This weeks IBJ has an editorial on the Convention Hotel proposals and the first paragraph mentions that its hard to get excited for any one of them except the Pan Am Proposal. Oddly, though, the article goes on to state that the Courtyard site would be a good addition because it would "link" WRSP with the rest of downtown...hmm...there is already a hotel there and restaurant. If that doesn't link the two, nothing will! It also mentions that the Courtyard site is in "better shape" fiscally because there are no questions about parking and money. This is why I think the city MUST choose the Pan Am site because I recall when the Courtyard site was first mentioned, the developer stated they would build regardless. So, if one is already funded, then the City should pick Pan Am.

Saturday I took my dog to the canal. On the way I drove past Pan An and payed more attention to the site. Two things:

-The site is bigger than you think. Once the skating rink is gone, there is a nice sized foot print there.

-I think that the proposal is a red brick color to match the tower already on the site.

Finally, after our walk, we went to Mass Ave. We walked around College and Mass Ave. That area is shaping up to be AWESOME. The Bilouhny is nearly complete and work is progressing very well on the 4-story Axis condo project on North Street. 707 North Street (same people doing the bilouhny), which is an 8-story condo right next to the Axis project, has two signs up and will be a great addition. Also, the Lockerbie Park site is in full swing.

I couldn't help but think that there needs to be some sort of streetscape/enhancement project along College once all of these projects are completed.


I couldn't agree more that College needs streetscape improvements, but so does much of downtown Indy. I think some decorative lampposts would go a long way. Many areas need new curbs and sidewalks. Indy has already branded each quad with those color signs, so why not "brand" each area with a distinctive streetscape?

I will be back into town soon to meet with some business clients, hopefully staying at the Conrad again :) I hope to see the area around Mass and College a little more "grown up." Any word yet on the Coke plant? To me that is the lynch pin development that could really make that area more vibrant.

The growth of Indianapolis was an issue again at the prosecuter debate between Brizzi and Kennedy...

Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, a Republican seeking re-election, said jail crowding took longer to solve than it should have and that police staffing suffered under Peterson.

"Good grief," Brizzi said. "What good is a new dome, a new Convention Center and a $150 million library project if the police don't have a contract, if the prosecutor's office gets cut and that money goes to those who defend criminals? Public safety has to be the priority."

He is an interesting character.

Conrad condos are swanky digs

Indianapolis - Most people who check into the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis eventually check out, but some have no intention of ever leaving. Deane Shepard is one of them. He's moving in to the 23rd floor.

"There's only one place to live downtown and this is it," Shepard said.

Shepard owns one of the 15 condos atop the Conrad: 4,000 square feet of sheer luxury.

"I can imagine how Frank Sinatra felt in Vegas a few years ago," he said. " Or Howard Hughes when he built a hotel and said 'I want to live on top and have all the amenities.'"

Those amenities include housekeeping, room service, dry cleaning and limousine service, all a quick phone call away. Shepard can also use the fitness center, the pool and enjoy a treatment at the spa.

The view of downtown is also a big draw for a man who loves cities and grew up in Indianapolis.

"I can see my high school, my college and I can almost see to Carmel where my kids live, Shepard said. "This is great. It's really wonderful."

While 11 of the 15 condos are sold, Shepard is just one of two people now living at One North Illinois. (Residents have a private entrance on the west side of the hotel on Illinois.) Because each unit is custom-designed, construction averages seven months.

Most are now in the process of being built. But it's that custom design that really sets the units apart, said Kite Companies Chris Mulloy.

"The uniqueness of being able to come in and design your own condo, your layout, your floors, having your own style" is a big selling point, Mulloy said.

As for the cost of calling the Conrad home? The larger condos run a cool $4 to $5 million, a new high for downtown Indy. Realtor Kurt Flock said the Conrad "raises the bar. It actually establishes a new standard for luxury living downtown."

Flock believes the Conrad opens the door for other high-end projects and not just residential living.

"Indianapolis has to turn that corner, to think big, to be like a big city where we have a vibrant lifestyle going on all the time," Flock said. Pointing to the Conrad, he added, "We have that here now."

