The Northwest Area encompasses the historically distinct neighborhoods of Riverside, United Northwest, and Crown Hill. Historically, it has been a neighborhood notable for conspicuous concentrations of wealth and affluence on its perimeter, in contrast to the modest housing at its core. The White River and Fall Creek are among the amenities in this near downtown neighborhood practically overflowing with trees and greenery. A commercial corridor named after the iconic Martin Luther King is coming alive with new business, and the neighborhood boasts major employers, the Marian University Velodrome, and the BioCrossroads Corridor along its borders.

Flanner House Community Center (also known simply as Flanner) is a social service organization, a Center for Working Families site, and the convening agency for an ongoing quality-of-life planning effort in this neighborhood.

Major investments are taking place in the North West neighborhood, spurred in part by strategic investments from LISC in commercial corridor façade improvements and City of Indianapolis infrastructure development along the entire MLK corridor. Major projects in the planning or development phase include the 57-unit Clifton Square senior apartments and the Sankofa business development center. Local organizations such as Flanner and the Center for Leadership Development have made important investments in human capital and housing.