My house was about 1800sq ft. It was nearly square, but 2 1/2 stories high with a finished attic. Not atypical of Chicagoland. If it ever caught on fire, game over, even half a block from the fire station as I was. I had peak gas bills of $400/month in the winter, but I wasn't exactly conserving.

If those east side houses are being truly gutted, and any plaster walls removed, they could be insulated pretty easily, but it's still not going to be like new construction.

This is such a weird development. Its like a little fake city... It reminds me of the WalMart stores that have facades that look like small buildings so that its not just a big grey box. I like sustainable and walkable urban communities, which seems like their goal, but it reminds me of the mega hotels in Las Vegas where you could live the rest of your life without leaving. I guess it is all in how it is executed. My initial opinion of this project is mostly negative, but that is probably me projecting my dislike for the ubiquity of urban sprawl. This might be something different. Ill have to learn more about it and see how the finished product turns out. It is interesting if nothing else.

More pics and renders (http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=54966649964)

Kinda like New York New York in Vegas. Strange, when I see that in Vegas, it is large and all, however it does not seem like a real highrise-highrises. This thing seems nice, but kinda fake.

But a DIY or pay-as-you go renovation generally requires that the place be habitable. One problem on the near east side is that many of the houses aren't much more than a shell unfit for habitation; those are the ones that probably should meet Mr. Demolition. There's a vast difference between such houses and the ones Eddie and Bosart Brown and Garfield Park are talking about (and the ones arenn and I fixed up); the "worst house on the block" in a still-decent neighborhood doesn't require nearly the level of immediate reinvestment that many of the dilapidated near east side places do.


I totally agree that there are houses on the near-east side that are just crying out for the wrecking ball. I was really only referring to the near-east side dev project which only has limited funds of about 20 million $. It doesn't seem feasible that they'll be able to do any major new construction with these types of funds (given the size of the area) but for houses that are good candidates for rehab these funds could make a much larger dent in creating quality housing stock for the near-east side.

Another thing that makes new construction difficult; the real estate values on this side of town are dirt low. I would only expect to get 60 cents back for each dollar spent on new construction given the price of the competition.

In the future I would love to see new construction. But I think you have to start somewhere to make that type of development feasible. I think rehab is the best place to start. If it makes the area more desirable then adjacent real estate values are likely to rise making new construction in the area much more likely.

I got off on a tangent about the quality of older housing in general and the reasons why a person might choose to rehab vs tear down. I wasn't trying to say that every old house be saved.

Kinda like New York New York in Vegas. Strange, when I see that in Vegas, it is large and all, however it does not seem like a real highrise-highrises. This thing seems nice, but kinda fake.

At least they aren't made of styrofoam like much of Vegas. (EIFS maybe)

The biggest problem that gives it the air of inauthenticity is the fact that the buildings don't derive from different time periods. One of Ms. Jacobs' key components to a good urban built environment is that the diversity includes date of construction. But this is top-down city building: Mayor Brainerd is Peter the Great and Carmel is his Saint Petersburg. I think it will look a little better when it ages, if it's built well enough to age and not just to deteriorate.

Another thing that makes new construction difficult; the real estate values on this side of town are dirt low. I would only expect to get 60 cents back for each dollar spent on new construction given the price of the competition.

Here's the thing: often a total rehab has the same problem with market value.

The bigger picture case for broader demolition and new construction is the Fall Creek Place example. New construction was able to sell (and sustain) at market in that area because people knew their new house wouldn't be next to a derelict wreck today, or next year, or in five years. Transformative change of a multi-block area is how neighborhoods that have declined too far are fixed.

The good models of house-by-house rehab involve significant gentrification over time. The near east side would be the first to pull that off without gentrifying.

Again, I point out this: the personal examples we've all shared are cases of taking on the worst house on a block in a still-desirable neighborhood. Those houses largely had significant deferred maintenance but were still habitable. On the near east side, houses like we all took on are usually the BEST houses on the block, not the worst.

It reminds me of the WalMart stores that have facades that look like small buildings so that its not just a big grey box.

More pics and renders (http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=54966649964)

At least they aren't made of styrofoam like much of Vegas. (EIFS maybe)

I drove right past it; it looks like maybe some EIFS near the top, but there is definitely lots of stone and brick. It looks like they are doing the mansard roofs with real zinc, which will make a huge difference. Overall it looks less fake and more real than I had expected. They could have gotten away with a lot more shortcuts than they took. As far as the concert hall goes, they are definitely not cutting any corners there. Well, structurally maybe (http://www.indy.com/posts/work-halts-at-carmel-performing-arts-center), but not with how the place looks!

If it is the board up on the corner that backs up to the gas station, then it had fairly extensive fire damage at some point. Probably more expensive to fix than it looks. I also don't think it has parking, which makes it less attractive for investors.

There are large Tutor homes and other nice 1900-1930 era homes west of Meridian that are deteriorated...that is what I am talking about. Im not talking about the large apartment buildings.

benjamin000, you can tell your neighbor to pretend she's in South Philly and plant a broken lawn chair in "her" parking space whenever she pulls away from the curb. People in Philly have been shot over moving those lawn chairs, more frequently than you might imagine, and especially during snow...

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100107/LOCAL1803/1070424/1003/BUSINESS/Foundry-site-s-buyers-plan-auto-salvage-yard

:ohno:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100107/LOCAL1803/1070424/1003/BUSINESS/Foundry-site-s-buyers-plan-auto-salvage-yard

:ohno:

Yeah. Isn't that a wonderful idea?

How could the City not have found $400K to buy it in the first instance when the Chrysler carcass was being sold out of bankruptcy court. The city has access to Brownfield grants and could have cleaned it up.

And then...build its jail, police HQ and criminal-court center there. Free up some prime downtown real estate (Jail, Jail II, APC).

At least they aren't made of styrofoam like much of Vegas. (EIFS maybe)

The biggest problem that gives it the air of inauthenticity is the fact that the buildings don't derive from different time periods. One of Ms. Jacobs' key components to a good urban built environment is that the diversity includes date of construction. But this is top-down city building: Mayor Brainerd is Peter the Great and Carmel is his Saint Petersburg. I think it will look a little better when it ages, if it's built well enough to age and not just to deteriorate.

Yeah, I think the Venitian has alot of styrofoam used, saw a travel channel documentary or something that had them hiring people for styrofoam work, because of deadlines?

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/Keeping-city-sidewalks-clear-of-snow

:bash::ohno::bash:

There are two cranes on IUPUI campus, I know one is for the parking garage, but there is another one at blackford st. Anyone know what development this is?

I walked across the Vermont gerbile tube tonight and noticed it. I'm not familiar enough with all the buildings there so not sure.

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/Keeping-city-sidewalks-clear-of-snow

:bash::ohno::bash:

The question was asked at tonight's "Mayor's Night Out" event on the East Side, if the City had any plans to try to increase compliance with this ordinance. The general response from both the mayor and Dept of Code Enforcement Director Rick Powers was that the City didn't have a lot of resources to devote this, and that it is an issue best handled by neighborhoods.

My perception was that they don't seem to realize that the City is in the unique position of being able to actually change the culture to achieve the tipping point where the uncleared sidewalk becomes the exception rather than the norm through a combination of a public awareness blitz and setting some examples through enforcement. Once residents and business owners realize that they are in the minority if they don't clear their sidewalks, the problem will mostly take care of itself as there will be few violators that require enforcement.

Once residents and business owners realize that they are in the minority if they don't clear their sidewalks, the problem will mostly take care of itself as there will be few violators that require enforcement.

My block clears their sidewalks entirely. There is a great guy that has a riding lawnmower with a plow and a few other residents (mostly the homeowners) clear the rest off. However, no one else follows suit.

Hell KIBI didn't even clear their sidewalks after the first snow.

I can understand side street taking a minute, but major thorough fairs should be cleared immediately and fines should be issued.

If I'm not riding my bike, I'm walking and taking the bus (by choice) and it's a rarity to see sidewalks clear anywhere. From the near eastside to meridian kessler.

It's pathetic. Especially with the pedestrian deaths happening recently. Being forced to walk in the street is a great way to disenfranchise the citizens of Indianapolis.

Either the city needs to hand out waterproof snow boots to all citizens, clear the sidewalks or start issuing fines to the citizens/businesses who aren't clearing.

I think they should issue fines. At the very least, business owners will take the extra 15-20 minutes to get a shovel out and clear them. I was riding along wiht my wife last week and thought to myself, How hard would it be for people to take an extra few minutes when they are shoveling their own walks, to get the street? It really boils down to a lack of motivation.

Of course, I dont have this problem on my street... there arent even sidewalks on it :( /wah me

The politically tricky thing with enforcement is when little old ladies start getting fined for not being out in the cold shovelling their walk.
Another item is that is one thing to clear off the snow nature puts on your walk. It is an entirely different endeaver when the city dumps the wet, dense snow from half the street on your walk when they plow.
Now I religiously clear of my walks, even the dirty wet bonus snow the city gives me, but this seems to be an issue better dealt with by neighborhood associations and culture, which can be a little more nuanced.

I finally got a reply from the office of sustainability on the topic of the Union Station Green Roof project. I actually dug and found some of the project engineers and emailed them directly. I generated a reply too. Here is what I was told. While not as grand as Im sure everyone would like, it represents some green thinking, and one cannot deny that this area IS an area of need

The idea with Union Station is to do a modular green roof on area above the bridge at Meridian St. This may help alleviate the poor drainage which degrades the pavement below.



We got several potential project funders lined up and are working with engineering and architecture firms housed in Union Station on some design concepts. We’ve also engaged the IHPC regarding historical issues associated with this project, which are minimal.



At this point I really don’t have any more details, other than that we’d like to install the project in Fall 2010.

I put up a big stink at my apartment complex (Gardens of Canal Court) last winter about their lack of shoveling on West St. and St. Clair. I even produced a copy of the city ordinance about snow removal on sidewalks and they had some response about thinking the sidewalks weren't required to be cleared because the garages back up to the sidewalks, not the residences (they clear the internal sidewalks because that's where the residences are). Can you believe that? Effectively, they don't shovel their sidewalks because the complex wasn't built to urban design standards!

Knowing that the threat of a $50 fine was irrelevant to a 400 apartment complex, I went to the city to just get a ruling about their responsibility to shovel the sidewalks around the complex. After repeated contacts, I hit a dead end and gave up. The city clearly wants nothing to do with enforcement of the code.

Last week, I saw several people walking on WEST STREET because the sidewalks weren't cleared around my complex.

There are two cranes on IUPUI campus, I know one is for the parking garage, but there is another one at blackford st. Anyone know what development this is?

Glick Eye Institute I think.
http://magazine.iupui.edu/_Assets/09Winter/gallery/glick.jpg

Interesting.

fences have went up around the old St Vincent Hospital next to Ivy Tech. They have the coming soon signs up on the fences with the addition they are making to the building. I know it came with much disdain at least on this board. Apparently, nothing happened to change the design huh? Same funky design is on the coming soon signs.

http://www.ibj.com/riley-towers-expansion-in-works/PARAMS/article/15677

http://www.ibj.com/riley-towers-expansion-in-works/PARAMS/article/15677

I was just gonna post that. Here's the site plan: https://admin.ibj.com/ext/resources/blog/propertylines/225enorth.pdf

I was just gonna post that. Here's the site plan: https://admin.ibj.com/ext/resources/blog/propertylines/225enorth.pdf

Thanks for posting that. I used to live in Tower #1 at Riley. That would have been my new new view. I'm not surprised that Regions Banks let go that parking. After I lost my job with them in 2008 I discovered they were cutting back on everything.

Hmm... development following the cultural trail?? NO WAAAAAAAY!

WTHR (or whoever penned that crap story a couple months back... EAT YOUR HEART OUT)

haha

Hmm... development following the cultural trail?? NO WAAAAAAAY!

