INDIANAPOLIS — Only in Indiana will you be able to find a giant work of art over a basketball court.

In the heart of downtown Indianapolis, a silver arch is perched over a blue basketball court at the newly opened Bicentennial Unity Plaza next to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“Where, I ask you, can you find an incredible work of public art and a basketball court working in harmony — in unity, one could say — to celebrate our community?” City-County Council President Vop Osili said Thursday. “I don’t know if there’s a better space that so thoroughly reflects the city and the state.”

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The plaza is the final piece of a $400-million, inside-and-out renovation of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the space that plays host to the Indiana Fever and Pacers, concerts, and other events. The renovations started in 2020 with the ribbon cutting Thursday morning.

“This used to be a parking garage,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said, looking out at the plaza. “What you’re looking at used to be an ugly parking garage.

“... This is a plaza that honors our past, but it also speaks to the future of a more engaged and vibrant downtown Indianapolis. We are making this neighborhood a more attractive and more entertaining place for all, whether you work, live, or play here.”

There are two main sculptures in the plaza. First, the silver arch over the basketball court is called Together. At the entrance to the plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, there is a silver sphere — aptly named Sphere. The sphere, which is around 20 feet tall, is open in the middle, allowing people to walk in and around it.

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The two sculptures, which were designed by Herman Mejia, are meant to represent Indianapolis’ desire for a more civil, unified and informed place.

“Both of these pieces come from celebrating the diversity I found while traveling down to Indy,” Mejia said. “I traveled to Indianapolis many times during this process, and it has become a home away from home for me. I feel welcome.”

Mejia’s sense of home is what the plaza is meant to represent, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said.

“It’s about always leaving that Hoosier hospitality neon light on for all to see and all to gravitate toward,” Holcomb said. “It’s also that welcome mat that’s out, and it’s family friendly, magnetic. When you think of all ages, this is the best piece of property that has really come to life. This is what makes Indiana special.”

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The plaza has five main principles: unity, a vibrant space for all, purposeful gatherings, engaging activities with impact, and embracing the spirit of the community. It is a multipurpose space, as it can host performances, basketball clinics and food or art festivals. In the winter, the basketball court will become an ice skating rink.

The plaza will play host to multiple free events throughout the weekend to celebrate the grand opening, including an Indiana Fever pregame party Thursday, Happy Hour on Friday, night market Saturday, and basketball clinics Sunday.

All of those events will be free, as will most of the events hosted at the Bicentennial Unity Plaza.

“There are going to be people who come here that never even go inside (Gainbridge Fieldhouse) and have a lifelong memory created with friends and family,” Holcomb said. “When we used to just think about getting a ticket to get inside the fieldhouse, now there’s going to be food festivals, basketball, ice skating, conversations, concerts, and much of it will be free.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bicentennial Unity Plaza opens next to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis