CityWalk, Downtown Disney, and now "Downtown INDY"

Today Speedway, Indiana is primed to build upon the town’s unique history and motorsports ancestry – both an integral part of the rich fabric that makes Speedway a great place to live, work, play, learn and shop. /// From creating four vibrant development districts primed for business growth – including the Motor Sports Technology district, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway district, the Museum/Entertainment/Retail district and the Town Center district – to working with the state of Indiana to develop targeted incentive packages that will attract domestic and international companies and stimulate startup firms, Speedway, Indiana is poised for fast success. Image Credit: IndyCar Garage

CityWalk, Downtown Disney, and now "Downown INDY"

That's right, why not bring a little fun and amusement park excitement placed just outside of a major gathering venue in America's mid-west?

Developments like Universal's CityWalk, ABC CapCities' Downtown Disney, Hollywood's Kodak and Chinese Theater, and even New York's Times Square retailing amusement center complexes have a real winning combination being located next to a natural entertainment draw like Broadway, an amusement park or ... a one-of-a-kind motorsports racing track!

"Speedzone" redevelopment plan for Main Street Speedway, Indiana. I wonder if this crowd knows that ESPN already uses "SpeedZone" for the name of its themed restaurant at "Downtown Disney" outside of Disneyland Amusement Park in Anaheim California? Image Credit: Speedway Redevelopment - from PDF

This excerpted and edited from IndyCar Garage -

Speedway breaks ground on the future
Posted by IndyCar Garage on November 24, 2009 at 1:56pm

The Town of Speedway, Indiana broke ground last Thursday on the first phase of a multimillion dollar project that will give the town that surrounds the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a huge facelift.

The Main Street project is the first milestone in the town's Redevelopment Area One and is part of a $500 million investment to breathe new life into 400 acres of multi-use property that will be primed for commercial, shopping and entertainment, residential and research and development projects. Made possible through private and public investment, the redevelopment zone will be a vibrant, thriving and attractive downtown that will foster growth within the existing business community and encourage development of new business.
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"Main Street will be the backbone of a bustling, vibrant downtown district," said SRC President Vince Noblet. "The project we're commencing today will bring a safer pedestrian experience, with room for sidewalk cafes and a bike path to re-energize the atmosphere on Main Street and attract new businesses, shops and restaurants."

"As we celebrate our Centennial Era and look toward our next 100 years, the Town of Speedway joins us in looking toward the future by moving forward with a redevelopment plan that is crucial to the success of the businesses that call Speedway home," said Fred Nation, Indianapolis Motor Speedway vice president of communications. "Racing is an integral part of the culture in Speedway and the redevelopment of Main Street will attract race fans by providing a variety of entertainment options close to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway."
Reference Here>>

Welcome to the birth of America's first motorsports amusement shopping and living experience ... Welcome to "Downtown Indy" at Speedway, Indiana, home of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the INDY 500!

... notes from The EDJE

Lance Armstrong Will Be Ready For His Close-Up In Hollywood

After a very eventful East coast swing, Shepard Fairey is back working his home turf of LA, and this time it’s a BIG canvas… How big? Well how about the side of a theatre? To be exact, it’s the side of the historic Montalban Theatre, which now houses Nike’s crown jewel “Sportswear” store. This enormous mural is a collaboration commissioned by Nike to commemorate Lance Armstrong’s return to cycling. This amazing mural will be officially unveiled on Saturday, March 7th at the conclusion of Lance Armstrong’s “Hollywood Ride”, a fundraiser to benefit the fight against cancer. Image Credit: Arrested Motion

Lance Armstrong Will Be Ready For His Close-Up In Hollywood

This Saturday, Nike Sportswear and Lance Armstrong (7-time Tour de France winner) will team up to launch Stages (located on the East side of old Hollywood), a global art exhibition and sale featuring original artwork from more than 20 of the world’s most creative and diverse artists. The event will include globally renowned artists: Shepard Fairey, Geoff McFetridge, Eric White, and Rosson Crow.

"ACTION" section of a much larger murual - Shepard Fairey x Lance Armstrong Mural @ Nike’s Montalban - Image Credit: Arrested Motion

Stages will provide a new way to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and the ongoing battle to overcome cancer.

LOCATION:
Nike Sportswear at the Montalbán Theater - 1615 Vine Street - Hollywood, CA 90028

The last time that Lance Armstrong was on a bike in these neighborhoods was when the 2009 Amgen Tour of California came to the LA Basin during Stage 7: Santa Clarita to Pasadena. The peleton here is making one of its five circuits around the Rose Bowl led by Astana with its most famous team member, Lance Armstrong riding about eight riders back in the helmet with the yellow top. Image Credit: Pro Cycling Media Group

In addition to the launch of Stages, Lance Armstrong will lead a group of 700 cycling enthusiasts on a 2.2 mile ride through the streets of Hollywood to celebrate his return to the bike and to unveil a new collection of Nike Sportswear apparel and footwear designed to celebrate human potential and overcoming adversity.


The ride will commence at the Children’s Hospital 4650 W. SUNSET at 5:45pm, also on the East side of Hollywood - Near the main Church of Scientology Center in Los Angeles.

A great time was had by all, starting with Ben Stiller to open!

... notes from The EDJE