WTHR (or whoever penned that crap story a couple months back... EAT YOUR HEART OUT)

haha

Nice! "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?"

http://www.theindycog.com/2009/11/wrtv-confusion-abounds-over-cost-of.html

Even the thought of that news story makes my blood boil!

Great news!! My only concern is the design of the parking garage on the first and second floors... I believe Cory was telling me that we do a horrible job of building urban parking garages. Hopefully this project will have a solid design all around.

Indy one of only two US Midwest Cities still in running to host World Cup Soccer games in 2018 or 2022!!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/4820276/ce/us/us-bid-includes-some-odd-host-cities?cc=5901&ver=us

So much for home-field advantage.

The USA Bid Committee announced on Tuesday its list of prospective host cities for either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup. The list of 18 lucky locales will be included in the official bid document that will be submitted to FIFA later this year. Yet the most surprising development involved one metropolis that didn't make the list, Chicago.

That's right. The very city that the U.S. Soccer Federation calls home, the third-largest media market in the country, and the town that hosted the opening game of the 1994 FIFA World Cup will not be among the list of cities included in the bid.

Of course, just how fluid this list is remains to be seen. In the unlikely event that the U.S. lands the 2018 edition (sentiment is running high to award the tournament to a European country), then the festivities would still not take place for another eight years. That number rises to 12 if the 2022 tournament is the one that lands stateside. And who knows what the political landscape will be in a given town or what stadiums might be built in the interim. Chicago's omission could be nothing more than a stern message from the bid committee to get its act together.

But if today's announcement is set in stone, it leaves one to wonder if by omitting Chicago, the bid has been weakened. Granted, the U.S. is a country awash with cities and stadiums more than capable of hosting World Cup matches, and it's hard to imagine the exclusion of a single city putting the bid in jeopardy. But what kind of message does it send to FIFA that one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country -- one no doubt still smarting from its failed bid to land the 2016 Olympics -- couldn't muster the requisite enthusiasm to crack the presumed final list? It's certainly not a development that committee chairman Sunil Gulati will be trumpeting when he submits the official document to FIFA on or before May 14.

Time will reveal all, of course, and Chicago was by no means the only metropolis wearing a frown on Tuesday. Yet the others fell along more predictable lines. The lack of a suitable facility appears to have doomed the San Francisco Bay Area. The Oakland-Alameda Coliseum isn't the most intimate of venues for watching soccer, and Stanford Stadium's capacity of just over 50,000 (the average of the chosen venues is 78,000) likely undermined the San Francisco effort. As a result, the Bay Area joins Chicago, Detroit and Orlando as 1994 World Cup venues that failed to make the cut. Charlotte, Cleveland, Jacksonville, and St. Louis were also not among the 18 chosen.

The list of cities that did make it: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York-New Jersey, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

From this list, Chicago's loss was certainly Indianapolis' gain as the city long used to hosting "the greatest spectacle in racing" finds itself still in the running to host World Cup matches.

Scott Boehm/Getty Images
The 80,000-seat Cowboys Stadium made the USSF's final cut for the 2018 World Cup bid.

Another area that will be bear watching is Southern California. It seems unlikely that both San Diego and Los Angeles will host games, and San Diego has something that Los Angeles doesn't, namely a suitable venue in Qualcomm Stadium. The Rose Bowl might have hosted the 1994 World Cup final, but it clearly lacks the amenities of more modern stadiums that have been built since then. Therefore it seems likely that Los Angeles will need to construct a new stadium, or refurbish an existing venue to become a World Cup host city for the second time. Otherwise, Los Angeles could suffer the same fate as Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The U.S. bid certainly has plenty going for it, especially given that practically no money will be needed in terms of building new stadiums or infrastructure. Its history of successfully hosting a previous edition also bodes well.

That's why many feel that the U.S. is the favorite to host the 2022 tournament. But beware Australia, a sports-mad country that has hosted some big events of its own. Gulati and Co. can only hope that possibly excluding three of the six biggest media markets from the list of host cities is deemed irrelevant.

It is great to hear that the Cultural Trail is already leading to new developmet! Further, I have always thought that Riley Towers had plenty of room to potentially develop one of the "failed" towers that was propsed when this project was first developed way back in the day! NOW, here's hoping that the interior of the towers gets some much needed love and make-over.

double post.

The less-than-beloved appearance of the new Soldier Field is pretty well-known, but another absurd result of the decision to build a new stadium inside the husk of the old one is that the current Soldier Field has the lowest seating capacity in the NFL. Chicago is the nation's 3rd largest city and the Bears have a huge and devoted fan base, but the stadium seats only 61,000. I wonder if that might have some impact. While he mentions stadium size as a reason why Stanford Stadium might not have worked, that may be an issue for Soldier Field as well.

Did anyone see that Cincinnati City Council's Finance Committee pushed back awarding 3.5 million for the streetcar project, for 2 more weeks?

It is frustrating to hear about this stuff grinding on like this...

The politically tricky thing with enforcement is when little old ladies start getting fined for not being out in the cold shovelling their walk.
Another item is that is one thing to clear off the snow nature puts on your walk. It is an entirely different endeaver when the city dumps the wet, dense snow from half the street on your walk when they plow.
Now I religiously clear of my walks, even the dirty wet bonus snow the city gives me, but this seems to be an issue better dealt with by neighborhood associations and culture, which can be a little more nuanced.

Right. On many streets, we build the sidewalk right next to the curb...so the homeowner has to wait until the plow goes by, if it's a major or secondary artery.

For many years I lived on a busy corner in Meridian Kessler on such a street. The main street always got plowed because the street has four or five schools on it between 38th and Kessler. In addition, it is an IndyGo route, and several of my neighbors used to board at my corner. Fortunately, I didn't have to go to the office at first light, and I always took my trusty snowblower out to hit the sidewalks early.

But if I hit the sidewalks before the plow came by, and then left for work, by the time I got home the slushy junk was frozen on my nice clean sidewalk...making it far LESS safe than if I'd just left it sit until after the plow came by.

So we've kind of designed-in a situation where there is every reason to wait before clearing a sidewalk, at least on that street and others like it.

Did anyone see that Cincinnati City Council's Finance Committee pushed back awarding 3.5 million for the streetcar project, for 2 more weeks?

It is frustrating to hear about this stuff grinding on like this...

Unfortunately in the US rail transit does grind at a very slow speed. (It shouldn't, it should be treated with the same process that road building goes through or even better.) Cincy is slowly moving forward on their streetcar plans (they have been working on this process since about 2006). The challenge still comes down to funding, and that is still not been locked down (I know they have applied for some federal funds). But, every little bit helps. Hopefully Indy, Columbus, Louisville, or Cincy will finally get some rail transit built and this will then spur the other 3 into action.

The politically tricky thing with enforcement is when little old ladies start getting fined for not being out in the cold shovelling their walk.
Another item is that is one thing to clear off the snow nature puts on your walk. It is an entirely different endeaver when the city dumps the wet, dense snow from half the street on your walk when they plow.
Now I religiously clear of my walks, even the dirty wet bonus snow the city gives me, but this seems to be an issue better dealt with by neighborhood associations and culture, which can be a little more nuanced.

If this issue is best left to neighborhood associations as the mayor and the head of code enforcement also said, then the law should be repealed. Would you suggest that city also leave it to neighborhood associations to deal with property owners who don't mow their grass or otherwise let their properties deteriorate?

Obviously, friends, relatives, and neighbors should help each other out, but if little old ladies can manage to get their lawns mowed, they can get their sidewalks cleared.

Right. On many streets, we build the sidewalk right next to the curb...so the homeowner has to wait until the plow goes by, if it's a major or secondary artery.

...

But if I hit the sidewalks before the plow came by, and then left for work, by the time I got home the slushy junk was frozen on my nice clean sidewalk...making it far LESS safe than if I'd just left it sit until after the plow came by.

So we've kind of designed-in a situation where there is every reason to wait before clearing a sidewalk, at least on that street and others like it.

You'd think the City would have realized this design flaw and stopped building narrow sidewalks right next to the curb with no place to buffer for plowed snow storage (not to mention all the other benefits of tree lawns), but unfortunately, we keep getting more of the same, especially along busy arterial streets where the problem and the resulting danger for pedestrians is most pronounced.

If this issue is best left to neighborhood associations as the mayor and the head of code enforcement also said, then the law should be repealed. Would you suggest that city also leave it to neighborhood associations to deal with property owners who don't mow their grass or otherwise let their properties deteriorate?

Obviously, friends, relatives, and neighbors should help each other out, but if little old ladies can manage to get their lawns mowed, they can get their sidewalks cleared.

maybe it should be repealed or rethought, since its not working.

the difference between mowing and snow removal is significant. the former can be scheduled and budgeted and is thus seen as a regular part of property maintenance. the arrival of snow is unpredictable and is met with alarmism news reporting and people making runs to the store for milk and bread. most of the time it is over-reactionary, but the overall effect unfortunatley shifts mindsets away from civility to survival. of course this is ridiculus, but clearing sidewalks moves down the priority list for most.

another difference is that the city does not issue fines for not mowing your lawn; it sends you a bill for doing it themselves.

Some good news on the transit/streetcar funding front.

US DOT just removed (yesterday) their long standing requirements that limited transit/rail funding opportunities. This is a significant step forward and should allow transit to be more competitive for federal dollars.

US DOT also announced that they may tap into TIGER funds ($1.5 billion) for rail projects.

US DOT will also be announcing who will be awarded the $130 million in streetcar funds early this year. A maximum of $25 million per project will be allocated. They will also be allocating $150 million for bus transit needs as well.

Hopefully, Indy, Cincy, or Columbus (or all) will receive some of these funds. It may not cover all the costs but, it would be a huge step forward.

I dont know what kind of rail funds Indy could glean from that. There is no plan firmly in place.... yet

Great news about the World Cup! 2018 or 2022 is enough time to get a good rail system in for international visitors, right?

Just came across this fledgling blog: http://www.nd20.org/. I like the potential. There is one video working here (http://www.nd20.org/2009/12/design-guidelines/)

I dont know what kind of rail funds Indy could glean from that. There is no plan firmly in place.... yet

Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal specifically mentioned Indy in its story today about this funding stream going toward streetcars and other light rail.

Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal specifically mentioned Indy in its story today about this funding stream going toward streetcars and other light rail.

You never know what is happening behind the scenes, at least politically.

The TIGER funds only equate to about $30M per state if equally spread. That's more or less Indiana's share on a population weighted base too. I wouldn't get too excited.

I don't have a complete list of who applies for funds, but the two projects I'd like to see get some are the Madison-Milton bridge replacement and the 96th/Keystone roundabout interchange. (The Cline Ave. viaduct would be on my list, but I think that came too late for an application).

By the way, did you see that INDOT tried to cancel the US 31 freeway upgrade in Hamilton County - again! Incredible. They went to local gov't and told them it was out of Major Moves and wouldn't start for 10-15 years. That's INDOT speak for "Your project is canceled." A rebellion ensued and INDOT committed to funding through 2012 - conveniently the end of Daniels terms. If the next governor isn't gung ho on this, I'd say the project will be yet again in a major danger zone about that time.

Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal specifically mentioned Indy in its story today about this funding stream going toward streetcars and other light rail.

Links are always nice homie.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704675104575001560050211080.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_6

"HNTB Corp., an infrastructure firm that serves federal, state, and other clients, is working on a commuter-rail project in Indianapolis that could benefit from the change, said Liz Rao, the firm's national public-transit services chairwoman."

I was just coming back to post that link too. I couldnt have asked for better timing for what I have been writing. That will fit nicely into my final wrap up.

Good to hear

Links are always nice homie.

I know, I know, and I usually do. I thought the WSJ limited free views, but apparently was wrong. Next time I'll take the extra sixty seconds and find the link.

