Connecting Panda Express at Washington Market to the Pennsy Trail and Blue Line BRT

  • Advocacy
Date
September 23, 2026
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Next Public Hearing: October 20, 2026, 1PM, City-County Building Public Assembly Room — Indianapolis BZA Division III

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Subject: Please Connect the Pennsy/Blue Line to Panda Express—2026DV3031

To: Robert.Uhlenhake@indy.gov, wtda.warren@gmail.com, michael@michaelpaulhart.com, advocacy@centralincycling.org

Dear Robert,

I am writing regarding case 2026-DV3-031 to ask that the project include commitments to create a connected pedestrian network between Washington Street, the proposed Panda Express, the existing strip mall, and the Pennsy Trail.

Connecting these sites is a sensible way to ensure accessibility, protect future connectivity, and make the development more consistent with Indianapolis’ Complete Streets and TOD goals.

I ask that the petitioner commit to:

  • Connecting the Pennsy Trail to the Washington Market parking lot.
  • Providing an ADA-accessible curb cut connecting the existing strip mall to the pedestrian network.
  • Creating a pedestrian trail along the western property line, connecting Washington Street to the rear of Lot 2.
  • Working with the appropriate agencies to pursue construction of a shared-use path along Washington Street from the property to the signalized intersection, subject to agency approval and permitting.
  • Providing enhanced landscaping, including trees, along pedestrian routes and the site frontage.
  • Adding safety measures between Washington Street and the Panda Express frontage, such as a raised crosswalk, appropriate lighting, and signage, while minimizing pedestrian/vehicle conflict points.

These improvements would create a more connected and accessible site while addressing the pedestrian impacts of the proposed development and the requested zoning variances.

Thank you for considering these requests.

Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

The Case

The petitioner is requesting variances for:

  • 3-foot west transitional yard where 20 feet is required
    This is to make room for the parking at the bottom of the picture.
  • 29% front building line where 40% is required
    This is because the building faces away from Washington Street to prioritize the drive-through.

The site is in a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area along East Washington Street. The petitioner previously received approval for a drive-through within 600 ft of a transit station and 31 parking spaces, exceeding the TOD maximum of 27 spaces.

These variances will shape the site’s parking, circulation, and pedestrian connections.

Why It Matters

The issue isn’t simply whether Panda Express should be built. It is whether additional zoning flexibility will produce a site that is safe and accessible for people walking, biking, and using transit.

The development should support Indianapolis’ Complete Streets and TOD goals by connecting to the surrounding pedestrian network rather than creating an isolated, automobile-oriented site.

Our Requests

We’re asking for a trail that connects the site to transit, the Pennsy, and the strip mall in a way that is safe, comfortable, and accessible.

The Key Point

The petitioner is seeking significant deviations from development standards that directly affect the site’s building placement, parking, circulation, and pedestrian environment. We want the final development to achieve five objectives:

Connectivity Today • Accessibility • Safety • Multimodal access • Future connectivity

The goal is to allow the development while ensuring that the additional zoning flexibility does not come at the expense of a safe, connected transportation network.

For questions or additional information, contact jakob@centralincycling.org

Send an Email

Not working? See Email Template

Subject: Please Connect the Pennsy/Blue Line to Panda Express—2026DV3031

To: Robert.Uhlenhake@indy.gov, wtda.warren@gmail.com, michael@michaelpaulhart.com, advocacy@centralincycling.org

Dear Robert,

I am writing regarding case 2026-DV3-031 to ask that the project include commitments to create a connected pedestrian network between Washington Street, the proposed Panda Express, the existing strip mall, and the Pennsy Trail.

Connecting these sites is a sensible way to ensure accessibility, protect future connectivity, and make the development more consistent with Indianapolis’ Complete Streets and TOD goals.

I ask that the petitioner commit to:

  • Connecting the Pennsy Trail to the Washington Market parking lot.
  • Providing an ADA-accessible curb cut connecting the existing strip mall to the pedestrian network.
  • Creating a pedestrian trail along the western property line, connecting Washington Street to the rear of Lot 2.
  • Working with the appropriate agencies to pursue construction of a shared-use path along Washington Street from the property to the signalized intersection, subject to agency approval and permitting.
  • Providing enhanced landscaping, including trees, along pedestrian routes and the site frontage.
  • Adding safety measures between Washington Street and the Panda Express frontage, such as a raised crosswalk, appropriate lighting, and signage, while minimizing pedestrian/vehicle conflict points.

These improvements would create a more connected and accessible site while addressing the pedestrian impacts of the proposed development and the requested zoning variances.

Thank you for considering these requests.

Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

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