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5558154

One thing I've noticed in my few years here in Indy is that there are some projects or announcement that initially make a lot of noise and create a great deal of buzz, only to never be spoke of again. What ever happened to these projects:
*One Indiana Square Repairs and Upgrades (I'm sick of looking at that 20 story "Building Band-Aid")
*Coke Building on Mass Ave.
*Transit Center
*Chesapeake Place
*Renovation and Occupancy of the Illinois Building (Such a prime space with so much potential)
*The Vacant Old Navy space Downtown which was supposed to be the popular Chicago Restaurant, Weber Grill
And of course, our favorite
*One Market Square
My curiosity is killing me!:dunno:

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5566835

I'm heading into to town tomorrow for a concert at the.. Egyptian Room I think? Something about Egypt, and I was wondering if there are some good CHEAP places to eat nearby..?
Thanks

And when they hell are you gus gonna get a new thread? You should be on number 6...

That's at the Murat, which is on Mass Ave. Macniven's is near by and is inexpensive with a nice atmosphere. Its a Scottish pub. Also, Yats is very inexpensive and the Front Page has great bar food. All are on Mass Ave. If you are gay, I suggest Engish Ivy's just north on Alabama.

I'm heading into to town tomorrow for a concert at the.. Egyptian Room I think? Something about Egypt, and I was wondering if there are some good CHEAP places to eat nearby..?
Thanks

And when they hell are you gus gonna get a new thread? You should be on number 6...

Eat somewhere on Mass ave which is right nearby. Stay away from the circle as it is all mostly touristy and boring chains. I like Yats on Mass ave:

http://www.yatscajuncreole.com/menu.php

Its a cajun place thats cheap and kind of fun. The vibe is very similar to Frankfort Ave and Gumbo a Go Go. I enjoyed it last time I was in Indy to visit some business clients.

I'm heading into to town tomorrow for a concert at the.. Egyptian Room I think? Something about Egypt, and I was wondering if there are some good CHEAP places to eat nearby..?
Thanks
The Egytian Room is the large (2k+ capacity) ballroom in back of the Murat Theatre. A really good cajun/creole place to eat at near there is Yat's. Every plate is $5.

http://www.yatscajuncreole.com/

659 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204

edit: Jeez, how about that for 3 endorsements of Yats while I was writing?! I think that's definitely the place to hit.

The Egytian Room is the large (2k+ capacity) ballroom in back of the Murat Theatre. A really good cajun/creole place to eat at near there is Yat's. Every plate is $5.

http://www.yatscajuncreole.com/

659 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204

edit: Jeez, how about that for 3 endorsements of Yats while I was writing?! I think that's definitely the place to hit.

I thought the same thing! Cwilson, myself, and Corr all put in recs for Yats. Actually, if I am not mistaken, Yats gets their food and recipes from Gumbo a Go Go in Louisville. Thus the 5 dollar a bowl thing.

Simon headquarters open house

Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - It was two years in the making. Saturday is an opportunity for a first look inside the new Simon corporate headquarters downtown.

Employees moved in and Saturday family and friends of Simon got inside for a sneak peak.

Indy's newest high rise has a high-profile spot in the heart of downtown.

Contemporary architecture outside, only rivaled by its expansive interior.

The newly-completed 14 story $55 million Simon Headquarters boasts the best of modern design.


"The redesign that ratio did was fantastic. It fits very nicely in its surroundings. It's a great location. It's a great facility and the amenities are excellent and I think the group has been very very pleased with the result," said Simon Executive vice-president John Rulli.

The headquarters on West Washington houses Simon's one-thousand employees.

They'll spend their work days in style with 39 modern conference rooms, an internet cafe, fitness center and two-story outdoor terrace.

The building's nearly 1,200 windows provide a breathtaking view of the RCA dome and the dome atop the statehouse.

Location is said to be everything in real estate and this prime spot did come with controversy at the start.

The city took heat for letting simon build on park space across from the capitol.

The finished product factored that in to the design.