And while I'm at it, here's a gratuitous triple play: a skyscraper/Frank Lloyd Wright/Chicago link. :)

What the Burj Khalifa Owes to Frank Lloyd Wright (http://www.slate.com/id/2241275/)

(The Cline Ave. viaduct would be on my list, but I think that came too late for an application).

You know you're getting old when you remember when now-crumbling infrastructure was new and heralded. Sigh.

Really...wasn't that damn thing built in the late 70's/early 80's? I remember Doc Bowen and Governor Orr touting that as one of their administrations' major accomplishments.

http://www.ibj.com/shiel-sexton-plans-50m-project-near-methodist-hospital/PARAMS/article/15787

hey look maybe some of those nw downtown parking lots will be going away :)

Ravens 28 - Colts 20

My prediction

^^let's get ready to RUMBLE!!!!:bash:

Is anyone else as disappointed as i am that there has been no good coverage of the City during the Colts playoff game? If i recall, there was only one shot outside of LOS, which was the capitol building. Even if the weather didn't allow for aerial coverage, there should have been a few shots of Monument Circle. Considering the amount of money the taxpayers of central Indiana contribute to the team, i don't feel this is asking too much.

^^
Not that we are going to see those guys back here anytime soon but...

WHAT NOW!
:banana:

Ravens 28 - Colts 20

My prediction

Just to preserve that against any future editing. :lol:

Just to preserve that against any future editing. :lol::runaway::runaway:

Ravens 28 - Colts 20

My prediction

Actual Score: Ravens 3 - Colts 20

The Cline Ave. extension was built in the 1980's. The problem isn't that it is old, but with the particularly type of design used. My guess is that every bridge built using that technique in the northern part of the state will ultimately have problems. Though since engineers are now aware of the problem, they can be more aggressive in preventing major damage. There aren't many of these out there, but you'll notice two big ones if you ever take I-80/I-94 and drive under those huge flyovers at the Cline Ave. interchange. It would be another major expense if those had to be replaced.

I would like to see less of these developers daydreaming and more of these projects coming to fruition. So the pipe dream list continues; including Library Square from Buckingham, this new super block near methodist, the old bank one operations center, the new riley towers notsotower, The ugly looking adobe-esque thing over by the cosmopolitan, the IMOCA, the mass ave building without parking, A number of apartment communities over near IUPUI/Indiana Ave, and who could forget penn centre. I'm feeling like maybe its time for all of us to email the ibj and share with them pipe dreams of our very own.

Not a shock, but a big disappointment.
---------------------------------------
City is shut out in HUD program's latest grants

Indy got $29M in '09, sought $35M this round from Neighborhood Stabilization Program

By Jeff Swiatek
jeff.swiatek@indystar.com

Indianapolis came up empty-handed in competition for nearly $2 billion in new federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants that were announced Thursday.

Only $14 million in NSP money was awarded to Indiana. It will go to Boston-based The Community Builders Inc. for a residential redevelopment project in East Chicago, said John Hall, field office director in Indianapolis for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Indianapolis fared much better in the first round of NSP grants awarded last spring by HUD. The city got $29 million then.

The second round was more competitive than the first, with money awarded to projects, Hall said. In the first round, funding was based on a formula that favored cities suffering from high home foreclosure rates, he said.

The city had requested $35 million in round-two grants to use in targeted areas to buy and rehab vacant houses and build homes in areas of the city hard hit by a high number of foreclosures.

City housing officials were disappointed at not getting any grant money in the second round, said John Bartholomew, spokesman for the Department of Metropolitan Development.

Of the newly awarded $1.93 billion in NSP funding, the top three state recipients are Florida, with $348 million; California, with $318 million; and Michigan, with $224 million.
--------------------
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201001150245/LOCAL/1150381

Hey, I was quoted in the IBJ this week regarding the skywalk system expansion: http://www.ibj.com/hotels-spark-expansion-of-downtown-skywalk-system/PARAMS/article/15789

Also, I got to write an op-ed in the Sunday Oregonian about Portland. As part of that I pulled the stats comparing Indy and Portland on a variety of metrics and we don't actually do that bad. In fact, we have lower unemployment and are creating more jobs. Our college degree attainment is even comparable. Fulls stats are on my blog homepage if you are interested.

On my flight back to DC a month ago, I snapped these pictures of downtown. I decided to keep them big so you can see everything easier. It's hard to spot at first. Looks so much smaller from the air - and LOS is definitely massive!

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z139/kcflood/DSCN6919.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z139/kcflood/DSCN6924.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z139/kcflood/citi2.jpg

In picture 1, where is all that steam/smoke coming from?

In picture 1, where is all that steam/smoke coming from?
It appears to be the SW side of the city. Given the size of the smoke cloud I'd say that's probably the Harding St power plant which is 1 of IPLs major plants

I thought that I would post this thought and let people consider what is implied in this statement. It was posted by Paul Kuharsky of ESPN on the AFC South Blog.

Yes, yes, I know you are surprised. As go the Colts, so goes Kuharsky.

And so I was up before dawn this fine morning, setting out for scenic Indianapolis, encouraged that the odds of a cheerleader convention with screaming adolescents downtown a second week in a row are small. (Surely they don't schedule them back-to-back, do they?)

I will join all the fine folks in the national media who lost rock-papers-scissors games or couldn't be trusted on expenses near Bourbon Street and drew Jets-Colts rather than Vikings-Saints.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

If all goes smoothly, I will check in from the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in a few hours and start to reflect on what's being said not long after that.

Now go do some work now so you've got time to read then.

It appears to be the SW side of the city. Given the size of the smoke cloud I'd say that's probably the Harding St power plant which is 1 of IPLs major plants

You are correct. I live about 3 miles south of the bottom of this photo off of 37.

Impressive shots.

I thought that I would post this thought and let people consider what is implied in this statement. It was posted by Paul Kuharsky of ESPN on the AFC South Blog.

It implies that given the choice between traveling to Indianapolis or New Orleans, Indianapolis is the less desirable. No impartial reader would disagree. The national media slights against Indy get tiresome, I agree, but do we really have to play the Outrage Game every time one appears?

http://www.ibj.com/shiel-sexton-plans-50m-project-near-methodist-hospital/PARAMS/article/15787

hey look maybe some of those nw downtown parking lots will be going away :)

No, this would be further north; outside the inner loop, north of I-65.

It implies that given the choice between traveling to Indianapolis or New Orleans, Indianapolis is the less desirable. No impartial reader would disagree. The national media slights against Indy get tiresome, I agree, but do we really have to play the Outrage Game every time one appears?

Plus, the football game (and subplots) might be better, regardless of the venue: Brett Favre grew up a Saints fan, an hour from the Superdome. Plus, given the teams matchups, it's really hard to predict the outcome of that game.

Less so with the Colts-Jets: no big sub-plots, no real contest. In the December game, Colts starters were beating their starters...who were only in the game because of a kick returned for a TD. Jets will have to get really lucky to win.

I think the sportswriter may have been channelling those sentiments, although he did include the gratuitous "hick" dig regarding the "Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center". Only Bob Lamey calls it that, and only because he has to. The rest of us call it "the Colts Complex".

Actual Score: Ravens 3 - Colts 20

On the way out of the game, I ran into a guy whose seats used to be near mine in the old dome. He said Baltimore fans are like the divorced guy in the bar who's still pissing and moaning about his divorce that happened 25 years ago...and he's been remarried for 10 years...

They need to get over it. After all, their stolen, er, recycled Cleveland Browns won the Super Bowl before our Colts did.

Wonder how many of the Ravens fans sneaked out of town at midnight on Mayflower vans? :cheers:

1000 jobs for EnerDel battery plant coming to Greenfield? Sounds like it:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100120/LOCAL07/1210306/Battery-maker-plans-large-Greenfield-plant

1000 jobs for EnerDel battery plant coming to Greenfield? Sounds like it:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100120/LOCAL07/1210306/Battery-maker-plans-large-Greenfield-plant

EnerDel is also planning an expansion or additional plant in Marion County:

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=39716&ts=true

The thing I don't quite get is that they keep announcing that they didn't get contracts with major automakers.

Meanwhile, Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota's captive battery supplier, are strategically tying up sources of lithium: http://in.reuters.com/article/consumerproducts-SP/idINSGE60J00K20100120

Parking lot variance for Trinitas got voted down
http://www.indystar.com/article/20100121/BUSINESS/1210467/1003/BUSINESS/Parking-plan-rejected

Parking lot variance for Trinitas got voted down
http://www.indystar.com/article/20100121/BUSINESS/1210467/1003/BUSINESS/Parking-plan-rejected

Interestingly, they had the support of the "inholding" homeowners (who all agreed to sell), and conditional support from DMD Staff in their report.

So we've got willing buyers, willing sellers, and agreeable City staff...and the BZA votes it down?

1000 jobs for EnerDel battery plant coming to Greenfield? Sounds like it:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100120/LOCAL07/1210306/Battery-maker-plans-large-Greenfield-plant


It's actually Mt. Comfort/Cumberland. But hey, at least its 1000 jobs

EnerDel is also planning an expansion or additional plant in Marion County:

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=39716&ts=true

The thing I don't quite get is that they keep announcing that they didn't get contracts with major automakers.

Meanwhile, Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota's captive battery supplier, are strategically tying up sources of lithium: http://in.reuters.com/article/consumerproducts-SP/idINSGE60J00K20100120


the article states that they will be making the batteries for Volvo

Oh, it is ON like donkey kong!

From New York Sports:

"It is of a grand tradition, during playoff week, to find reasons to hate the opposing team's city. (Witness our destruction of San Diego last week.) This is always a little easier when it's a geographic rival like Boston or Philadelphia, but for now, Indianapolis, home of the Colts, will have to do. So! Indianapolis! Your attempts to revitalize your downtown are proving ineffective at overcoming years of urban decay; your shifting attitude toward daylight savings makes it impossible to figure out what the hell time it ever is; your hastily constructed skyscrapers are so flimsy they can't stand up to wind; the Central Canal that runs through your city is a glorified stream; you're responsible for the hypocritical, exploitative monster that is the NCAA; you built a monorail, for cripes sake; your primary cultural moment was being where everybody lived on "One Day at a Time"; it is physically impossible to get a bite to eat in your town after 8:30 p.m.; and the only thing visiting teams' players say about your town is that it has unusually lawless strip clubs. Oh, and nobody cares about the Indy 500 anymore."

http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2010/01/you_know_whats_horrible_everyb.html#comment_list_bottom

Follow the link and Leave them a nice comment :-)

Oh, it is ON like donkey kong!

From New York Sports:

"It is of a grand tradition, during playoff week, to find reasons to hate the opposing team's city. (Witness our destruction of San Diego last week.) This is always a little easier when it's a geographic rival like Boston or Philadelphia, but for now, Indianapolis, home of the Colts, will have to do. So! Indianapolis! Your attempts to revitalize your downtown are proving ineffective at overcoming years of urban decay; your shifting attitude toward daylight savings makes it impossible to figure out what the hell time it ever is; your hastily constructed skyscrapers are so flimsy they can't stand up to wind; the Central Canal that runs through your city is a glorified stream; you're responsible for the hypocritical, exploitative monster that is the NCAA; you built a monorail, for cripes sake; your primary cultural moment was being where everybody lived on "One Day at a Time"; it is physically impossible to get a bite to eat in your town after 8:30 p.m.; and the only thing visiting teams' players say about your town is that it has unusually lawless strip clubs. Oh, and nobody cares about the Indy 500 anymore."

http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2010/01/you_know_whats_horrible_everyb.html#comment_list_bottom

Follow the link and Leave them a nice comment :-)
First off: don't feed this stuff.

Second of all: hahahahaha.....that is the most pathetic rip on Indy I've ever seen. It's like they weren't even trying.

