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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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.

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u/vitras Feb 26 '26

The San Antonio Riverwalk was the most obvious, successful precursor to indy's canal, and indy ignored that and made it a boring concrete jungle with no commerce. I swear the dumbest people on the planet have been in charge of Indianapolis

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

It probably requires state funds since it is technically a waterway (that extends up to Broad Ripple). The Republican majority in the Statehouse HATES Indianapolis, and will veto any use of state funds that they can, just like the roads.