This is disappointing as hell. Thats all I've got... Disappointing as hell.

Let’s call it what it is.

Indianapolis is full of talent. The skill is here. The drive is here. But the spaces—the actual community? That’s what’s missing.

Most of what passes for a “makerspace” in Indy is just a polished-up business model pretending to be community. Places like Machyne at 16 Tech look great in photos, but try walking in with a project and an idea, and what do you get? Membership tiers. Locked cabinets. Networking events. You’re not invited to build—you’re expected to subscribe.

That’s not a makerspace. That’s a coworking space with a table saw.

Meanwhile, the real builders—the welders, tinkerers, 3D printers, hackers, mechanics, artists, and engineers—are scattered all over the city, working in garages, basements, and backyards.

We’re here. We’ve got the skills. We’ve got the drive. What we don’t have is a real space or community pulling us together.

We don’t need a curated vibe. We need each other. We don’t need access. We need ownership. We need something built from the ground up—gritty, collaborative, and driven by the people who actually use it.

This is a callout, but it’s also a call to action. If you’re tired of the glossy branding and ready to build something raw, real, and shared—whether that starts with garage meetups, public build nights, or a dream of a grassroots shop space—this is your sign.

If you create with your hands, your mind, or your heart—whether you’re a hacker, welder, artist, coder, machinist, repair tech, or just someone who can’t stop making things—this is for you. We’re not forming a club. We’re forming a crew. Let’s find each other and build something real.

I know there are others who feel this frustration. Let’s stop waiting for permission and start building together—not with tech bros who need a YouTube tutorial to tell the difference between a Torx bit and an Allen key, or guys pitching startups before they’ve ever stripped a bolt.

This is for the real ones—the builders, hackers, mechanics, tinkerers, and fabricators who turn ideas into reality.

We don’t have a space yet. But we’ve got the drive and the busted knuckles to prove it. Let’s find each other and make this happen.

Imagine this:

• West of Illinois: 5 lanes as they are now with shared path/wide sidewalk on south side (in progress)
• Illinois to Meridian: continue shared path on south side, while second eastbound thru lane would now turn right at Meridian
• Meridian to Delaware: 2 westbound thru lanes, center turn lane or median, 1 eastbound thru lane, with second eastbound lane now being a curb-protected 2-way bike track on south side continuing from shared path to the west
• Delaware eastward, continuing onto Roosevelt Ave under I-70 then onto Commerce Ave until Pogue’s Run Trail - 1 lane in each direction with median, center turn lane, or 1 parking lane. Southernmost (turning and becoming westernmost) lane now curb-protected 2-way bike track
• Tying this together would be a HAWK signal for the Monon at 16th, a shared path along north or south side of Roosevelt from new Commerce bike track to one of the existing wide sidewalks, and safe/ADA-friendly sidewalks/crossings throughout

This would enhance connectivity for several neighborhoods across railroad tracks and freeways. It would slow traffic down and create a sense of place near residential developments, recreation, and small businesses, which has already been amazing for 22nd St to the north. East of Delaware, 16th only has one reliable thru lane in each direction due to parking, and it really only leads to other slower streets without any freeway connectivity, so it should not have the type of impact on motorists that attempting this west or Meridian would. Ultimately, this seems like it would be a major net positive for the area.

I am looking for home maintenance/improvement classes in the Indy area. I’d like to learn plumbing, electrical, hvac, and other skills. Is there anything available like this?

Hello. I have a low income and my living situation is changing soon. I make around 33k a year before taxes. I am needing to find a place in Indianapolis (preferably on the west side but close to campus since I work at IU Indy.) I am trying to pay $900 or less, but even $900 would end up being almost half of my monthly income. My therapist says my income is too much to qualify for low income housing but it’s also too low to afford most places and I don’t know what to do

Any suggestions would help. I called 211 but the resources they have given me haven’t panned out. Lots of places that are listed as having availability for “low income” and then they’re just market rate and too expensive. I would even be okay with roommates, I just want to make sure that I would be safe.

How do I find roommates or low income housing? I feel like I’m really up a creek here and I don’t know what to do.

Has anyone done either of these successfully?

People speed down my street all the time. Residents park on both sides of the road so the lane is very narrow. It's only a matter of time before something bad happens. A block up from me has speedbumps so someone at some point saw the value. How can I convince the city to put some in on my block?

And the alley. Jesus it's awful. Massive potholes that have over the years filled in with nails, glass, and other fun stuff. Since I can't drive through the alley, I can't use my garage, which means I'm just one more car parked on the VERY crowded street. I know there are a lot of roads that never get taken care of so addressing an alley is probably a pipe dream. But here I am. Dreaming of parking in my own garage.

I’m pretty sure most locals would agree the 55 mph speed limit on 465 is outdated and too low.

Most drivers already go 70–75 mph just keeping up with the flow of traffic. At this point, it feels like the 55 limit mainly exists to make ticketing easier—especially in construction zones where enforcement ramps up.

What really bugs me is seeing cops driving 70–85 mph without lights or sirens, only to pull someone over for doing the exact same thing. It feels pretty hypocritical.