Our canal is a glorified stream? Every canal is a glorified stream!

the article states that they will be making the batteries for Volvo

This article (http://www.technologyreview.com/business/22866/page2/) says, in part, "Volvo is working with multiple undisclosed battery manufacturers and has not yet finalized the vehicle's design". There's no press release from Volvo declaring that they'll be buying EnerDel batteries made in the US. At least not in the top 100 search results.

This article (http://www.businessinsider.com/volvo-checks-out-enerdel-batteries-2009-7) calls it only a test and mentions the niche manufacturers Think and Fisker: "Volvo (F) is testing batteries by Ener1 (HEV) subsidiary EnerDel for its plug-in hybrid offering.

Volvo will use the batteries as it conducts testing this fall in Europe. There's no word about the terms of this deal in the press release announcing the partnership.

In these early days of battery technology, every deal--or even possible deal--is crucial. So, this is very welcomed news for EnerDel. Of course, it's rocky times for Volvo, who could be sold tomorrow. If that happens, then who knows what happens.

EnerDel is also working with Fisker and Think on batteries for electric cars."

And this article (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/09/c30-bev-20090917.html) makes pretty clear that the end product is several years off:

"Volvo Working on Battery-Electric C30; EnerDel Li-ion Pack
17 September 2009

In addition to its planned market introduction of a plug-in hybrid in 2012 (earlier post), Volvo Cars is currently evaluating the viability of a fully battery-electric vehicle (BEV). This year, Volvo has built and been internally testing a small number of prototype versions of a BEV version of its C30. In addition to focusing on performance and safety, much of the focus is on integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car."

Bottom line: it seems a little out of scale that they would commit to hire 1000 people based on a test by Volvo and discussions with Smart and Fisker...all niche producers...for a product they may or may not commit to.

Here are a few more details from the WTHR Channel 13 story. Talks about making batteries for 60,000 cars. The good thing is - if 500 people qill be hired to make batteries for 60,000 cars -- how many more will be hired if they expand to produce batteries for 100,000 cars -- or 150,000 cars per year. Its good to be in toward the beginning of this effort - with good potential to keep growing.

EnerDel announces new facility in Hancock County
Posted: Jan 21, 2010 11:07 AM EST
Updated: Jan 21, 2010 6:38 PM EST
Video Gallery
EnerDel expansion
1:58

Indianapolis - One of the companies leading Indiana's future automotive industry is now opening a third plant and creating 500 new jobs. EnerDel makes lithium ion batteries for the next generation of hybrid and electric cars.

Gov. Mitch Daniels got an up-close and personal look at a new generation of transportation Thursday in the form of the Volvo C30 powered by a lithium ion battery. The battery is produced and manufactured at the EnerDel company's Indianapolis plant.

"Not only is this the birthplace for the electric drive industry but the future of the electric drive industry of the United States is right here on Hague Road," said Charles Gassenheimer, EnerDel.

Now the only facility of its kind in America is on the verge of becoming the first full production of lithium ion battery plant in the world and it's coming to Indiana.

"Enerdel has committed to invest $237 million in the state of Indiana for our third site," aid Gassenheimer.

The company has already purchased its new location in Hancock County.

The new leased plant near Mt. Comfort Road will produce battery packs for 600,000 hybrid vehicles or 60,000 electric cars. It will mean 500 new jobs, pushing the total expansion number to 1,400 jobs from the 41 jobs it started with in 2008.

"Our strategy of course is to go from company to company adding them steadily to the largest cluster of this potentially explosive business. I think we have a little lead on the field now and our goal is to stretch it," said Gov. Daniels.

"EnerDel has passionately believed that this product should be made in the US, that we should not trade our dependence on foreign oil for a dependence on foreign battery manufacture," said Gassenheimer.

While automotive is a big part of EnerDel's future, it may not be the biggest. The company is also exploring energy grid storage in Japan which has the potential to be another billion-dollar industry.

$118 million in federal stimulus grant money aided in this expansion along with nearly $70 million in state and local economic development incentives.

Here are a few more details from the WTHR Channel 13 story. Talks about making batteries for 60,000 cars. The good thing is - if 500 people qill be hired to make batteries for 60,000 cars -- how many more will be hired if they expand to produce batteries for 100,000 cars -- or 150,000 cars per year. Its good to be in toward the beginning of this effort - with good potential to keep growing.

Toyota sells about 350,000 Prius cars a year, and that's by far the market leader in hybrids. Volvo sold less than 500,000 cars worldwide in 2008, not significantly more than Prius.

Reading EnerDel's press release, their plant will supposedly have capacity for 600,000 hybrid or 60,000 plug-in batteries per year. (Hybrids have gasoline engines on board; plug-ins are full-electric cars that need charging stations.)

I'd be happy to be wrong, but put me in the "hopeful skeptic" column on this one. Volvo's present status is in question as Ford negotiates its sale to Geely of China. That could bode well if Geely adopts Volvo technology and name worldwide, but poorly if Volvo remains a niche car.

Second of all: hahahahaha.....that is the most pathetic rip on Indy I've ever seen. It's like they weren't even trying.

That was really bad, I can rip this city way harder and I love it. It seems like the writer visited downtown in 1992 and since has just seen articles written about our city.

FAIL

Oh, it is ON like donkey kong!

From New York Sports:

"It is of a grand tradition, during playoff week, to find reasons to hate the opposing team's city. (Witness our destruction of San Diego last week.) This is always a little easier when it's a geographic rival like Boston or Philadelphia, but for now, Indianapolis, home of the Colts, will have to do. So! Indianapolis! Your attempts to revitalize your downtown are proving ineffective at overcoming years of urban decay; your shifting attitude toward daylight savings makes it impossible to figure out what the hell time it ever is; your hastily constructed skyscrapers are so flimsy they can't stand up to wind; the Central Canal that runs through your city is a glorified stream; you're responsible for the hypocritical, exploitative monster that is the NCAA; you built a monorail, for cripes sake; your primary cultural moment was being where everybody lived on "One Day at a Time"; it is physically impossible to get a bite to eat in your town after 8:30 p.m.; and the only thing visiting teams' players say about your town is that it has unusually lawless strip clubs. Oh, and nobody cares about the Indy 500 anymore."

http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2010/01/you_know_whats_horrible_everyb.html#comment_list_bottom

Follow the link and Leave them a nice comment :-)

Seems kind of tongue in cheek to me. Kind of like a "your mama joke".

As near as I can tell, the region center design guidelines are merely another layer of regulations on top of the already multiple and botched layers we already have. Unless they replace the underlying problems with zoning, etc., it's just going to make it even harder to do business in Indy.

Exactly, many of the planners in DMD are fighting this battle every day - and losing. It's basically not much more than pretense.

I guess you're right. I don't remember seeing notice of a Regional Center hearing for the new Ivy Tech Multimodal Facility at 28th & Illinois or for the new Wishard Hospital. I can't remember if IUPUI filed for their new garage. All three would qualify under the "high impact" provisions of the MDC rules.

Wishard has a pending case; it is local, not state operated.

I'll def call the mayors action line.. I don't give a FF about parking, but 9pm when someone is banging on my door because my roommate or gf parked in what my neighbors think is "their spot" it's quite irritating.

one neighbor I told to take walk after calmly explaining it is a city street and you don't rent the parking spot. they wouldn't hear it.

the other is handicapped and I don't have the heart to refuse to move a car for her..

I've tried to get my housemates to just not park in front of her house, but I have friends over and etc. having a spot striped and signed would just be for the best..

I hate that I have to deal with a parking situation considering I walk and bike 98% of the time.

You all might want to take a gander at this section of the Indianapolis Code.

Sec. 621-117. Parking for longer than six hours restricted.
It shall be unlawful for the owner, driver or operator of any vehicle to park such vehicle, or to permit the vehicle to be parked or to stand, for a longer period than six (6) hours upon any street, alley, highway or other public place in the city, other than with the written consent of the owner or tenant of the property abutting the street, alley or place where the vehicle is parked; provided, however, this section shall not be deemed to permit the parking or standing of any vehicle in contravention of any other provision of this chapter or Code prohibiting, restricting or regulating the parking or standing of vehicles.
(Code 1975, § 29-263)

Interestingly, they had the support of the "inholding" homeowners (who all agreed to sell), and conditional support from DMD Staff in their report.

So we've got willing buyers, willing sellers, and agreeable City staff...and the BZA votes it down?


...agreeable city staff.. - read the whole report and you might realize that staff's recommendation made no sense (wonder why), as was politely pointed out by the BZA.

So is every one ready for the cast of the jersey shore to infiltrate our city? The jets are coming... Get ready.

^^ They've already preordered their T-shirts. A guy who calls himself The Situation would rock the shit out of this:

http://www.jetsshop.com/jets/images/D/03-276-l.jpg
Too bad these shirts will be on a boat to Haiti Monday morning.

Sec. 621-117. Parking for longer than six hours restricted.
It shall be unlawful for the owner, driver or operator of any vehicle to park such vehicle, or to permit the vehicle to be parked or to stand, for a longer period than six (6) hours upon any street, alley, highway or other public place in the city, other than with the written consent of the owner or tenant of the property abutting the street, alley or place where the vehicle is parked; provided, however, this section shall not be deemed to permit the parking or standing of any vehicle in contravention of any other provision of this chapter or Code prohibiting, restricting or regulating the parking or standing of vehicles.
(Code 1975, § 29-263)


That's interesting..most of the urban neighborhoods in Indy depend on street parking, but according to this if your parking space isn't directly adjacent to your property its illegal? Very strange.

I know there's a law stating that you cannot be parked on the street for more than a few days w/o moving the vehicle. I've called the mayors action line on abandoned cars before and they've come out and marked the car. If the car is still there in 3 days it's towed. This is the first that I've heard of the 6 hour rule. Outside of downtown I doubt this is enforced.

...agreeable city staff.. - read the whole report and you might realize that staff's recommendation made no sense (wonder why), as was politely pointed out by the BZA.

I did read it, both times.

DMD staff started out opposed then turned supportive. Maybe the BZA commenter thought DMD staff were damning with faint praise?

To me, (but keep in mind I read these reports a lot, and in depth) it seemed as if they were saying "oh, okay...the parking lot represents major land assembly and land-banking; single-family residential is not a good long-term use here; the proposal is better than the mishmash that's there now; and in 20-30 more years it'll be valuable enough redevelop again with buildings". And I don't find that a particularly bad line of thinking.

Oh, it is ON like donkey kong!

From New York Sports:

"It is of a grand tradition, during playoff week, to find reasons to hate the opposing team's city. (Witness our destruction of San Diego last week.) This is always a little easier when it's a geographic rival like Boston or Philadelphia, but for now, Indianapolis, home of the Colts, will have to do. So! Indianapolis! Your attempts to revitalize your downtown are proving ineffective at overcoming years of urban decay; your shifting attitude toward daylight savings makes it impossible to figure out what the hell time it ever is; your hastily constructed skyscrapers are so flimsy they can't stand up to wind; the Central Canal that runs through your city is a glorified stream; you're responsible for the hypocritical, exploitative monster that is the NCAA; you built a monorail, for cripes sake; your primary cultural moment was being where everybody lived on "One Day at a Time"; it is physically impossible to get a bite to eat in your town after 8:30 p.m.; and the only thing visiting teams' players say about your town is that it has unusually lawless strip clubs. Oh, and nobody cares about the Indy 500 anymore."

http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2010/01/you_know_whats_horrible_everyb.html#comment_list_bottom

Follow the link and Leave them a nice comment :-)

I guess NYC just let us kick their ass because they felt bad for us. :rofl:

When did NYC become so insecure?

