The Indy Health District and a coalition of local partners have filed zoning applications for a new Junior Achievement space and an urban microforest near the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, with both projects planned for the intersection of West 32nd Street and North Illinois Street. The announcement, paired with a community feedback session held the same evening, marks the district's latest move to pair youth programming with neighborhood green space on the near northside.
According to Indianapolis Recorder, the Indy Health District and its partners filed the zoning applications on Oct. 15, the same day the district hosted a Community Validation Event from 6 to 8 p.m. so residents could weigh in on its draft Quality of Life plan. The partners behind the two projects include Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the outlet reports.
As WISH-TV reports, Indy Health District Executive Director Jamal Smith said the project responds directly to what residents in the district have been asking for. Smith said residents want investment in education and workforce development, along with a place for young people to thrive and grow, according to the station. WISH-TV also reports that youth development was a major pillar of discussion at the district's community feedback session, which occurred Thursday.
A Bigger Footprint for a Program With a Waiting List
Jennifer Burk, CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, said the new Junior Achievement space is meant to provide innovative experiences that advance career readiness, financial literacy and workforce development, per the Indianapolis Recorder's reporting. WISH-TV reports that roughly 73,000 students from kindergarten through high school participated in Junior Achievement programs this year, and that the organization's programs currently have a waiting list.
Junior Achievement's current building, located near Ravenswood, houses BizTown, described by WISH-TV as a mini Indianapolis complete with businesses and signage, including a OneAmerica Financial building, a recreation of Eli Lilly's headquarters, and a Republic Airways setup with a makeshift airplane. Burk said BizTown gives students first-hand experience of working in and running a business, and that it allows fifth-grade students to work in various businesses, spend money and function within a community, according to the station. Burk said experiential, hands-on learning builds students' confidence and can-do attitude, per WISH-TV's reporting.
Per WISH-TV, the new center is planned to measure 95,000 square feet, which Burk said would make it twice the size of the organization's previous space. Burk described the planned innovation and discovery center as a chance to expand the organization's work inspiring young people and explaining career pathways, and said the larger footprint would allow Junior Achievement to expand its programs, the station reports. WISH-TV reports the new center is expected to break ground in 2027 and be completed in 2028.
Turning Pavement Into Public Green Space
Alongside the Junior Achievement expansion, the Indy Health District and its partners also announced an urban microforest intended to convert paved Children's Museum property into public green space, according to the Indianapolis Recorder. The outlet reports the project is framed as transforming paved museum property into an innovative green space for community members to enjoy, with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful named among the partners on the effort.
Danita Hoskin, president of the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, told WISH-TV that the building can take youth education to another level. Her comment reflects the broader pitch from district leaders: that pairing a workforce-readiness hub with new green space answers what Smith described as residents' desire for both educational investment and spaces where young people can grow.
Similar Junior Achievement expansions have taken shape elsewhere in recent months. Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana broke ground on a new Discovery Center in November 2025, according to 14 News, and Junior Achievement of Polk County held a groundbreaking for the Barnett Family JA Discovery Center at Tenoroc High School in Florida on March 30, as reported by The Ledger.