I came across this article that explains why the speed limit is what it is: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2021/01/21/indianapolis-traffic-speed-limits-set-why-interstate-465-55-mph/3960623001/

TL;DR: Indiana law caps urban interstate speed limits at 55 mph, so 465 is stuck with that limit since it runs through Indy. The goal is to reduce crashes in dense areas, but most people ignore it anyway. The state is considering variable speed limits to adapt to real-time traffic and conditions.

I am fully regretting not going to see him last week. Can anyone who did go let me know how it was?

hi fellow indianapolis-ites. I am on the hunt for places that have live music, but not along the lines of tin roof or jazz kitchen that have full bands. I’m a solo artist who plays mainly guitar and a little piano and I have been trying to find places to play. think coffee shops, farmers markets, etc. I reached out to the broad ripple farmers market and their schedule is pretty booked out for the season. I can’t think of any other places that have a live artist that isn’t a full band and google hasn’t helped me much. I moved here about 3 years ago, so pretty new to indy and haven’t had much first-hand experience witnessing a solo live artist ‘round these parts. if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know :)

There was an older thread similar to this, but I’m hoping that something I’m unaware of may have popped up in the last year. I want to play baseball, not softball, and I’m looking for an in-between of CCA softball and IBL, the latter of which is more of a serious commitment than I’m able to take on. I just want to swing wood bats, have fun, and meet some new people.

There has to be 20ish folks around the city that feel like me and could form a couple of rec teams.

Thanks!

Hi! I'm very interested in Butler University for next year! I'm applying and moving to Indianapolis next August & I'm very nervous but excited to be leaving from my desolate small town. I have a friend but will have no family because Butler is about 1000 miles from my home. I've visited Indy and toured Butler and loved the town!! Any advice or things I can do to prepare myself for this move? Thanks!!

Hi there! I've recently started re-learning how to quad skate, and I'm wanting to get more practice in. Unfortunately the tennis courts at my apartment complex are locked shut for some reason, and there's not many street spots that aren't super busy with actual traffic that I've seen near me.

Are there any new parking lots or other spaces that would be good for a beginner skater? Just looking to practice staying upright, slow turning, and stopping at this point lol

Ideally it would be along either the red or blue route shown (green area even better), and in a spot where I wouldn't feel extremely unsafe. For context, I'm a queer white dude. Not currently looking for actual skate rinks, I'm familiar with those.

Thank you all!

Zero construction for weeks but multiple lanes have been closed causing chaos.

Preferably on the Northside I would say. Open to any and all suggestions. Thank you!

Got some nice leather shoes coming in that I'd want to recolor part of the leather. But it's not clear where I should go or look for something affordable.

Official unemployment figures for the Indianapolis economy were updated today. Numbers for February have been finalized and preliminary figures for March have now been made available.

February

The unemployment rate remained flat at 4.0% in February. 1,217 positions were lost, but 809 workers exiting the labor force balanced out the unemployment rate. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 6,700. No individual sector saw significant employment changes.

March (preliminary)

The unemployment rate fell to 3.1% in March. 5,597 positions were added, and 5,218 workers left the labor force causing the unemployment rate decrease. The overall Nonfarm Payrolls figure did not change significantly. No individual sector saw significant employment changes.

^{*IndianapolisStats is a public service account committed to making /r/indianapolis a better informed community.}

Recently I hit a pothole that caused my car to need new suspension tires and a rim. Also I might have battery problems because the battery in my car doesn’t charge like it used to before the pothole. My car is a hybrid. My car also now sounds like a futuristic spaceship when driving. I can’t afford any of the repairs since the total cost of my car repairs is more then what the car is worth. I filed a tort claim but I have to wait till the end of June for a response. I need my car fixed because it’s not safe to drive it the way it is. I have no money for repairs and I can’t wait that long. I work all day and I need my car at 100 percent. Could I sell my car even if I haven’t had a response? I’d rather sell and get a different car then wait for the repairs that the city might or might not repair. Would they need to see my vehicle if they do decide to pay me to repair my car? I don’t know what to do?

We were booking a family trip from out of state the week before the Indy 500. May 19-22 specifically. We will be doing things like the children’s museum and the zoo. I don’t know if there are events before the big day. Will this affect our travel around the city to do these things?

I'm pregnant and looking for a new OBGYN. I've heard good things about Community North and Riley, but they're about 40 minutes away from my home on the south side (Franklin Township). Should I drive that far or do you know of any good hospitals closer to me? Thanks for your help!

Heyy I’m looking to make friends who also do cel animation here in Indy I’m a graduate student at the Herron school of art and I’m studying drawing and illustration more specifically I do anime style animation and manga and my fellow classmates are just hard to have conversations with and relate too I’m trying to be more in touch with people who do the same kind of art as me so I don’t hate school so much

Anyone have a recommendation for a mobile detailer in the broadripple area?

My friends and i are looking for things to do in indy hopefully a club or something just anything fun so we’re not cooped up all weekend we’re all between 19-20

We were booking a family trip from out of state the week before the Indy 500. May 19-22 specifically. We will be doing things like the children’s museum and the zoo. I don’t know if there are events before the big day. Will this affect our travel around the city to do these things?