Major Moves 465/69 is moving ahead. Snapped this from the North River Road bridge this morning... or that is what's left of it.

http://www.hustonstreetracing.com/gallery3/images/n_rr_1.jpg

Jason of Circle and Squares has a series of posts covering some proposed (and potentially devastating) changes in the IHPC appeals process:

Senate Bill 177 (http://circleandsquares.blogspot.com/2010/01/sb-177.html)
Response from Ben Hunter (http://circleandsquares.blogspot.com/2010/01/update-on-sb-177.html) (represents Irvington and is sponsoring the bill)
Response from Marsh Davis (http://circleandsquares.blogspot.com/2010/01/update-on-sb-177-again.html) (President of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana)

A Local Government Committee hearing on the proposed bill will be held tomorrow:

January 27
1:00pm
Room 130 in the Indiana Statehouse

http://indygo.net/routes.htm

Route updates announced for Feb 14th. A few too many "frequency reduction during peak." adjustments.

Check route 17 for new schedule design.

http://indygo.net/routes.htm

Route updates announced for Feb 14th. A few too many "frequency reduction during peak." adjustments.

Check route 17 for new schedule design.

IndyGo takes half a step forward with the Trip Planner, then five steps backward with this.

http://indygo.net/routes.htm

Route updates announced for Feb 14th. A few too many "frequency reduction during peak." adjustments.

Check route 17 for new schedule design.

Dang, I nearly lost it until I noticed they have a separate schedule for 17 and 17a. Fortunately the buses I take aren't affected, but regardless, not cool Indianapolis. Not cool at all.

In a couple of months, we're moving to a house that is a block away from the #3 line and a block away from the #8 line. With the #8 running at every 15 minutes at peak and the #3 running every 30, I was going to have 6 buses an hour to choose from. Almost like living in a city. Oh well, can we hope that the public GPS will be online soon to coordinate rides on this dramatically scaled back system?

EDIT: Actually, I take it back. The #8 does run at 15 minute intervals from 6:30 to 8 am and from 2:30 to 5:40 pm. Still, scaling the #3 back to every 40 is unfortunate.

In a couple of months, we're moving to a house that is a block away from the #3 line and a block away from the #8 line. With the #8 running at every 15 minutes at peak and the #3 running every 30, I was going to have 6 buses an hour to choose from. Almost like living in a city. Oh well, can we hope that the public GPS will be online soon to coordinate rides on this dramatically scaled back system?

EDIT: Actually, I take it back. The #8 does run at 15 minute intervals from 6:30 to 8 am and from 2:30 to 5:40 pm. Still, scaling the #3 back to every 40 is unfortunate.

I honestly don't understand why the 3 exists, it seems to be completely useless with the 8 and 10 running so frequently. It seems to be more useful on the west side..

Is there a better system map for all of indygo? The PDF is not detailed enough, but is a huge file so it loads weird as you zoom in/out and move around the map. Has anyone ever seen a google maps based system map, or just anything better than the huge detail lacking PDF?

http://www.indygo.net/PDF/maps/IndyGo_System_Map_English.pdf

so, i came upon this find the other day and had to post it here. baltimore's "power plant". how sweet would it be for indy to do something like this with the steam plant near the luke? i think i've seen this somewhere else too, columbus oh maybe? is the city even trying to get away from using that plant or is it basically going to be there scarring the skyline forever?

http://capitalretailgroup.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/baltimore-harbor-barnes-and-noble-80_4.jpg

so, i came upon this find the other day and had to post it here. baltimore's "power plant". how sweet would it be for indy to do something like this with the steam plant near the luke? i think i've seen this somewhere else too, columbus oh maybe? is the city even trying to get away from using that plant or is it basically going to be there scarring the skyline forever?

I disagree with the assertion that the plant is "scarring the skyline." Cities can't and shouldn't be all shiny glass towers. But to answer your question, no, the plant is not going anywhere in the foreseeable future. The steam it produces heats and cools most of downtown.

That thing in Baltimore is damn cool, though.

The Inner Harbor Power Plant is scarred by those awful signs. The Tate Modern is a much better reuse, in my opinion. As for the steam plant, I don't think it scars Indy's skyline at all. In fact, sad to say, but it's one of the more interesting parts of the skyline.

i personally like the building of the steam plant, which is why i think it would be cool to find a way to reuse it. especially with it's proximinty to lucas oil and the convention center.

i've just heard so many people from out of town ask about the "big ugly factory" that is right downtown, obscuring the view of the ballpark and football stadium. and as i said above, with the luke and convention center and all the development going on around there, that land has become a lot more valuable than it ever was.

also it sucks that our entire downtown is run on "steam" which really means that our entire downtown is run on coal...

oh and "cities can't and shouldn't be all shiny glass towers" true, but most modern downtowns don't have a giant hulking steam plant right in the middle of their major tourist area, either.

i personally like the building of the steam plant, which is why i think it would be cool to find a way to reuse it. especially with it's proximinty to lucas oil and the convention center.

i've just heard so many people from out of town ask about the "big ugly factory" that is right downtown, obscuring the view of the ballpark and football stadium. and as i said above, with the luke and convention center and all the development going on around there, that land has become a lot more valuable than it ever was.

also it sucks that our entire downtown is run on "steam" which really means that our entire downtown is run on coal...

oh and "cities can't and shouldn't be all shiny glass towers" true, but most modern downtowns don't have a giant hulking steam plant right in the middle of their major tourist area, either.
Yesterday 10:56 PM

Most of our electricity comes from coal, too, so shutting down the steam plant doesn't solve that problem. Besides that, district heating/cooling is far more efficient than localized alternatives. That said the plant could be converted to burn natural gas, but up to now I think that's been seen as cost-prohibitive. (I remember Citizen's having proposed a gas-burning steam plant for Speedway. Does anyone know what came of that?)

I wouldn't describe as being in the middle of a tourist area, and I don't think it obscures anything, but I like the building, and I probably see belching smokestacks and rumbling trains as a sign of economic and civic vitality. Folks with a more sanitized aesthetic are likely inclined to disagree.

As to land values, we've still got plenty of surface lots and fast food joints to develop.

Someone was asking about the other crane on the IUPUI campus (which is the Glick Eye Institute... I thikn eddie pointed that out). I got as close as I could without hopping the fence last night and snapped a couple photos. They dont capture the huge hole in the ground though... lots of concrete and rebar already laid down.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4310772843_85baccc185.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4310773337_83360dda68.jpg

10th and Penn because it is right next to Wishard, Roudebush, Midtown and near Horizon House. It is 1 mile from the central bus transfer station. It has stood vacant for 10 years, and that building needs $125-150K/unit in rehab. Hard to make that amount of rehab 'affordable' without heavy subsidy, and federal grants are limited for student housing. Chadwick will not work as high-end condos or rental because of the lack of parking--a sad but true reality of our market. Demo is not possible because the building is listed in the Historic Apartments of Indianapolis district.

Most folks don't even know a supportive projects from any other apartment community. Several supportive housing projects existed in St Joe neighborhood before its current revitalization. Blue Triangle (Penn and St Clair) was vacant for 20 years before being developed as supportive housing in 1995, and this project has not had a detrimental impact on the development of the neighborhood.

I lived in the Chadwick in the early 90's $250 per month for a studio. (They were all studios). That place was so infested with cockroaches. They came in once a month to spray. I HATED every day I lived there. I would like to see something happen with it.

Most of our electricity comes from coal, too, so shutting down the steam plant doesn't solve that problem. Besides that, district heating/cooling is far more efficient than localized alternatives. That said the plant could be converted to burn natural gas, but up to now I think that's been seen as cost-prohibitive. (I remember Citizen's having proposed a gas-burning steam plant for Speedway. Does anyone know what came of that?)

I wouldn't describe as being in the middle of a tourist area, and I don't think it obscures anything, but I like the building, and I probably see belching smokestacks and rumbling trains as a sign of economic and civic vitality. Folks with a more sanitized aesthetic are likely inclined to disagree.

As to land values, we've still got plenty of surface lots and fast food joints to develop.

I completely agree with everything Pig wrote, and couldn't have said it any better. :cheers:

Most of our electricity comes from coal, too, so shutting down the steam plant doesn't solve that problem. Besides that, district heating/cooling is far more efficient than localized alternatives. That said the plant could be converted to burn natural gas, but up to now I think that's been seen as cost-prohibitive. (I remember Citizen's having proposed a gas-burning steam plant for Speedway. Does anyone know what came of that?)

I wouldn't describe as being in the middle of a tourist area, and I don't think it obscures anything, but I like the building, and I probably see belching smokestacks and rumbling trains as a sign of economic and civic vitality. Folks with a more sanitized aesthetic are likely inclined to disagree.

As to land values, we've still got plenty of surface lots and fast food joints to develop.

not that it is any better for air quality, but half of the fuel for the downtown steam is solid waste, our trash.

My block clears their sidewalks entirely. There is a great guy that has a riding lawnmower with a plow and a few other residents (mostly the homeowners) clear the rest off. However, no one else follows suit.

Hell KIBI didn't even clear their sidewalks after the first snow.

I can understand side street taking a minute, but major thorough fairs should be cleared immediately and fines should be issued.

If I'm not riding my bike, I'm walking and taking the bus (by choice) and it's a rarity to see sidewalks clear anywhere. From the near eastside to meridian kessler.

It's pathetic. Especially with the pedestrian deaths happening recently. Being forced to walk in the street is a great way to disenfranchise the citizens of Indianapolis.

Either the city needs to hand out waterproof snow boots to all citizens, clear the sidewalks or start issuing fines to the citizens/businesses who aren't clearing.

John gets you guys too, eh? He comes and plows our alley. Owns the house next door as a rental. He knows I drive a small Yaris and comes over to plow the entire block's sidewalk and the alley. He's really an awesome guy.

Chicago to Cleveland HSR was turned down :(

http://www.ibj.com/federal-highspeed-rail-grants-exclude-big-indiana-proposal/PARAMS/article/16061

John gets you guys too, eh? He comes and plows our alley. Owns the house next door as a rental. He knows I drive a small Yaris and comes over to plow the entire block's sidewalk and the alley. He's really an awesome guy.

I'm sure he does it for the kids considering the two schools with in a couple block of each other. But yeah, we need more people like him.

Chicago to Cleveland HSR was turned down :(

http://www.ibj.com/federal-highspeed-rail-grants-exclude-big-indiana-proposal/PARAMS/article/16061

INDOT didn't bother to apply for Indy to Chicago/Cincy? Amazing. I guess I should have known that, but hadn't seen that anywhere.

They had applied for preliminary funds but rescinded after they didn't have a firm enough plan for it. Was a short time frame not enough plan deal. Sucks...

EDIT: Here is the full list of awards
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/hsr_awards_summary_public.pdf

The bottom line is that Indiana has been the least supportive state for high speed rail in the Midwest by a country mile. There is near zero political leadership for it outside of a handful of advocates in NWI.

I really believe that states like Indiana, that don't get on board with rail transit, will look back 20 years from now and realize they made a huge, strategic economic mistake. There is still time to get things going, but every year that goes by, puts the state and its cities at a disadvantage.

INDOT didn't bother to apply for Indy to Chicago/Cincy? Amazing. I guess I should have known that, but hadn't seen that anywhere.

Indiana focused on the NWI-Warsaw-Ft Wayne route in its application, in part because that route, which originates in Chicago and went on to Toledo and Cleveland was thought to have better ridership, and politically more palatable because it covered a wide swath of at least two states. The CHI-IND-CIN route was almost all Indiana, already has AMTRAK service, and "dead ends" high speed service in Cincy. The CHI-CLE route across northern Indiana would have returned service to several cities, and would have connected (eventually) Detroit to a high speed line that would have connected the major cities in the Great Lakes Megalopolis.

Absolutely ridiculous. Here the entire time I was excited for the 8billion because I was sure the lines would link with Indianapolis. A clear lack of clear foresight from INDOT.

The city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana do not surprise me at all at being so far behind other cities and states. I tend to wonder if the bigshots of the state all watch "Little House On The Prairie" all the time, and wish that television would have never went to color.