"We had to take up as little of the green space as we could and try to create an environment around us that was still appropriate for the city and worked well for the community," said Rulli.

It took more than 260,000 man hours to finish the facility.

Now Simon employees previously scattered in three buildings are able to work together for the first time under one roof.

Simon sees that as its foundation for future success.

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5571096

This week's IBJ has a couple of "positives" about the roposed Hotel Intercontinental at Pan Am Plaza. One is an article on the Skating Academy which is on the site and it states that they have been instructed to relocate as early as May. The article goes on to state that the City hasn't chosen which project will win, but that the site needed to be vacated.

Another was a letter to the editor stating that the Pan Am site must be chose...for all of teh reasons pointed-out here.

I have a great feeling about this and I can't wait to FINALLY see a new crane in the air building the City's new second-tallest!!!

Hell yes! im very excited. Even though its not set in stone I have had quiet confidence in this project because it is undeniably the logical and best choice. Like you said...cant wait to see a crane! :righton:

I'm excited, too, but am remaining cautiously optimistic about it. Given the whole OMS debacle, I'm trying to not to set myself up for disappointment if the Whiteco (or mysterious Westin) proposal was selected.

Speaking of OMS, it's getting close to the end of the month. I think they are supposed to announce the new plans for the site by the 31st, right? I'm keeping my fingers crossed. WTHR had an 'update' about the site last week, but they basically just reiterated all the things they said in their first story on it (Mayor wants a skyscraper, no presell, large retail component, etc.)

I'm excited, too, but am remaining cautiously optimistic about it. Given the whole OMS debacle, I'm trying to not to set myself up for disappointment if the Whiteco (or mysterious Westin) proposal was selected.

Speaking of OMS, it's getting close to the end of the month. I think they are supposed to announce the new plans for the site by the 31st, right? I'm keeping my fingers crossed. WTHR had an 'update' about the site last week, but they basically just reiterated all the things they said in their first story on it (Mayor wants a skyscraper, no presell, large retail component, etc.)

Yeah, we should know about OMS by Tuesday or Wednesday next week at the latest. I'm pretty optimistic, I'm guessing there will be an office element introduced to the tower(s) that will keep them tall and make the project more doable.

I walked the dog down by Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend. There's a whole lot of brick and Limestone going up on the West side of the building. It looks better than I thought it would... the renderings look so reddish! It's a more brown brick than red. Very nice.

I walked the dog down by Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend. There's a whole lot of brick and Limestone going up on the West side of the building. It looks better than I thought it would... the renderings look so reddish! It's a more brown brick than red. Very nice.
I drove past the stadium last week and I agree, the initial brick and limestone looks great. The finished product should be very impressive.

Also, just noticed yesterday some dirt being pushed around between buildings on the SW side of Indiana between Michigan and West. It's a pretty thin strip of land so construction doesn't seem too likely, but who knows...

One thing I've noticed in my few years here in Indy is that there are some projects or announcement that initially make a lot of noise and create a great deal of buzz, only to never be spoke of again. What ever happened to these projects:
*One Indiana Square Repairs and Upgrades (I'm sick of looking at that 20 story "Building Band-Aid")
*Coke Building on Mass Ave.
*Transit Center
*Chesapeake Place
*Renovation and Occupancy of the Illinois Building (Such a prime space with so much potential)
*The Vacant Old Navy space Downtown which was supposed to be the popular Chicago Restaurant, Weber Grill
And of course, our favorite
*One Market Square
My curiosity is killing me!:dunno:

Does anyone have any updates???

Does anyone have any updates???

No more than what's already been posted in this thread. sorry. This forum does have a search function that works pretty well if you're specific.

Does anyone have any updates???

Indianapolis Public Schools will address the Coke Plant next month. No specific details on weather they are going to accept any proposals. Part of the deal of selling the building hinges on the developer providing them 15 acres and a new building for bus maintenance. This has been especially difficult, since there are very few available parcels of land in Center Township that are close to 15 acres.

Hopefully somebody will have found them a site for the maintenance facility and IPS will make an announcement next month.