NCAA Final Four Construction Updates

With all venues in the heart of downtown, this promises to be a walking Final Four. Indianapolis is growing by adding $3B in hospitality-related infrastructure and this guide will help fans navigate the changes during Final Four weekend in Indy.

Building Indy’s Future: What’s Happening and What It Means

Over the next five years, downtown Indianapolis will transform with upgraded facilities for hosting world-class events. Major projects affecting downtown Indianapolis include:

Signia by Hilton

A new 800-room Signia by Hilton hotel and convention center expansion are nearing completion.

Traction Yards

Indy's downtown mall is bring reimagined into a mixed-use development with an open-air promenade called Traction Yards.

Georgia Street

Georgia Street is being redesigned to be more pedestrian and event friendly along the west block.

The Ritz-Carlton

A new Ritz-Carlton connected to Gainbridge Fieldhouse will also feature a 4,000 seat Live Nation music venue.

SEE A FULL LIST OF INDY'S ONGOING NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Updated January 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What roads are closed to pedestrians?

While construction will limit some access to vehicles, fans have few limitations to walk. Illinois Street will be closed between Georgia and South Streets due to underpass construction. St. Clair and North Streets surrounding American Legion Mall will be closed as part of the NCAA March Madness Music Festival. There will also be temporary closures on Sunday morning as part of the Dribble. Beyond that, all streets are open to pedestrians.

Will Capitol Avenue, which runs north to south in front of the Indiana Convention Center, be open during Final Four?

Capitol Avenue and the rehabilitated underpass will be open to pedestrians, but vehicles will only have access to Christ Church Cathedral and the Crowne Plaza at Union Station.

Will Georgia Street, which runs neast to west in front of the Indiana Convention Center, be open during Final Four?

Georgia Street will be open to pedestrians and activated as part of the Tipoff Tailgate, but will not be open to vehicles.

Which street-level businesses will remain open during Traction Yards construction?

All businesses on Meridian Street will remain open throughout the Traction Yards development. Businesses that will be affected on Illinois street have already been relocated to temporary addresses during this phase of construction.

Will the Food Court in Traction Yards be open during construction?

No. The food court in Traction Yards is closing during construction.

What skywalks to the Indiana Convention Center will be affected during construction of Traction Yards and the Signia by Hilton?

Indianapolis' skywalks are one of the defining features of the city's convention package. Because of these, developers have vowed to keep as many skywalks open as possible during construction. The skywalk between Traction Yards and the World of Wonders parking garage, as well as the skywalk between the north side and south side of Traction Yards, have been temporarily closed.

The skywalk between Omni Severin Hotel and Circle Centre Mall is permanently closed.

Refer to Hendricks Commercial Properties' map on skywalk closures for further information.

How will downtown parking be affecting during the construction projects?

While street parking may be limited due to tangential road closures, downtown parking garages will not be affected during the current phases of the construction projects in downtown Indianapolis. The Traction Yards parking garages will remain open (though the skywalk between the World of Wonders garage and Traction Yards will be temporarily closed).

For updated parking information, explore Downtown Indy's parking map.

Timeline & Phases

Q1 2026

Signia by Hilton and the Indiana Convention Center Expansion construction is underway. Impacts:

  • Capitol Avenue is closed for vehicular traffic except for access to Christ Church Cathedral and Crowne Plaza at Union Station.
  • Illinois Street is closed from South Street to Georgia Street.
  • Georgia Street between Capitol Ave. and Illinois Street is closed for vehicular traffic.

Traction Yards (formerly Circle Centre) has begun major renovation. Impacts:

  • The parking garages will not be affected.
  • Street-level businesses along Meridian Street will not be affected.
  • The skywalk between the mall and the World of Wonders Parking Garage is temporarily closed.
Q1 2026 & Beyond
  • Signia by Hilton and the Indiana Convention Center Expansion is scheduled to be completed by Q4 2026. Updates to road closures and available downtown amenities will become apparent as the project progresses.
  • Georgia Street is scheduled to be fully redeveloped by Spring 2026.
  • The current phase of the renovation of Tractions Yards - featuring the southern end of the existing mall's footprint - is scheduled to be completed by 2030.
  • Work on the Union Station underpasses will be completed by Spring 2026.
Planning Your Visit

Final Four fans can expect a vibrant and evolving downtown as Indianapolis moves through these major construction projects. Developers and city officials are offering key information to help you prepare for a smooth experience during your visit.

City of Indianapolis Road Closure Map - View road closures around downtown Indianapolis, including timelines for when pedestrian paths and vehicular roads will come back online.

Hendricks Commercial Properties FAQ Page - Peruse the most commonly asked questions about the Traction Yards development, including information on parking, skywalks, and dining.

Looking Ahead

Indianapolis is investing in its future with bold improvements that will enhance how people experience the city. These projects are creating new spaces to gather, better ways to move through the city, and stronger connections between neighborhoods and visitors. Developments in Indianapolis are tallying at just over $3 billion invested in tourism-related infrastructure, and as the work continues, so does our commitment to making Indianapolis a place where people feel welcomed, inspired, and excited to return.