Goodwin Plaza

Pros

• Great place for seniors and those with disabilities.
• The staff are helpful and the property feels safe.
• Oakstreet Health, Chef Dan's "delicious" Food Truck, and Sakinah el Shabazz brought together a delightful lunch for the residents at Goodwill Plaza.
• The downtown location is centrally located in the National Historical District area called Ransom Place, near the Indianapolis Urban League and the Madam CJ Walker Legacy Center.
• The rich history of Madam CJ Walker's legacy as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist blazes a trail of success for many to follow.
• Goodwin Plaza is peaceful, quiet, and the residents are friendly.
• The housekeeping staff keeps the place clean and fresh.
• The lawn, flowers, and flowing fountain add a nice outside view.
• There are several IMPD police security officers that make daily rounds inside the building.
• The community is welcoming and distinguished.

Cons

• The building is dirty.
• People were found dead in the apartments.
• The management is not good.
• There is no activity for older adults.
• It is one of the worst buildings the reviewer has seen in a while.
• The Board of Health needs to look into it.

Review

Goodwin Plaza stands out in the community as a place that many residents feel is well-suited for seniors and people with disabilities. The overarching tone from several speakers is one of appreciation for a safe, well-staffed property where the people and the environment contribute to a sense of security and belonging. The praise is not just about the bricks and mortar; it's about the human touch that comes with a responsive staff, supportive services, and programs that show people care. A notable element is the way outside partners and volunteers have stepped in to enrich life here. Oakstreet Health has joined in community efforts, and Chef Dan's "delicious" Food Truck has delivered meals that residents describe as a meaningful, unifying experience. Sakinah el Shabazz is singled out for helping to bring a delightful lunch to residents, an event that one resident said helped the community come together with a shared sense of celebration. The same message from SunShine Smiles emphasizes that acts of kindness and team collaboration make everyday life more vibrant, with the cadence of gratitude that a close-knit community often relies on.

Another layer of appreciation centers on the location itself. Goodwin Plaza sits in a downtown setting within a nationally recognized historic district called Ransom Place. The proximity to key community anchors - the Indianapolis Urban League and the Madam C. J. Walker Legacy Center - adds a sense of cultural depth and historical significance. Residents speak with reverence about Madam C. J. Walker, one of America's early self-made Black female millionaires, and they are drawn to the legacy she left as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist. The connection to history is reinforced by references to the movie Self Made, which many find inspiring as they reflect on the legacy of leadership and achievement that continues to resonate in daily life at the plaza.

Within the living environment itself, residents describe Goodwin Plaza as peaceful and quiet, with friendly neighbors who contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. Housekeeping is cited as keeping the building clean and fresh, and the maintenance team, care managers, and office staff are repeatedly described as pleasant and helpful. The exterior grounds - lawn areas, flowers, and a flowing fountain - contribute to a pleasant outdoor view that reinforces a sense of calm and pride in the property. A recurring detail is the presence of IMPD police security officers who reportedly make daily rounds inside the building, a factor that residents feel adds to their sense of safety and reassurance. Taken together, these elements create a picture of a community that many residents feel blessed to be a part of, and they express strong personal recommendations for others considering a move here.

Several residents express a deep personal connection to the place, underscoring the idea that the Goodwin Plaza experience is about more than just housing. One resident, SunShine Smiles, emphasizes the consistency of positive experiences - beautiful, friendly, and considerate - while noting how food, community events, and a supportive neighborhood atmosphere help sustain a sense of well-being. The downtown cultural landscape and the proximity to significant local institutions are repeatedly highlighted as major assets that enhance daily life, offering both inspiration and opportunities for engagement beyond the walls of the building.

Despite these strong positives, the reviews also include a stark contrast that cannot be ignored. A different voice describes a very troubling reality: "Dirty, people found dead in apts. No good management. No activity for Older Adults, this is one of the worse buildings I've seen in a while. Board of Health needs to look into it." This critical feedback points to serious concerns about safety, management, and programming that would be essential for any comprehensive assessment of the property. The contrast between the hopeful, community-building narratives and this severe negative report highlights that experiences at Goodwin Plaza can vary dramatically, and that there are at least two ends of the spectrum that prospective residents - and their families - would want to consider.

Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews paints a picture of a property with significant strengths and clear opportunities for improvement. On the one hand, there are strong indicators of a vibrant, supportive community: accessible programming, generous collaboration with local organizations, a sense of security, well-regarded staff, and a location that connects residents to history and culture. On the other hand, there are urgent warnings about safety concerns and management shortcomings that require attention. The central message is that Goodwin Plaza can be a compelling and enriching place to live, especially for seniors and those with disabilities, but it also seems to demand proactive engagement from management, health and safety oversight, and ongoing programming to address the needs and fears expressed by residents who feel left wanting. The path forward, in this view, would be to preserve and expand the strengths while earnestly addressing the reported issues so that the positive experiences described by many residents can be felt consistently by all who call Goodwin Plaza home.

This area of Indianapolis, Indiana offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the neighborhood. With multiple Starbucks locations, cafes like Panera Bread, and various restaurants within close proximity, there are plenty of options for dining out or grabbing a quick bite to eat. The area also boasts several hospitals and healthcare facilities such as Eskenazi Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, ensuring easy access to quality medical care. Additionally, parks like Military Park and White River State Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Nearby pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS make it easy to access medications and other health products. Overall, this part of Indianapolis offers a mix of urban conveniences and green spaces that could make it an ideal location for senior living.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Eskenazi Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Indiana University Hospital (0.4 miles)
• Simon Family Tower (0.6 miles)
• Newborn Follow-Up Program, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health (0.6 miles)
• Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Richard L. Roudebush Va Medical Center (1 miles)
• Advanced Wound Center at Community Westview Hospital (4 miles)

Parks

• Military Park (0.5 miles)
• White River State Park (0.8 miles)
• Watkins Park (1.6 miles)
• Meadowood Park (5.3 miles)
• Holliday Park (6.5 miles)
• Meridian Woods Park & Neighborhood (7.7 miles)

Physicians

• Riley Pediatric Neurology - IU Health Simon Cancer Center (0.5 miles)
• Blackburn Community Health Center (1.9 miles)
• Shalom Health Care Center (4.2 miles)
• Oak Street Health (5.1 miles)
• US HealthWorks Occupation Health Center (5.5 miles)
• Indiana Kidney Specialists (6.4 miles)
• Windrose Health Network (6.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery (0.8 miles)
• Conner's Kitchen + Bar (0.8 miles)
• Bru Burger Bar (1 miles)
• Yard House (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Harry & Izzy's (1 miles)
• Fat Dan's Deli (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Dista Products Company (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.8 miles)

Theaters

• Living Room Theaters (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Al-Fajr Masjid (2.8 miles)
• Tabernacle Presbyterian Church (2.9 miles)
• Speedway Christian Church (4.2 miles)
• First Friends Church (6.6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage at Michigan Rd (6.1 miles)