The city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana do not surprise me at all at being so far behind other cities and states. I tend to wonder if the bigshots of the state all watch "Little House On The Prairie" all the time, and wish that television would have never went to color.

Could some die-hard advocate of HSR make a cogent argument in favor of it without ever referring to (1) train speed, (2) time to Chicago, and (3) the "cool" factor?

It's not faster than air or car except from points within a few miles of the respective stations. It is unlikely to be cheaper. It is unlikely to be significantly greener considering first costs of building it from scratch.

I think the state's leadership is properly "conservative" in the sense that they would expect advantages (and potential paybacks) of large expenditures to be clearly stated and obviously compelling.

I'm NOT one of the state's leaders, but that's what I expect. And I have yet to see such an argument applied to the CHI-IND-CIN HSR line.

If you can't convince an open-minded urban advocate like me, how are you EVER going to convince the knee-jerk anti-Indy (anti-big city?) suburban/small town/rural majority in the Indiana Legislature?

Well, just like other trends, Indiana leaders are going to have to wait and see how it works for others. If the Chicago to Milwaukee and Madison starts a trend of outsourcing labor (ala Aaron's megaregions articles) then you may see a shift in opinion.

But like you said its not offering a large enough time savings. That said, on a local level, when rail becomes a reality (and we have to think at least at SOME point it will happen whether its 5 years or 20 years) then that will show the higher powers that there is at least a local commitment to improving transit.

When the federal transportation peoples can pull off 220mph though, then it will be a game changer.

Well, just like other trends, Indiana leaders are going to have to wait and see how it works for others. If the Chicago to Milwaukee and Madison starts a trend of outsourcing labor (ala Aaron's megaregions articles) then you may see a shift in opinion.

But like you said its not offering a large enough time savings. That said, on a local level, when rail becomes a reality (and we have to think at least at SOME point it will happen whether its 5 years or 20 years) then that will show the higher powers that there is at least a local commitment to improving transit.

When the federal transportation peoples can pull off 220mph though, then it will be a game changer.

Your argument certainly supports significant improvements to local transit in the near future...some streetcar or suburban rail, and a much improved IndyGo.

It never makes sense to me to talk about connecting a single station-point in Indy with Chicago's vast transit system via HSR until better local transit infrastructure is in place here. That is, unless the HSR station is at the airport where there is massive parking, taxi and rental-car infrastructure already in place. But why would the airport authority want to accommodate a significant competitor to the airlines' commuter planes?

Your argument certainly supports significant improvements to local transit in the near future...some streetcar or suburban rail, and a much improved IndyGo.

It has never makes sense to me to talk about connecting a single station-point in Indy with Chicago's vast transit system via HSR until better local transit infrastructure is in place here. That is, unless the HSR station is at the airport where there is massive parking, taxi and rental-car infrastructure already in place. But why would the airport authority want to accommodate a significant competitor to the airlines' commuter planes?
I'm not so sure you'd find an uninterested party if you contacted IND about having a HSR station. Given that revenue is down and IND's new CEO is very interested in diversifying and stabilizing the airport's revenue streams (http://cms.ibj.com/ASPXPages/6iframes/FrontEndArticlesDetailPage.aspx?ArticleID=43967&NoFrame=1), HSR is a good hedge in a down economy (assuming a HSR trip would be relatively cheaper than a flight). Assuming the HSR line stops in Lafayette, you could theoretically expand the reach of IND as well.

The only downside is partially cannibalizing flights to ORD. The vast majority of people only connect through ORD and the line wouldn't go directly there, so I don't think that would be a significant issue. EDIT: Besides, a HSR line would cannibalize flights to ORD no matter where the station is in Indy. The airport could deem it better to have the station at the airport so they can at least capture some revenue from the rail passengers.

I would not take HSR between Indianapolis and Chicago, because it would cost too much. I don't take the current Amtrak service, because it is way too slow. If they simply added nonstop service, I would take that, and I think a lot of other people would as well.

I agree that non-stop Amtrack from Indy to Chicago would be an option that I would take. However, when I can drive to Midway in 3 hours, park for less than 20 bucks, take the L into the city and stay...why take a train that is a 5+ hour trip?

I agree that non-stop Amtrack from Indy to Chicago would be an option that I would take. However, when I can drive to Midway in 3 hours, park for less than 20 bucks, take the L into the city and stay...why take a train that is a 5+ hour trip?
Not to mention that you have the inconvenience of having to depart Indy at 6:30am.

I agree that non-stop Amtrack from Indy to Chicago would be an option that I would take. However, when I can drive to Midway in 3 hours, park for less than 20 bucks, take the L into the city and stay...why take a train that is a 5+ hour trip?

And that is the very argument that no one is ever going to overcome until the point-to-point time for Indy-Lafayette-Loop is well under two hours...which it won't ever be at 79-110mph. Even at 180mph it would be something between 75 and 90 minutes considering a slowdown and stop in Boiler country.

I've written this before on Aaron's blog: the average Indy person is going to be at least 20 minutes by car from the HSR terminal. More like 30-45 if it's at the airport. Between driving, parking, ticketing and loading time, one would have to depart home at least an hour before departure time...vs. heading straight out onto I-65. The driver's at Lafayette before the train leaves.

The 110mph train won't pass the 75mph car on I-65 until both get close to the state line. (As Cory points out, it's not far to Midway and Chicago transit from there.) And even this assumes the inbound train magically flies over the freight-train backup in Da Region.

It doesn't seem like there's a way to justify massive public infrastructure investment just to cut an hour or 90 minutes off the trip to the Loop from Indy. If you really need to talk to or see someone THAT fast, there are these tools called "telephones" and "internet videoconferencing". :lol:

A rendering of the California St. Parking Garage under construction at IUPUI:

http://www.masterplan.iupui.edu/_Assets/californiaRotator/slide_02.jpg

At least it appears that they're going for something other than the standard concrete and 2x4s look of the other IUPUI garages.

I drive by the Keystone development on Madison and Terrace every day. They have a new building there with a BMV sign on it. I wonder if this replaces the one near Fountain Square?

I drive by the Keystone development on Madison and Terrace every day. They have a new building there with a BMV sign on it. I wonder if this replaces the one near Fountain Square?

Hopefully! The current space will end up being prime real estate along the cultural trail.

Site preparation has begun for Sarojo Commons, the 4-story, 30 apartment development to be built on the SE corner of St. Clair and Capitol:

http://www.ibj.com/blog/article?articleId=7273

I drive by the Keystone development on Madison and Terrace every day. They have a new building there with a BMV sign on it. I wonder if this replaces the one near Fountain Square?

My friend with the City told me about a year ago they were moving the Fountain Square BMV to a location on the southside. Sounds like it's a go!

A rendering of the California St. Parking Garage under construction at IUPUI:

http://www.masterplan.iupui.edu/_Assets/californiaRotator/slide_02.jpg

At least it appears that they're going for something other than the standard concrete and 2x4s look of the other IUPUI garages.

wow.. im impressed. put a cool lighting scheme on this and youve got a nice looking parking garage

wow.. im impressed. put a cool lighting scheme on this and youve got a nice looking parking garage
And you know what's funny about that? IUPUI will now have one of it's best garage designs on a garage specifically sited so that a "future building" (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=48620833&postcount=1132) will obscure it from view.

Is this a big deal?
http://www.indianadesigncenter.com/

I'm so used to something with the name "Indiana" in the title to be located in Indy, but this is in Carmel.

^^ Its a nice addition to Carmel's growing Arts and Design District. The building is pretty much done. Its probably in a good location for businesses in the interior design / furnishings business - surrounded by all of that money and strong growth.

On another note --- saw a good-sized sign up at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and McCarty (?) Street where the new residential building (with IMOCA on the second floor) is to be built. They're looking for tenants - and the sign says it is expected to be open by Summer of 2011. Hope they get started on it soon!

Congrats to the Urbanophile on his 3 page interview in NUVO. Good reading on the bus ride in to work.

Congrats to the Urbanophile on his 3 page interview in NUVO. Good reading on the bus ride in to work.

Yes, congratulations Aaron. Very cool. [Copies are in the mail. :)]

Thanks - the article doesn't seem to be online for some reason. I don't know if they'll add it or not, but I haven't actually gotten to read it yet myself as a result.

Its there. I just got done reading it.

Good job Aaron. The type of stuff we blog readers see everyday, spreading o the grassroots people that need to be reading it. Keep up the good work

Anyone see the Zipcar is opening their doors in Bloomington?

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/13303.html

Hope P.U.P. can get them onboard in Indy soon as well. I know they have been working towards it.

Could some die-hard advocate of HSR make a cogent argument in favor of it without ever referring to (1) train speed, (2) time to Chicago, and (3) the "cool" factor?

It's not faster than air or car except from points within a few miles of the respective stations. It is unlikely to be cheaper. It is unlikely to be significantly greener considering first costs of building it from scratch.



I'm with cdc guy on this one.

All too often I think his Number (3) becomes the tail that wags the dog. As much as the idea of HSR is appealing, I have to separate my pro-urban biases from the reality on the ground. I can't help but think that much of the mental atmosphere that propels HSR advocacy in this country is a Joneses approach, where people in the US feel the country has to "catch up" with Europe (or Indiana with the Midwest).

But is it really viable? I know this is a gross generalization, but keep in mind that most of the countries with strong High-Speed networks also have a much more centralized and authoritarian government than the average American in this heavily decentralized confederation would ever tolerate. If the past year has taught us anything, a significant number of Americans often value freedom even if it comes at the expense of the social stability that would likely accompany higher government control.

Thus, the car reigns supreme. Despite all of Ayn Rand's romanticizing efforts, the train appears to most Americans as an archaic mode of transit (as everyone has so well demonstrated on this thread with the Indy-Lafayette-Chicago scenario). Perhaps it was an anomaly, but one night I rode the Eurostar from Lille, France back to London and I pretty much had a train car to myself. The whole train was like that and it was the end of a weekend--8p on a Sunday night. France, Spain, and Germany, and Japan have some of the best rail networks in the world, but few American jobs are threatened by their infrastructure. They love their cars too. East China IS a clear threat and is developing truly breathtaking rail infrastructure, yet their citizens are not yet given the right to vote because they aren't culturally sophisticated enough or something like that.

I like most of what People for Urban Progress stands for, but I'm still waiting for the innovation that surpasses both the car AND rail.

I drive by the Keystone development on Madison and Terrace every day. They have a new building there with a BMV sign on it. I wonder if this replaces the one near Fountain Square?

Didn't the original Keystone rendering for this include more than just a single structure--at least a strip mall or something? As much as I'm glad to see the BMV leave Virginia Avenue (no doubt to open it for more development), it's sad that they've sacrificed a parcel that could easily have been another potentially strong urban node, providing some linkage for Sacred Heart and Bates-Hendricks. Both neighborhoods, while rough, are fully within the radar of urban pioneers.

@ American Dirt

It's sad we dropped the ball and it has nothing to do with current viability or American independence. Americans are smart and do want the newest and best technology, such as HSR. We could have made Indianapolis the main hub in a major infrastructure project... And bring new businesses to town. It's not about today, but 50 years from now.

I think the arguments against it do win out.

First and foremost in my mind is the fact that we have little public transport infrastructure set up right now. An improved IndyGo may be all we need, but without that, people coming into Indianapolis or leaving from Indianapolis still have to find some way around.

And the second is Something Aaron has said before. And that is that this for of "HSR" aka 70-110mph trains, could really turn the American people off to the whole idea of HSR. They hear HSR and think Europe, but what they are going to get is nothing at all compared to Europe and be disappointed. Then they will ask why we spent the billions of dollars on it. And next time the government comes and says we want to spend more billions to improve it, people will not get on board (no pun intended). I think what should happen now is the $8 billion or whatever it is should be spent on building a couple key corridors to the 200mph level. People will accept this as money well spent, and over time more and more of the country will be connected with this type of train. Instead of doing what we are dong now trying to get as much area done but doing halfway.

