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Indiana reaches deal to try to steal Chicago Bears

Indiana lawmakers moved legislation Thursday to build an NFL stadium in Hammond.

Sports

Indiana lawmakers say they have reached a tentative deal with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Bears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/26/bears-caleb-williams-playoffs-eagles-49ers-packers-johnson" data-vars-content-id="7d283857-00aa-4577-9c73-20ad14395df0" data-vars-headline="Indiana reaches deal to try to steal Chicago Bears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/26/bears-caleb-williams-playoffs-eagles-49ers-packers-johnson" target="_self">Chicago Bears</a> to build an NFL stadium in Hammond.Why it matters: It would be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic move" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/illinois-indiana-bears-stadium-pritzker-braun-hammond-arlington" data-vars-content-id="7d283857-00aa-4577-9c73-20ad14395df0" data-vars-headline="Indiana reaches deal to try to steal Chicago Bears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/illinois-indiana-bears-stadium-pritzker-braun-hammond-arlington" target="_self">historic move</a> — for both the Bears and Northwest Indiana.

Indianapolis Clowns set to return this spring

The team that walked so that Banana Ball could run is making a big comeback.

News

The Indianapolis Clowns are back, and they&#x27;re bringing baseball history with them.Why it matters: The Banana Ball-backed revival of one of the most storied names in American sports will introduce a new generation of fans to the trailblazing blend of baseball and entertainment that blossomed in the Circle City.

Axios Indianapolis poll: Are the Bears really leaving Illinois?

The Bears are coming to Indiana! Or ... are they? Zoom in: Whether or not the tentative deal Indiana lawmakers say they have for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Bears stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="76944e5d-aa02-4168-b4cb-16ced16d6d0d" data-vars-headline="Axios Indianapolis poll: Are the Bears really leaving Illinois?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">new Bears stadium</a> in Hammond is real depends on who you ask.<ul><li>We want to ask you!</li></ul>

YMCA financial concerns go beyond Ransburg location

It's the third location in the city that's closed since the pandemic.

When the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis closes the Ransburg location at the end of March, it will be the third location closed since the pandemic.Why it matters: A spokesperson for the YMCA told Axios that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ransburg is closing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.change.org/p/save-the-ransburg-ymca" data-vars-content-id="e0754805-95bd-477e-93a9-70020eea0cf7" data-vars-headline="YMCA financial concerns go beyond Ransburg location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.change.org/p/save-the-ransburg-ymca" target="_blank">Ransburg is closing</a> due to &quot;financial challenges specific to that center&quot; but an Axios Indianapolis analysis of available financial data raises more questions about the long-term financial sustainability of the organization.

Indy's Signia hotel, convention center expansion reach new heights

The skyline reshaping project is ahead of schedule and already making an impact.

<figure><img alt="Hotel expansion work" height="450" id="b7266c25-7501-472b-9cb3-7c3766e9634f" src="https://images.axios.com/4XLthut6FJL_slVUKHXN60X3jzk=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/05/21/1747859334452.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Downtown is getting another building in its skyline. GIF: Courtesy of Visit Indy</figcaption></figure>Construction crews are ahead of schedule on downtown&#x27;s Indiana Convention Center expansion, the state&#x27;s first Signia by Hilton hotel and another Georgia Street remix.Why it matters: Even before completion, city leaders say, the development has helped the region&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surging hospitality and tourism industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/06/indianapolis-tourism-record-year" data-vars-content-id="e9e5852d-4752-4438-b0f2-5b3ea2d8b48e" data-vars-headline="Indy&#x27;s Signia hotel, convention center expansion reach new heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/06/indianapolis-tourism-record-year" target="_self">surging hospitality and tourism industry</a> secure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/06/07/indiana-convention-center-expansion-gen-con-tourism" data-vars-content-id="e9e5852d-4752-4438-b0f2-5b3ea2d8b48e" data-vars-headline="Indy&#x27;s Signia hotel, convention center expansion reach new heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/06/07/indiana-convention-center-expansion-gen-con-tourism" target="_self">new events</a> while providing momentum to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="post-pandemic initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indy.gov/activity/mayor-hogsetts-downtown-resiliency" data-vars-content-id="e9e5852d-4752-4438-b0f2-5b3ea2d8b48e" data-vars-headline="Indy&#x27;s Signia hotel, convention center expansion reach new heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indy.gov/activity/mayor-hogsetts-downtown-resiliency" target="_blank">post-pandemic initiative</a> aimed at strengthening Indianapolis&#x27; urban core.

