William H. Hudnut III
Encyclopedia
William Herbert Hudnut III (born October 17, 1932) was the mayor of Indianapolis
from 1976 to 1992. A Republican, his four terms made him the city's longest serving mayor. He previously represented the Indianapolis area in Congress from 1973 to 1975 but was defeated in his race for a second term.
in New Lebanon, New York
, and graduated from Princeton University
in 1954, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a B.D.
from the Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
and was ordained a clergyman in 1957.
Hudnut is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church and was the senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis from 1964 to 1972. He led the congregation with a moderate but active stance through the social issues of the 1960s, including the Vietnam War and race relations.
In the 1972 Republican primary for Indiana's 11th congressional district
, Hudnut defeated future Congressman Dan Burton
. After winning the general election against four-term Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr.
, he served only one term in the 93rd United States Congress
. While in Congress he sponsored seventeen bills that became law, but he lost his reelection bid to Jacobs.
, the newly merged government of Indianapolis and Marion County
created by his predecessor, now-Senator Richard Lugar. Hudnut's goal was to change the city from "India-NO-place" to "India-SHOW-place." His mayorship was defined by economic development in Downtown Indianapolis
, business, construction, and sports.
Hudnut's policies were entrepreneurial, and he hoped to attract economic development by taking risks with raising taxes and issuing bonds. He opposed deficit spending and kept the city's bond rating at AAA. He aimed for job growth, a widened tax base, and law and order. The city spent large amounts on tax incentives, infrastructure improvements, and development projects to attract business to the downtown area.
Over the sixteen years of his term, more than 30 major building projects took place downtown, including renovations and expansions to Monument Circle, Indianapolis Union Station, Indiana University School of Medicine
, and the Indiana Convention Center
. Many office buildings were constructed, and companies such as Eli Lilly
and American United Life committed to staying in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis is known as the Amateur Sports Capital of the World, due in part to Hudnut's efforts of marketing the city. While mayor, Indianapolis held the 1987 Pan American Games
and the 1982 National Sports Festival. Hudnut formed the Indiana Sports Corporation, which directed sporting projects such as the Indianapolis Tennis Center
, Major Taylor Velodrome, and the IUPUI Natatorium
. In 1980 Hudnut formed a committee on building a new stadium to attract an NFL team. With the newly-built Hoosier Dome and other incentives, he secretly negotiated with then-Colts owner Robert Irsay
to bring the Indianapolis Colts
to Indianapolis from Baltimore. On March 29, 1984 he organized the team's middle-of-the-night departure to Indianapolis with Mayflower
moving vans, and he called it "one of the greatest days in the history of this city."
Hudnut was also president of the National League of Cities
and a member of the board for over twenty years. In 1988, Hudnut was named City and State magazine’s Nation’s Most Valuable Public Official. In 1985 he earned the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and in 1986 a Woodrow Wilson Award
for Public Service.
Hudnut was a presidential elector in the 1980 Presidential election
.
In 1990, Hudnut ran for Indiana Secretary of State, but lost to Joseph H. Hogsett. He chose not to run for a fifth term in 1991.
. He is the Joseph C. Canizaro Chair for Public Policy for the Urban Land Institute
in Washington, D.C.
Hudnut has written five books:
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
from 1976 to 1992. A Republican, his four terms made him the city's longest serving mayor. He previously represented the Indianapolis area in Congress from 1973 to 1975 but was defeated in his race for a second term.
Early life and career
Hudnut was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 17, 1932. He attended the Darrow SchoolDarrow School
Darrow School is an Independent co-educational high school. Its New Lebanon campus is a property in the Berkshire Hills, which are a southern extension of the Green Mountains of Vermont.-History:...
in New Lebanon, New York
New Lebanon, New York
New Lebanon is a town in Columbia County, New York, U.S., southeast of Albany. In 1910, 1,378 people lived in New Lebanon, New York. The population was 2,454 at the 2000 census.The town of New Lebanon is in the northeast part of Columbia County...
, and graduated from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1954, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
from the Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a preeminent independent graduate school of theology, located in Manhattan between Claremont Avenue and Broadway, 120th to 122nd Streets. The seminary was founded in 1836 under the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with nearby Columbia...
and was ordained a clergyman in 1957.
Hudnut is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church and was the senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis from 1964 to 1972. He led the congregation with a moderate but active stance through the social issues of the 1960s, including the Vietnam War and race relations.
In the 1972 Republican primary for Indiana's 11th congressional district
Indiana's 11th congressional district
Indiana's 11th congressional district was a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in Indiana. It was eliminated as a result of the 1980 Census. It was last represented by Andrew Jacobs, Jr. who was redistricted into the 10th District.-List of representatives:-...
, Hudnut defeated future Congressman Dan Burton
Dan Burton
Danny "Dan" Lee Burton is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the , serving since 1983. He is a member of the Republican Party....
. After winning the general election against four-term Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr.
Andrew Jacobs, Jr.
Andrew Jacobs, Jr. usually known as Andy Jacobs is a lawyer and a former Indiana state legislator and Congressman who served for thirty years. His father, Andrew Jacobs, was also a congressman for one term. He was married to one time House colleague Martha Keys of Kansas...
, he served only one term in the 93rd United States Congress
93rd United States Congress
The Ninety-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1973 to January 3, 1975, during the end of Richard...
. While in Congress he sponsored seventeen bills that became law, but he lost his reelection bid to Jacobs.
Mayor of Indianapolis
Hudnut took office in 1976 to UnigovUnigov
Unigov is the name adopted by the city of Indianapolis to describe its consolidated city–county government. By an act of the Indiana state legislature, Indianapolis consolidated with the government of Marion County in 1970. Within Unigov are eleven "included towns", which maintain some of their own...