The commuter rail thread may be a better place to have this discussion, or the midwest HSR thread. I know it is boring around here development wise lately. Is the cosmo open? It has a sign that says now open but i dont see alot of activity over there. Wondering if it was just too expensive, or if people didnt know about it, or if the fire had spooked people. It looks like it is still a construction zone which would detour me from wanting to live there, but if it is open... it looks like a ghosttown. They are putting the facade up at 34 north meridian. The old apartment building that I believe is at 35th and meridian is now up for sale again. Guessing their redevelopment plans fell through- that building has a lot of potential, and plenty of parking around back...looks kind of like a hospital though. Other than that....pretty boring around here IMO.

The commuter rail thread may be a better place to have this discussion, or the midwest HSR thread. I know it is boring around here development wise lately. Is the cosmo open? It has a sign that says now open but i dont see alot of activity over there. Wondering if it was just too expensive, or if people didnt know about it, or if the fire had spooked people. It looks like it is still a construction zone which would detour me from wanting to live there, but if it is open... it looks like a ghosttown.
The Cosmo has been open for a matter of weeks. If it doesn't fill up fairly quickly I'd be shocked. The Waverley is hitting essentially the exact same price point at a notably inferior location and they're full and expanding. I wouldn't expect any problems with the Cosmo.

Now, they will need to work hard on the retail component. I expect that to be a tough sell for a while.

The commuter rail thread may be a better place to have this discussion, or the midwest HSR thread.

I was actually hoping to provoke a little debate on the whole TOD idea, which does rightly belong here.

No one made the "promotes and reinforces urban density" argument, when IMO that's one of the best ones for all modes of public transit.

Eddie, only a certain segment of people always want the newest, coolest toys...and I'd wager that the early-adopter phenomenon is lower in Indiana than most other places. It could be our basic conservatism or our lack of young rich people. (Not to say that we don't have rich people here, but most are not young techies or finance whizzes keeping up with the Joneses.)

Article on MSN today about Snow Removal Etiquette in the Northeast. Thought it was interesting because of the recent discussions here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35312588/ns/us_news-washington_post/page/2/

Article on MSN today about Snow Removal Etiquette in the Northeast. Thought it was interesting because of the recent discussions here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35312588/ns/us_news-washington_post/page/2/

On my walk downtown today more sidewalks were clear than the last snow. It was inconsistent, but surprising to see the single family homes with clear sidewalks.

KIBI did NOT clear their sidewalks, which I found to be pathetic.

I was downtown on Saturday after the big Friday snowstorm. Had to go to IUPUI and their sidewalks were DRY they were maintained so well. The rest of downtown was in good shape. the further from the CBD I got though, the worse it got.

But downtown... very walkable

Hey Aaron, it was nice to hear you on Chicago Public Radio yesterday. Made some great points!

Indystar poll on the mass transit plan:

http://www2.indystar.com/marmot/view/poll/52/new

Thanks, IndyYeah.

On my walk downtown today more sidewalks were clear than the last snow. It was inconsistent, but surprising to see the single family homes with clear sidewalks.

KIBI did NOT clear their sidewalks, which I found to be pathetic.

I know someone who works at KIBI. Should I mention something to her?

http://www.indyconnect.org/index.htm

whoa.

I know someone who works at KIBI. Should I mention something to her?

I tweeted at them the last time.. and they ended up clearing the walk. It just doesn't make any sense, especially with the foot traffic in Fountain Square. There is nothing beautiful about people walking the in middle of the street.

http://www.indyconnect.org/index.htm

whoa.

That video (http://www.indyconnect.org/videos.htm) is very well done.

That video (http://www.indyconnect.org/videos.htm) is very well done.

It's a shame it's such a pain/impossible to share.

If anyone knows anyone involved in this website/project, they should rectify that ASAP. It needs to be as easy to share and embed as possible.

I tweeted at them the last time.. and they ended up clearing the walk. It just doesn't make any sense, especially with the foot traffic in Fountain Square. There is nothing beautiful about people walking the in middle of the street.

True. That isn't the safest street to be walking on either.

It's a shame it's such a pain/impossible to share.

If anyone knows anyone involved in this website/project, they should rectify that ASAP. It needs to be as easy to share and embed as possible.

I'll snag the video and upload it to youtube.

UPDATE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu_F5XxFcWM

should finish processing soon.

It never makes sense to me to talk about connecting a single station-point in Indy with Chicago's vast transit system via HSR until better local transit infrastructure is in place here.

That's like saying I-65 should never have been built between Chicago and Indy because the local road network could not accommodate the increased traffic an expressway would bring.

A direct, high speed rail connection between Indy and Chicago would spur local transit development in Indianapolis just as the construction of the interstate spurred improvements to local road networks.

But is it really viable? I know this is a gross generalization, but keep in mind that most of the countries with strong High-Speed networks also have a much more centralized and authoritarian government than the average American in this heavily decentralized confederation would ever tolerate. If the past year has taught us anything, a significant number of Americans often value freedom even if it comes at the expense of the social stability that would likely accompany higher government control.



No, this past year taught us that there are a lot of batshit insane racists in this country.

The people of Western Europe have just as much, if not more political freedom than Americans.

The U.S. used to be a country that could get things done, and it still can. It built the interstate highway system, a massive freight rail network, and huge airports.

That's like saying I-65 should never have been built between Chicago and Indy because the local road network could not accommodate the increased traffic an expressway would bring.

A direct, high speed rail connection between Indy and Chicago would spur local transit development in Indianapolis just as the construction of the interstate spurred improvements to local road networks.

No, it's like saying I-65 was built to connect the already-serviceable local road networks with a high-speed, limited-access link...which is exactly what happened.

We already have two fast ways between Indy and Chicago, and both can haul freight. We also have a slow way, existing rail.

There is no current economic justification for fast rail for people only. Now if Fed Ex and USPS and UPS wanted a couple of HSR cars every hour to replace jets to O'Hare, that might begin to make sense.

Now if Fed Ex and USPS and UPS wanted a couple of HSR cars every hour to replace jets to O'Hare, that might begin to make sense.

Thats exactly the kind of public and private partnership that most people can wrap their brain around. Creating those partnerships needs to come from good public planning and organization, at least to get the ball rolling. There have to be quite a few businesses that could utilize HSR between Indy and Chi in some capacity, but finding those businesses and putting together a cohesive proposal for all of them is where it gets complicated. The businesses would undoubtedly not be able to subsidize the commuter side 100%, but it is much better than nothing.

Quick ideas:

I wish that airlines were more profitable... (crack pot idea) then there might be a possibility to get a carrier with an aging commuter fleet to jump at HSR partnership to create a train/plane package to ride to indy/chi and fly out instead of connecting flights. I know people could do that on their own, but an annual contract with an air carrier could be guaranteed cash flow for the HSR line.

Corporate partnerships for advertising in stations and on trains could also be considered. Direct advertising investment, like what we see inside of Lucas Oil could help. It seems like in most cities the advertising is limited to small boards (through an advertising company who cuts into revenues) and possibly naming rights. Why not let a major company become a long term sponsor/investor and cut out companies like clear channel. Clean energy companies would probably like the chance to be associated with an environmentally sound enterprise.

In the current economy universities are not rolling in cash like they usually are, but get IU, IUPUI, Purdue, and University of Chicago/Northwestern/??? on board. If nothing else it might open up an opportunity to secure more federal dollars and help improve the universities.

There might be some way to create a multiple city convention concept for large conventions that might only need one main event to have all convention goers present. Say a motor sports convention that has all of one class of racing in chi and another in indianapolis. Chicago which is 3rd in conventions + Indianapolis which is in the top 20 could attract some of the largest shows. (really reaching on this one)

Here's a high quality, embeddable version of the video:

http://www.vimeo.com/9363246

It's available there in high def too - looks great in full screen mode.

Some good articles in the IBJ this week:

Census expected to show Hamilton County tops in coveted demographics
http://www.ibj.com/census-expected-to-show-hamilton-county-tops-in-coveted-demographics/PARAMS/article/16395

Clarian, IU plan $100M neurosciences center
http://www.ibj.com/clarian-iu-plan-100m-neurosciences-center/PARAMS/article/16394

Local convention activity warming up during winter months
http://www.ibj.com/local-convention-activity-warming-up-during-sluggish-winter-months/PARAMS/article/16337

Quick hits: Comparing tourism in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio
http://www.ibj.com/ext/resources/pdf/2010/QuickHits-021510.pdf

And a great profile of Nikki Sutton:
http://www.ibj.com/style-interior-designer-nikki-sutton-makes-a-name-for-herself-/PARAMS/article/16388

Looks there are even more good ones, but they are subscriber only. Maybe a good week to pick up the paper.

Some good articles in the IBJ this week:

Census expected to show Hamilton County tops in coveted demographics
http://www.ibj.com/census-expected-to-show-hamilton-county-tops-in-coveted-demographics/PARAMS/article/16395

Quick hits: Comparing tourism in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio
http://www.ibj.com/ext/resources/pdf/2010/QuickHits-021510.pdf



Thanks for bringing these to our attention. Mayor Brainerd says all the right things--I'd love to know how many are true. Does anyone here know if Carmel has any affordable housing provisions, or if it has passed any ordinances on lot sizes/rental units/housing construction material? I remember reading that they were considering a controversial ordinance forbidding vinyl siding, but I never followed up to see if it passed.



I'm also amazed by the Columbus/Indianapolis visitor numbers. Do they really have more than twice as many annual visitors--even considering the Indy 500? Perhaps if Columbus counts all the Ohio State ballgames?

Clarian, IU plan $100M neurosciences center
http://www.ibj.com/clarian-iu-plan-100m-neurosciences-center/PARAMS/article/16394

This is huge. The full development would almost connect the Methodist campus to the Clarian Labs at the north end of the canal. It would also help activate the chunk of the Bio-sciences redevelopment area bounded by Illinois, I-65, and 16th and should lead to further redevelopment in the 1400-1500 blocks of Capitol, Illinois and Meridian.

I'm also amazed by the Columbus/Indianapolis visitor numbers. Do they really have more than twice as many annual visitors--even considering the Indy 500? Perhaps if Columbus counts all the Ohio State ballgames?

The OSU football numbers would just about wash with the Colts. OSU plays fewer home games but has a bigger stadium. And OSU basketball combined with their NHL team probably balance the Pacers and Big 10 tourneys.

I honestly don't see how they could outdraw the combination of the Indiana State Fair and four big races (500, 400, MotoGP, NHRA US Nationals), plus our frequent NCAA sectionals, regionals, and final fours with just their state fair alone, though. And all their museums combined probably don't touch The Children's Museum, IMA, State Museum, and Eiteljorg.

Perhaps Indy's consultants make more conservative assumptions about local attendance, and perhaps C'bus counts every click on the turnstiles as "tourist".

Carmel did not ban vinyl siding. What Brainard says is that in his administration, the city has allowed far more apartments to be constructed, which has reduced rents and expanded the supply of housing that affordable in some sense. His claim was that prior to his election it had been nearly 20 years or something since the city had approved any apartment development with over 12 units. You'd have to judge for yourself.

those Columbus #'s just don't add up....

Are there any good videos on youtube or anywhere else that show how cool Indy is to visit or live? Thanks:)

http://visitindy.com/indianapolis/web/jsp/podcast/podcast.jsp?channel=9295145&p=1

^^ There's a whole bunch of videos on the Indpls Convention and Visitors Assn web site. A large series of videos has been put together over the past few years called "Doing Indy". The link above shows a few of the more recent ones. There were a lot of them from previous years that showed more cool things to do. This link brings you to some of the more recent videos - from "Season 4". The link to "The Canal and White River State Park" shows a pretty cool place. If you start looking at these - you might be able to begin finding additional links to some of the others put together in previous years. I liked a lot of the earlier ones from Seasons 1 and 2. Lots of out of the way, interesting places. Occassionally - some of the "hosts" are a little dorky - but still there's a lot to see. You could spend a few days looking at all of these videos. There are probably over 200 in total. Hope this gives you a little more insight into things going on in Indy.