Purdue breaks ground on 15-story Indianapolis campus building

The Academic Success Building will be the "beating heart" of the Indianapolis campus

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Purdue University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/03/17/purdue-iu-notre-dame-and-ball-state-prepare-for-madness" data-vars-content-id="d27a69ef-b11e-4329-93d4-6eb4ba988eab" data-vars-headline="Purdue breaks ground on 15-story Indianapolis campus building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/03/17/purdue-iu-notre-dame-and-ball-state-prepare-for-madness" target="_self">Purdue University</a> broke ground Wednesday on the &quot;beating heart&quot; of its Indianapolis campus.Why it matters: The Academic Success Building will be a key piece of Purdue&#x27;s plans to grow its 28-acre Indianapolis footprint from 3,000 students today to 15,000 in the coming years.

This restored historic Meridian Park home is now on the market

The Mission Revival-style home once belonged to Louis Burckhardt.

Real Estate

A piece of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indianapolis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis" data-vars-content-id="10a73c94-3b43-4fc3-8267-f34c1192fc37" data-vars-headline="This restored historic Meridian Park home is now on the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis" target="_self">Indianapolis</a> history could be yours.The big picture: A turn-of-the-century showpiece at 3159 N. Pennsylvania is on the market after a meticulous yearlong restoration to bring the dilapidated historic home back to its former glory.

City targets Riverside Park for archery range

Riverside Park, one of the city's oldest and largest public greenspaces, is being reinvented.

As the first phase of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Riverside Adventure Park nears completion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/01/04/riverside-regional-park-indy-redevelopment-construction" data-vars-content-id="442bece9-d758-48dc-98ad-92cb27581fd7" data-vars-headline="City targets Riverside Park for archery range" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/01/04/riverside-regional-park-indy-redevelopment-construction" target="_self">the Riverside Adventure Park nears completion</a>, Indy Parks and Recreation is drawing up plans to bring something totally new to the city with Phase 2.The big picture: Riverside Park, one of the city&#x27;s oldest and largest public greenspaces, is going through something of a reinvention.

Broad Ripple is ready for a comeback

The people who power the popular neighborhood want the rest of the city to meet the new Broad Ripple.

Development

The people who live, work and play in Broad Ripple want the rest of Indianapolis to return.Why it matters: The popular neighborhood known for its bustling nightlife and collection of local businesses has struggled to recover after more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years of combating construction and gun violence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2023/05/31/broad-ripple-shootings-impd" data-vars-content-id="88a8dcbb-e149-41b1-87d3-e2740e333ee7" data-vars-headline="Broad Ripple is ready for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2023/05/31/broad-ripple-shootings-impd" target="_self">two years of combating construction and gun violence</a>.

Downtown Indy's historic CSX building is getting a $300 million makeover

The Simon family proposal includes a hotel and 4,000-seat Live Nation music venue.

The Simon family has plans to bring a new Shinola Hotel and a 4,000-seat capacity Live Nation music venue to the corner of Georgia and Pennsylvania streets.Why it matters: The development of the old CSX building at 230 S. Pennsylvania joins a long list of downtown construction projects <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reshaping the city&#x27;s skyline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/05/09/indianapolis-hotels-construction-signia-hilton" data-vars-content-id="5bed86f6-1244-4add-b328-cb8d2d21740c" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indy&#x27;s historic CSX building is getting a $300 million makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/05/09/indianapolis-hotels-construction-signia-hilton" target="_self">reshaping the city&#x27;s skyline</a> and leans into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indy&#x27;s reputation as a top-tier tourist destination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/06/07/indiana-convention-center-expansion-gen-con-tourism" data-vars-content-id="5bed86f6-1244-4add-b328-cb8d2d21740c" data-vars-headline="Downtown Indy&#x27;s historic CSX building is getting a $300 million makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/06/07/indiana-convention-center-expansion-gen-con-tourism" target="_self">Indy&#x27;s reputation as a top-tier tourist destination</a>.

Indianapolis is a hot market for hotel projects

The InterContinental Hotel will open this fall with a rooftop bar.

