, and learn. We were charged with establishing a dynamic icon for the city of Indianapolis that would integrate an 8-mile long linear park within busy downtown streets, connect neighborhoods and cultural amenities, and thereby enhance the city’s quality of life.

A vision for the historic renovation of the last remaining open space from the Olmsted Brothers’ 1930s plan, adapting it to the modern campus and protecting it from the pressures of future development.

After aiding the City of Richmond in securing a “Stellar Community” designation in 2013, the City commissioned REA to lead design efforts for a new downtown urban park, one of several projects identified during the grant application process to catalyze redevelopment in Richmond’s downtown core. Jack Elstro Plaza is a one-half block park sited between the city’s historic Main Street and US 40, which carries a significant amount of vehicular traffic through the City.

The Jacobsville neighborhood of Evansville, Indiana has transformed its Main Street corridor by investing in its active public realm; it serves as an example of how city leaders, community members, and designers can use a multi-purpose approach to make a significant impact on a neighborhood to catalyze economic and social investment.

The Jacobsville Redevelopment Area Plan Update was developed to create a long-term community vision for redevelopment and investment into the heart of the Jacobsville neighborhood. The Jacobsville Area Community Corporation (JACC) asked us to create a plan that will support the community’s desire to become a lively, walkable, and safe destination for residents and visitors.

The Courthouse Square Redevelopment in Jasper, Indiana is an ambitious modernization of a mid-century streetscape. Surrounded by historic commercial buildings, with the Dubois County Courthouse at its center, the infrastructure in the square had not seen significant reinvestment for decades. The amount of impervious pavement combined with the site topography presented challenges.

Creating welcoming, vibrant, and active public spaces with connectivity to multimodal transportation facilities utilizing a progressive and sustainable approach to site design.

The two-phase Z21: Zoning for the 21st Century initiative for Kenton County involved review and assessment of the zoning ordinances for eleven cities/towns as well as unincorporated Kenton County. Ordinances were reviewed with respect to community and staff concerns, broader planning and zoning trends, and their recently completed comprehensive plan.

Lebanon Redefined is a comprehensive plan that outlines a vision and strategic framework for future development in Lebanon. The city’s 2007 plan did not reflect today’s realities or respond to changing conditions. Most importantly, it no longer represented the goals of the community. A new kind of plan was essential.

Main Street Square is a venue for year-round events, recreation, and unique art exhibits for residents and visitors. Regional geography, community history and culture are reflected in the park’s artistic features.‍

We were engaged as subconsultants to Orion Planning + Design to conduct a comprehensive audit of Maui County, Hawaii's county-wide zoning code. Prior to the initiation of the audit, Title 19 had not been through a comprehensive review or rewrite since 1960.

Growth with a small-town feel.

A bustling boulevard that has become the central spine through Ball State University campus. We developed a new streetscape experience with increased safety for its pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Monon Boulevard and Midtown Plaza is a 7.4-acre multi-use linear park. Once an industrial corridor, the site is located in the heart of Carmel, Indiana. A reimagination of the site began in 2002 when the city completed a 5.2-mile section of the Monon Trail, opening doors for the Arts & Design and City Center. A decade later, Carmel prepared a plan to expand the industrial site into today’s mixed-use redevelopment.

The expansion of Monon Boulevard by another 2 city blocks will solidify it as not only an iconic space, but as the community’s beloved backyard. Our design approach to this space had to be two-fold; retain the style and character of the Boulevard that was established in the first construction, and yet redefine the area for new uses and new developments. ‍

Shaping Nashville’s future with community-driven insights.

As the culminating feature of a historic Olmsted Brothers-designed vista, the Glick Fountain at Newfields has long anchored the Oldfields estate, offering a powerful sense of formality and arrival. Its recent revitalization brings renewed energy to this iconic feature, reaffirming its role as the dramatic terminus to the estate’s tree-lined allée and enhancing the experience for visitors and members alike.

A Parks and Recreation Roadmap

A Roadmap for Smart Growth and Preservation

The Noblesville Alternative Transportation Plan is a transformative project that reimagines the trail corridor from Hague Road to the Pleasant Street Extension. Designed to enhance connectivity, quality of life, and sustainable development, the plan integrates land use analysis, community input, and trail-oriented development strategies.‍

A bold vision for that reimagines this riverfront greenway as a world-class linear park, connects a series of destination open spaces, attracts private investment, and strengthens the link between three Ohio river communities.

