Construction has begun on a major $65 million expansion to Indianapoliss White River State Park, smack dab in the middle of downtown, where a sea of automotive manufacturing factories used to be. The project is by DAVID RUBIN Land Collective of Philadelphia and Indiana-based Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA). The expansion adds another 13 acres to an urban living room that, today, measures 267 acres. Its happening next to a former General Motors stamping plant atop a critical levee. Designers noted that the expansion both adds wiggle room to the park and helps safeguard Indianapolis, Indianafrom flooding.The addition will bring another 13 acres to the existing 267-acre park. (Courtesy DAVID RUBIN Land Collective)It calls for multiple event pavilions, including a new theater with a backdrop of the citys skyline. The elevated platform will straddle the sloped embankment. A new river beach will elongate the existing 5-mile White River Trail. These accessories will connect to neighboring communities, namely the Valley and Westside neighborhoods, and the citys growing Innovation District tech and research hub, architects shared.There will also be a connection to the new Henry Street Bridge, added Daniel Liggett, a partner and project lead at REA.The park will connect with the new Henry Street Bridge, shown to the left in this rendering. (Courtesy DAVID RUBIN Land Collective)David Rubin, founder of DAVID RUBIN Land Collective, said in a statement,This new landscape addition will offer the people of Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, and their visiting friends a new perspective of the White River, which is the extraordinary natural feature that informs so much of the States character. In this project, infrastructure, rejuvenated riparian ecology, and year-round experience are seamlessly integrated to inform identity. The role of the levee in this project cant be emphasized enough. The critical infrastructure, government officials noted, cannot under any circumstances be compromised. So designers worked closely with Indianapolis Department of Public Works, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies to ensure the addition is up to snuff, and will not create complications.New pavilions offer shade and places to sit. (Courtesy DAVID RUBIN Land Collective)The project also possesses a broader historical component, designers shared. Indianapoliss park and boulevard system was ideated by George Kessler in 1913. The new addition to White River State Park helps manifest Kesslers vision, which was offering open spaces, providing recreation and fresh air for all.DAVID RUBIN Land Collective first got involved in the project in 2019, when it participated in the White River Master Plan. The office then paired up with REA and White River State Park Development Commission to develop strategies based on three factors: river infrastructure, ecological rejuvenation, and social impact.The expansion is slated for completion next year.