His visionary initiatives as Mayor revitalized the city’s core, empowered neighborhoods, attracted businesses and fostered growth. Under Goldsmith, the unemployment rate in Indianapolis was cut in half, the overall crime rate was dramatically reduced, and $1.3 billion was invested in neighborhood infrastructure. His downtown revitalization included the completion of Circle Centre Mall, an expanded Convention Center, two new sports and entertainment complexes (Victory Field and Gainbridge Fieldhouse), the expansion of the Central Canal and attraction of the NCCA Headquarters, and a private sector investment of $7 billion — all of which reversed downtown skyrocketing vacancy rates. This was accomplished while streamlining municipal services and reducing costs while adding more police officers to the street. The city budget, dollar for dollar, was less in 2000 than in 1992, property taxes were cut five straight years from 3.91 to 3.79, the COIT rate remained the same for eight years, and the city received AAA bond ratings from nation’s largest financial agencies.

The results drew more than 5,000 civic leaders to Indianapolis to learn from his approach. Goldsmith’s influence didn’t stop there: as a leading scholar at Harvard University, he continues championing creative solutions for public challenges. The Goldsmith Prize builds on this legacy, empowering Indiana’s mayors and civic leaders to pioneer transformative ideas that make a lasting impact.