One of Greenwood’s most historic public spaces, Old City Park has undergone a dramatic transformation. The core concept for its new identity is to reconnect and restore - improvements were made through the creation of new landscape spaces, restored ecologies and major pedestrian connections that have a city-wide impact.‍

Orland Square Park is a new family-friendly recreational and entertainment space for adults and children of all ages. We were brought on by a national retail developer to transform 1.8 acres of asphalt parking to a welcoming green space, filled with a playground and richly programmed amenities. The project brings a renewed emphasis on engaging outdoor activity space to attract visitors and provide a place to linger.

Overley-Worman Park, is a new 45-acre park within the floodplain of Eagle Creek characterized by varying terrain with disturbed, wooded, and steeply sloping areas. The park will fill a recreational need for the Town of Zionsville and surrounding areas. A key program component will be mountain bike trails for bikers of different skill levels including a pump track, advanced skills trails, and basic trails for younger riders and those learning to ride.‍‍

A vision for future land uses, infrastructure investments, and economic development initiatives for approximately 4,000 acres surrounding the State Road 61 and Interstate 69 interchange.

The new lodge at Potato Creek State Park will bring people to the heart of nature and the world of birds, blending the line between architecture and park. The new four-season facility will offer access to numerous year-round activities throughout the park including hiking, boating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, bird watching, and more.

As part of the Downtown Revitalization Plan completed by REA , we were then brought on again to develop the future vision and implementation for Prairie Creek Park.‍

The master development of Centennial Mall and Potter Quad transforms a largely impervious and highly complex site into a network of social spaces and landscapes that increase connectivity and foster community. Beginning with the preparation of an integrated bike-pedestrian master plan, a vision was established that outlines a campus-wide network of bicycle facilities, policies and programs that promote and encourage bicycle-use and integrates with other modes of campus travel. This master plan included the conversion of Centennial Mall and Potter Quad into a major multi-modal pedestrian and bicycle artery through campus.

A new plaza forms outside the new Gateway Complex for the College of Engineering and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. We are working with BSA Lifestructures as the prime architect for two new buildings that, along with the Nuclear Engineering Building and Michael Golden Laboratories, will constitute the overall Gateway Complex. ‍

What was once a forgotten passageway has been re-imagined into a key public space that exhibits Purdue University’s tradition as a modern and vibrant campus. The Mackey Arena Plaza Vision Plan outlines opportunities to enliven an iconic area for current and prospective students and student athletes, Boilermaker fans and staff.

Purdue Memorial Union is the cornerstone of campus and a historic landmark. It's mission is to provide spaces that foster an inclusive environment and enrich student life and community experience. ‍‍

We were commissioned to transform a one-block segment of Wood Street into a pedestrian mall and events terrace to serve as both an entrance to Pao Hall and a setting for informal and formal gatherings.

A keystone project identified in Purdue’s Great Leaps Master Plan, Third Street Greenway Vision Plan outlines the transformation of an existing vehicular street into an activated, linear pedestrian and bicycle experience. New pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycle track, and green infrastructure elements support substantial pedestrian volumes and access to popular destinations along the corridor‍

Transforming highways to enhance community connectivity, green spaces, and safety.

Richard G. Lugar Plaza is a 2-acre civic space that sits atop a parking garage in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Situated at the base of the towering City-County Building, the original plaza featured a complex arrangement of granite walls, water features, and raised plant beds. Since its completion in 1962, the downtown district had grown around the plaza. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Julia Carson Transit Center, and new residential and mixed-use developments heralded a new era of life and vitality. At the same time, the existing plaza had only grown neglected and uninspiring.

The City of Sevierville, Tennessee acts as a key gateway into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In an effort to create places of more value and character, protect the natural environment, and create a more livable community, it's leaders recognized the need for an update to the dated development code.

The existing comprehensive plan was completed in 2002. Since then, the county has attracted new businesses, experienced significant residential growth, invested in transportation and quality of life enhancements, and welcomed new County leadership and staff. The County has accomplished many plan goals, but others need to be re-evaluated or updated to maintain the plan’s relevancy.