As a number of major Indianapolis hotel projects take shape, the Circle City has emerged as a top spot for new guest room construction.Why it matters: The local tourism market is riding a wave of momentum generated by 2024 events like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NBA All-Star Game" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/02/20/good-bad-funny-nba-all-star-weekend-recap" data-vars-content-id="fd88af56-692a-4ece-a66c-29f9ed9efb22" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis is a hot market for hotel projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/02/20/good-bad-funny-nba-all-star-weekend-recap" target="_self">NBA All-Star Game</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="total solar eclipse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/04/09/indianapolis-total-solar-eclipse-observations" data-vars-content-id="fd88af56-692a-4ece-a66c-29f9ed9efb22" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis is a hot market for hotel projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/04/09/indianapolis-total-solar-eclipse-observations" target="_self">total solar eclipse</a> and the arrival of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Caitlin Clark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/05/06/fever-wnba-ticket-sales" data-vars-content-id="fd88af56-692a-4ece-a66c-29f9ed9efb22" data-vars-headline="Indianapolis is a hot market for hotel projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/05/06/fever-wnba-ticket-sales" target="_self">Caitlin Clark</a>.

What happens when MLS comes to town

In four other cities, the USL team did not survive.

Indianapolis&#x27; quest for a Major League Soccer franchise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cleared its first hurdle last week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/05/02/indianapolis-mls-soccer-team-timeline" data-vars-content-id="7c5d678f-7bc6-4073-bcc8-7d3aa96109b6" data-vars-headline="What happens when MLS comes to town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/05/02/indianapolis-mls-soccer-team-timeline" target="_self">cleared its first hurdle last week</a>, raising questions about what will become of the city&#x27;s current professional soccer team.Why it matters: The Indy Eleven kicked off their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="11th season last month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/04/12/what-to-know-indy-eleven-11th-season?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_indianapolis&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="7c5d678f-7bc6-4073-bcc8-7d3aa96109b6" data-vars-headline="What happens when MLS comes to town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/04/12/what-to-know-indy-eleven-11th-season?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_indianapolis&amp;stream=top" target="_self">11th season last month</a> looking toward a new home at Eleven Park&#x27;s planned 20,000-seat soccer stadium, but it looks increasingly likely that the project and its club are in trouble.

City officials pursuing MLS team without Indy Eleven

The move ends a partnership with Keystone Group, developer of Eleven Park.

Indianapolis is going after a Major League Soccer team — but without <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Indy Eleven" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/04/12/what-to-know-indy-eleven-11th-season" data-vars-content-id="4be591eb-9603-4662-9f28-bddc4a138abc" data-vars-headline="City officials pursuing MLS team without Indy Eleven" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/04/12/what-to-know-indy-eleven-11th-season" target="_self">the Indy Eleven</a>.Why it matters: The city is betting big on bringing MLS to town with the backing of an unnamed group of investors ready to take on ownership of the team and willing to pay the estimated $500 million expansion fee.

New Lafayette Square Mall redevelopment plan is a big swing after several misses

Residents are skeptical but optimistic the plan comes to fruition.

As an ambitious plan to revitalize Lafayette Square Mall undergoes its latest evolution, a mix of excitement and skepticism is growing alongside its price tag.Why it matters: For more than two years, local real estate and development firm Sojos Capital has been sharing plans to revamp the mall and breathe new life into the surrounding northwest side neighborhood.<ul><li>But rising costs and missed deadlines have stalled the project despite tenant relocations and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="groundbreaking ceremonies" data-vars-click-url="https://fox59.com/news/lafayette-square-mall-area-redevelopment-moves-one-step-forward-with-alamo-drafthouse-groundbreaking/" data-vars-content-id="5da31f5e-fd94-452f-9b6a-17a9264e4f6b" data-vars-headline="New Lafayette Square Mall redevelopment plan is a big swing after several misses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox59.com/news/lafayette-square-mall-area-redevelopment-moves-one-step-forward-with-alamo-drafthouse-groundbreaking/" target="_blank">groundbreaking ceremonies</a>.</li></ul>

Development 🏗️

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Indy's Signia hotel, convention center expansion reach new heights

Purdue breaks ground on 15-story Indianapolis campus building

This restored historic Meridian Park home is now on the market

City targets Riverside Park for archery range