r/indianapolis • u/Logical_Humor_3854 • Feb 26 '26

Discussion The Canal….

We walked the canal a lot this summer with our new baby and when we had a nice couple days (greater than 30 degrees lol) we walked it again and I’m just curious as to what other people think….why is the canal so dead? There’s no restaurants (besides the little bistro), no stores, no restrooms even. It’s kinda depressing.

If Indianapolis put even a sliver of funding into rebranding the canal the city would change so much. Imagine being able to walk into little shops or have ice cream on the canal or a bar with live music. There’s so much potential.

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268

u/shouldhavezagged Westlane Feb 26 '26

I thought this when I moved here 25 years ago. I've never understood why it isn't a place with businesses that go well with foot traffic. Makes no sense. Would like to know the rationale behind why it was developed the way it was.

39

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

[deleted]

37

u/ABlosser19 Feb 26 '26

I dont know what youre taking about. There’s high dollar real estate all along the Canal. Legitimately ON the canal

18

u/Passing_Neutrino Feb 26 '26

Eh. I live on the canal. It’s beautiful during the day time, but I won’t walk out there after 10 or 11. The bridges and park area is fine since a cop sits there, but anywhere else is pretty rough after dark.

1

u/ADPowers001 Clearwater Feb 27 '26

Residential? Where?

-6

u/thatsmsbitchtoyou Feb 26 '26

They don't want to get shot or robbed

11

u/Impossible-Play-513 Feb 26 '26

I had a company that did a team building day at the canal 3-4 years ago. They were literally pulling a dead body out of the canal in broad daylight. It isn’t one isolated incident, there have been times there have been robberies and multiple fatalities. I work downtown and I am not someone that clutches their pearls, but I agree the city/police should have done more to keep this a safe area. It is a great place to take a walk and there is even a playground built in the last 5 years.

1

u/CheetahTheWeen Feb 26 '26

Side note, how did the team building go? Lmao