The Stone Family Center for Health Sciences is the first building of a new four city block Medical Education and Research Park. The campus serves as a landmark case study for urban infill, complete streets, and green infrastructure development.‍

Sunrise Pump Station is a new water pumping station situated on ten acres of public open space along the Ohio River in downtown Evansville. The pump station prevents clean water from backing up into the city when floodgates are closed on the Ohio River levee. Instead, water is pumped up and over the levee and down a cascade into the Ohio River. Before the pump station was built, the site was home to Sunrise Park, one of Evansville’s most loved and well-used playgrounds. The playground was reaching the end of its life cycle, and a site selection study determined that the city needed to build the new pump station on the existing pipes under the park.‍

Switchyard Park transformed a 65-acre former railyard into a destination signature park that enhances connectivity to nearby neighborhoods, provides significant recreational amenities, community gathering and event spaces, and catalyzes reinvestment in surrounding properties. The project has had a profound impact on the the City of Bloomington's social, environmental, and economic well-being. It serves as a model for employing strategic investment in high quality public space, innovative planning and design, and resilient design solutions for generational community benefit.

Our team built on the recommendations of the Switchyard Park Master Plan and used the results of a market analysis to inform potential redevelopment opportunities. The ultimate goal was to proactively communicate the city’s development vision for these key sites.

A destination urban park with a unique sense of place that celebrates the community’s diverse history and culture, attracts a wide variety of users, and provides a distinctive park experience.

The TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park is the culmination of a decades-long effort to establish a premier outdoor performance venue in downtown Indianapolis, raising the bar for the attraction of national talent and expanding downtown’s rich collection of arts and culture attractions within the walkable and connected city.

The Parklands is a new scenic 75-acre premier nature park designed for the City of Jasper. Following the city’s purchase of a private golf course in 2013, Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz created a citizen advisory team to determine the land’s future. This resulted in a concept of a “managed meadows” which would keep much of the grounds in a natural state while limiting structures.

The first priority from Daleville's downtown revitalization plan was the re-imagining of Town Hall Park into an attractive, community anchor that would energize the local economy and attract future businesses and residents.

A vision plan outlines development guidelines for the redevelopment of Trades District, a sub-area of the larger Bloomington Certified Technology Park. The district is envisioned to be a high activity, innovation center comprised of office, restaurant, and housing development with a focus on tech employment.

Trinity Stormwater Park is an urban neighborhood park built above a two-million-gallon underground stormwater retention facility. The park receives stormwater runoff from 24acres of downtown Evansville, holding it underground and slowly releasing it to reduce flooding. Prior to being a park, the site was home to Holy Trinity Catholic Church for over 150 years. When the church relocated to a larger site, the city bought the land and buildings. Numerous elements of the mid-century modern sanctuary were salvaged for re-use within the park.

The Twin Aire Redevelopment Plan is a comprehensive plan to transform a 140-acre former brownfield site into a mixed-use redevelopment with a purpose. Our site plans focus on unique opportunities for quality education and small business, all within a blend of affordable housing for families and seniors. Located southeast of downtown Indianapolis, Twin Aire has a rich history in invention and craft. And the city seeks to revive the community to emphasize accessibility, connectivity, and education.

The purpose of the plan was to protect the diverse land use character throughout the corridor; leverage investment and capacity of new sanitary sewers and a pump station under construction in the area; make University Parkway a limited access thoroughfare while ensuring safe and efficient multi-modal movement of vehicles and build consensus among vastly different viewpoints within the public regarding growth. ‍‍

The Wabash River Northern Reach Study was the culmination of a year-long master planning effort to craft a collective community vision for this 600-acre area along the Wabash River. REA was commissioned by the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation (WREC) to complete the master plan and schematic design and engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders, constituencies, interest groups and the general public in the planning process.

Key elements of the plan included strategies for downtown revitalization, infrastructure investment, and multimodal connectivity, as well as policies to support sustainable economic growth and high-quality public amenities. The plan contained detailed existing conditions analysis which informed the development of 19 different placetypes, their recommendations, and other community development policy. The placetypes map was organized around the creation of higher density nodes identified throughout the city and township which allowed a gentler approach to densification within the city.

The reimagined Park Street & Plaza transforms a once utilitarian street corridor into a people-centered destination at the heart of Westfield’s new emerging mixed-use district. Designed as a curb less festival street, the project redefines the public realm through a dynamic streetscape that prioritizes walkability, flexibility, and year-round community activation. Catenary lighting, lush planting, green infrastructure, parklets, activated sidewalks, and traffic-calmed shared spaces create an immersive urban experience that seamlessly connects the city’s premier culinary and entertainment destinations.

The White River State Park is undergoing its largest extension to date, expanding the downtown Indianapolis greenspace by 13 acres along the western edge of the former GM Stamping Plant site. The project will transform this historic industrial site into adynamic public riverfront destination.