, the newly merged government of Indianapolis and Marion County
Marion County
Marion County is the name of seventeen counties in the United States of America, mostly named for General Francis Marion:* Marion County, Alabama* Marion County, Arkansas* Marion County, Florida* Marion County, Georgia* Marion County, Illinois...
created by his predecessor, now-Senator Richard Lugar. Hudnut's goal was to change the city from "India-NO-place" to "India-SHOW-place." His mayorship was defined by economic development in Downtown Indianapolis
Downtown Indianapolis
The term Downtown Indianapolis refers to the central business district of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The boundaries of downtown Indianapolis have varied over time as the city has grown. The city's original platted area, the Mile Square, is sometimes used to denote the downtown area...
, business, construction, and sports.
Hudnut's policies were entrepreneurial, and he hoped to attract economic development by taking risks with raising taxes and issuing bonds. He opposed deficit spending and kept the city's bond rating at AAA. He aimed for job growth, a widened tax base, and law and order. The city spent large amounts on tax incentives, infrastructure improvements, and development projects to attract business to the downtown area.
Over the sixteen years of his term, more than 30 major building projects took place downtown, including renovations and expansions to Monument Circle, Indianapolis Union Station, Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
The Indiana University School of Medicine is a leading medical school and medical research powerhouse connected to Indiana University. With several teaching campuses in the state, the School of Medicine has its predominant research and medical center at the Indiana University – Purdue University...
, and the Indiana Convention Center
Indiana Convention Center
The Indiana Convention Center is a convention center located in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. It contains over of open exhibit space and almost of group meeting space. It was finished in late 1983 along with the Hoosier Dome , which it was connected to prior the Dome's deconstruction in 2008....
. Many office buildings were constructed, and companies such as Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company. Eli Lilly's global headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States...
and American United Life committed to staying in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis is known as the Amateur Sports Capital of the World, due in part to Hudnut's efforts of marketing the city. While mayor, Indianapolis held the 1987 Pan American Games
1987 Pan American Games
The 1987 Pan American Games, officially known as the X Pan American Games, was a major international multi-sport event which was celebrated in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, from 7 August to 23 August 1987. Over 4,300 athletes from 38 countries in the Americas competed in 30 sports earning...
and the 1982 National Sports Festival. Hudnut formed the Indiana Sports Corporation, which directed sporting projects such as the Indianapolis Tennis Center
Indianapolis Tennis Center
Indianapolis Tennis Center was the venue for the Indianapolis Tennis Championships tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana. Built in 1979, it reportedly held 10,000 spectators and also was the site of the tennis events for the 1987 Pan American Games. Demolition on the venue took place in the summer...
, Major Taylor Velodrome, and the IUPUI Natatorium
Indiana University Natatorium
Indiana University Natatorium is a swimming complex on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus in Indianapolis, USA. It also serves as the home of the IUPUI School of Physical Education with its offices on the second level and the Polaris Fitness Center on the first level...
. In 1980 Hudnut formed a committee on building a new stadium to attract an NFL team. With the newly-built Hoosier Dome and other incentives, he secretly negotiated with then-Colts owner Robert Irsay
Robert Irsay
Robert Irsay , was an American professional football team owner. He owned the National Football League's Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts franchise and, briefly, the former Los Angeles Rams.-Biography:...
to bring the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
to Indianapolis from Baltimore. On March 29, 1984 he organized the team's middle-of-the-night departure to Indianapolis with Mayflower
Mayflower Transit
Mayflower Transit, LLC is a moving company, now part of UniGroup, Inc. Founded in 1927, it is the nation's oldest van line and has the most recognized name in moving.- History :...
moving vans, and he called it "one of the greatest days in the history of this city."
Hudnut was also president of the National League of Cities
National League of Cities
The National League of Cities is an American advocacy organization representing 19,000 cities, towns, and villages, and encompassing 49 state municipal leagues....
and a member of the board for over twenty years. In 1988, Hudnut was named City and State magazine’s Nation’s Most Valuable Public Official. In 1985 he earned the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and in 1986 a Woodrow Wilson Award
Woodrow Wilson Award
Woodrow Wilson Awards are given out multiple times each year by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution to individuals in both the public sphere and business who have shown an outstanding commitment to President of the United States Woodrow Wilson's dream...
for Public Service.
Hudnut was a presidential elector in the 1980 Presidential election
United States presidential election, 1980
The United States presidential election of 1980 featured a contest between incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter and his Republican opponent, Ronald Reagan, as well as Republican Congressman John B. Anderson, who ran as an independent...
.
In 1990, Hudnut ran for Indiana Secretary of State, but lost to Joseph H. Hogsett. He chose not to run for a fifth term in 1991.
Later life
Hudnut now lives in Maryland. In 2004, Hudnut took office as the mayor of the town of Chevy Chase, MarylandChevy Chase (town), Maryland
Chevy Chase is an incorporated town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,726 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Chevy Chase is located at ....
. He is the Joseph C. Canizaro Chair for Public Policy for the Urban Land Institute
Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute, or ULI, is a non-profit research and education organization with offices in Washington, D.C., Hong Kong, and London...
in Washington, D.C.
Hudnut has written five books:
- Minister Mayor, 1987, about his political and religious experiences
- The Hudnut Years in Indianapolis, 1976-1991, 1995, about city leadership
- Cities on the Rebound, 1998, an analysis of future successful cities
- Halfway to Everywhere, 2003, about America’s best suburbs
- Changing Metropolitan America: Planning for a More Sustainable Future, 2008