Staying On Message with Andrea Watts

Third Space Indy Live Show on May 23rd, 2026: oneyear.thirdspaceindy.comAndrea Watts is an advocate, consultant, and former city government bureaucrat working to improve Indianapolis's built environment through her work at Health By Design. Michael sits down with Andrea at Canal Bistro in Broad Ripple to talk about walkable cities, the politics of infrastructure, Arab American identity, and what it means to fight for the city you're stuck loving.Sponsors:City Rising (cityrising.org)Proformus Urban Planning & DesignIntro music: Scared Rabbit by JennasenTimestamps1:07 — Intro3:51 — How Michael and Andrea met5:52 — Health By Design and the built environment6:29 — How Indianapolis has changed10:14 — From city bureaucrat to advocate13:19 — The Walton family model and attracting talent through livability16:16 — Building connections through shared passion19:22 — Why Andrea never moved to New York City21:44 — Drive Less April challenge25:01 — Why it's hard not to drive in Indianapolis28:09 — IndyGo, transit frequency, and the privilege of flexibility33:23 — Arab American Heritage Month and Lebanese identity35:41 — Canned questions38:47 — 16th & Monon street mural42:21 — Lost third spaces49:15 — Carmel's walkable infrastructure52:56 — Friday Field Trips series55:15 — The Walk and Bike Summit57:41 — Question for the next guest: What's on your rider?