Are there any good videos on youtube or anywhere else that show how cool Indy is to visit or live? Thanks:)

Why don't you come on over and make your own? It's only about four and a half hours from Wheeling to Indy. I'm sure that you'd get plenty of ideas if you ask us nicely. :)

I did not know that Indy has a Roller Derby going! Cool!

Why don't you come on over and make your own? It's only about four and a half hours from Wheeling to Indy. I'm sure that you'd get plenty of ideas if you ask us nicely. :)

I know I have been going to Indy for a decade now starting at 18yrs old and I go pretty often. Actually I can make it back at night in 4hrs 20min LOL. I was there once in September and 3 times in October. I have always been fascinated with this city and have been trying to get over there again, but this damn snow is unreal. I was trying to find a video that sums up the city and region in general so I can show it to others. My friends and others ask why I like it there so much. I will add more later to this conversation soon. I am really tired today since I have had lack of sleep and have been really busy for the last 6 days or so. I am definately going to sleep early. Hope you Hoosiers have a nice evening.:) Thanks

IndyYeah, there are two roller derby teams here in Indy that I know of. The Naptown Roller Girls and the Circle City Socialites. I actually got to shoot photos at the Halloween bout for the Socialites. It was my first. damn hard to photograph in crumby light, but the event itself was a lot of fun. :)

TIGER grants are in. Indy got $20 million for bike/ped improvements. Indiana also got $20M for Madison-Milton Bridge

TIGER grants are in. Indy got $20 million for bike/ped improvements. Indiana also got $20M for Madison-Milton Bridge

Looks like that $20m goes directly to the Cultural Trail?

I guess Hoosier Heritage didnt get their money for track improvement along the NE Corridor then?

I havent seen the release yet...

The money for the Madison Milton bridge will be well spent though!! That thing needs some help...

http://www.dot.gov/documents/finaltigergrantinfo.pdf

Man, there are some substantial projects getting good money on that list

EDIT: Ben, scroll to page 27 of the pdf. Its cultural trail :)

Looks like that $20m goes directly to the Cultural Trail?

Looks that way. I thought the original budget was $55million, of which 42m was already raised. So this increase to probably fully funds the extension to the Convention Center and LOS on Capitol with an additional $7.5million.

I would like to see additional funding go toward hooking the Cultural Trail to the Fall Creek Trail at 10th & Indiana, and to Pleasant Run Trail on Shelby. Then it would actually be the hub of the City's trail system.

I know for a fact there is interest in some sort of extension along Shelby to link with the Pleasant Run Trail. Not sure whether this grant will have anything to do with it.

I must say, I remain very troubled at the limited number of private donations the Cultural Trail received apart from the Glicks. The absence of the Lilly Endowment is particularly baffling. I'm glad the trail is getting done, but if the community doesn't recognize the value of it enough to really support it, that's a very bad sign for the community.

Looks that way. I thought the original budget was $55million, of which 42m was already raised. So this increase to probably fully funds the extension to the Convention Center and LOS on Capitol with an additional $7.5million.

I would like to see additional funding go toward hooking the Cultural Trail to the Fall Creek Trail at 10th & Indiana, and to Pleasant Run Trail on Shelby. Then it would actually be the hub of the City's trail system.

http://www.ibj.com/cultural-trail-snags-205-million-stimulus-boost-/PARAMS/article/18156

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail has been awarded $20.5 million in federal stimulus funds, which will be used for construction on the remaining 4.5 miles of the project, officials announced Wednesday.

The federal contribution brings the total amount of money raised to fund the trail to $62.5 million, exceeding the original fund-raising goal of $55 million. The additional $7.5 million will enable the city to upgrade infrastructure during construction of the trail, which should be completed by the end of 2011.

^^

I went to the press conference. They said that they're finding that most of the roads along the trail need substantial repair. The extra money will go to infrastructure rebuilding above and beyond the trail itself. I think we should expect to see every road along the trail to look perfectly new, much like Alabama St. does/did.

I must say, I remain very troubled at the limited number of private donations the Cultural Trail received apart from the Glicks. The absence of the Lilly Endowment is particularly baffling. I'm glad the trail is getting done, but if the community doesn't recognize the value of it enough to really support it, that's a very bad sign for the community.

The Endowment doesn't seem like they want to be a visible leader in shaping the city's look and feel any more. They contributed substantially to the Hoosier Dome/Convention Center construction in the 80's...a key part of the sports strategy. But that led to a "Lilly White" backlash in the minority community, and a decreased emphasis by the Endowment on big-ticket bricks-and-sticks stuff.

But the lack of a major publicized gift to The Cultural Trail (or any significant trail segment in town) is puzzling.

Likewise, they should be behind the east-west light rail line, which will have tremendous community-development impact on the near east and near west sides of town; support for an expanded and improved IndyGo would benefit low-income folks too.

That would be nice. If you drive by where they rip out the street to put the new curbs the pavement is in VERY poor shape.

Airport ready to embark on redevelopment plan (http://www.ibj.com/airport-ready-to-embark-on-redevelopment-plan/PARAMS/article/18142)

One of my patented "oh, no, he did NOT write that" ideas:

Move the police, criminal courts and jails to the old terminal building. That gets the three jail facilities out of the Market Square neighborhood and makes redevelopment there far more doable.

Since there's plenty of parking in those humongous garages and surface lots, if this is done in conjunction with the east-west light rail line, access from Center Township shouldn't be any problem...and the place is already set up to deal with security.

I know for a fact there is interest in some sort of extension along Shelby to link with the Pleasant Run Trail. Not sure whether this grant will have anything to do with it.

I must say, I remain very troubled at the limited number of private donations the Cultural Trail received apart from the Glicks. The absence of the Lilly Endowment is particularly baffling. I'm glad the trail is getting done, but if the community doesn't recognize the value of it enough to really support it, that's a very bad sign for the community.

Arenn, while it is not unprecedented for the Lilly Endowment to fund a capital project, the recent efforts of the Endowment have been focused on education, building community foundations/encouraging philanthropy, and improving and expanding religious ministries and outreach.

Moreover, I think the Endowment is concerned that it is always looked to for support of public assets and services which should be either taxpayer funded or supported by broad-based community donations. For example, the Endowment currently props up the Parks Dept., and while the money is appreciated, I don't think the Endowment or anyone else thinks this is a healthy arrangement.

Move the police, criminal courts and jails to the old terminal building. That gets the three jail facilities out of the Market Square neighborhood and makes redevelopment there far more doable.

Since there's plenty of parking in those humongous garages and surface lots, if this is done in conjunction with the east-west light rail line, access from Center Township shouldn't be any problem...and the place is already set up to deal with security.

Putting that stuff somewhere out of the way would be nice, but not practical. The old terminal really isn't that big, having the jail way out on one side of town would create logistical problems, and I doubt the lawyers who have offices downtown would approve.

Putting that stuff somewhere out of the way would be nice, but not practical. The old terminal really isn't that big, having the jail way out on one side of town would create logistical problems, and I doubt the lawyers who have offices downtown would approve.

Too much of everyone's life today is lived in fear of what lawyers will do.
(The airport could probably accommodate lawyers' offices too, and most of them don't live near work anyway.) There's way more to the airport terminal buildings than you ever saw. Plus...one or two levels of the garage and/or those giant drive-up structures could be converted to jail space.

It's really 19th-century thinking that centralizes the law-and-justice complex at the county courthouse in the center of the county seat. There's a certain efficiency of courts and jails being close together, but no real overriding reason why they must be in a particular spot

The reason for having the jail in a central location is just as valid today as it was in the 19th century: arrestees have to be taken there from throughout the county. Obviously, one side of the county to the other isn't an all-day trip anymore, but the jail wagon having to make that trip is still inefficient.

Anyway, I won't drone on, since we're going to be stuck with the jail right where it is regardless. :ohno:

You guys see this? When the underground transformer blew the lights in our office flickered and the fire alarm tripped. I heard what sounded like thunder. I am on the 12th floor of the Regions Tower. My wife got trapped on an elevator for several minutes. I believe this was caused by the back-up generator kicking on. http://www.indystar.com/article/20100217/LOCAL/100217028/Blast-sparks-Downtown-fire

http://photos.indystar.com/photos/2010/2/17/355480/show.jpg

Saw the billowing black smoke from my work window. It looked really, really bad. Very lucky that nobody was injured.

IndyYeah, there are two roller derby teams here in Indy that I know of. The Naptown Roller Girls and the Circle City Socialites. I actually got to shoot photos at the Halloween bout for the Socialites. It was my first. damn hard to photograph in crumby light, but the event itself was a lot of fun. :)

Thanks. I want to take my kids to a Roller match, and a Pacers game in March. Quite sure I can get a ticket for a Pacers game, need to find the best place to park my pickup. Always wanted to go to Canseco, but man, my kids would love a Roller Derby!:banana:

Thanks. I want to take my kids to a Roller match, and a Pacers game in March. Quite sure I can get a ticket for a Pacers game, need to find the best place to park my pickup. Always wanted to go to Canseco, but man, my kids would love a Roller Derby!:banana:

There is a plethora of parking near Conseco Fieldhouse. You don't even need to park in a garage, there is usually free street parking within a couple blocks available.

According to J.D. Powers and Associates, Indianapolis International Airport ranks 1st in customer satisfaction.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100218/BUSINESS/100217036/Indy-airport-ranks-1st-in-user-satisfaction

"We found that Indianapolis ranked highest in both the small category of airports with fewer than 10 million passengers a year and also highest overall in the entire study. And that's up from a tie for 13th in the previous study two years ago," said Stuart Greif, vice president and general manager of global hospitality for J.D. Power."

Full rankings can be found at www.jdpower.com.

I went to a Naptown Roller Girls Derby this past November and it was a lot of fun...the Colliseum was packed and was surprised to learn that a lot of people take that shit seriously!!

According to J.D. Powers and Associates, Indianapolis International Airport ranks 1st in customer satisfaction.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100218/BUSINESS/100217036/Indy-airport-ranks-1st-in-user-satisfaction

"We found that Indianapolis ranked highest in both the small category of airports with fewer than 10 million passengers a year and also highest overall in the entire study. And that's up from a tie for 13th in the previous study two years ago," said Stuart Greif, vice president and general manager of global hospitality for J.D. Power."

Full rankings can be found at www.jdpower.com.

I can definitely believe that! I flew into Indianapolis a few days before Christmas this year and was astonished at how wonderful everything was. I felt like I was in some "home for the holidays" style chick flick. The giant tree, choir, small strings section, people everywhere but it wasn't crowded... In the moment I stopped to take a second to be happy that this was my home airport! Not a place that I fly into and wish it were in Indy! It is big enough but it still maintains its intimate feel. I also love that it has its open ceilings like a rail station would have. Now all it really needs is some rail to connect it to the city!

Well this is exciting! I know its early, but at least Indy will be attempting to lead.

http://www.ibj.com/plugin-electric-vehicle-demonstration-to-begin-in-indianapolis/PARAMS/article/18185#video

I had lunch Tuesday with a federal government lawyer who flew to IND. He was talking about it, unsolicited, and raving about the terminal. He said he's going to have to book a flight for he and his wife to fly to Indianapolis just so she can see the terminal! Great news.

I love hearing things like this.

We were in Orlando the week of Christmas visiting DisneyWorld and talked to someone from Texas. Upon telling him that we lived in Indy, he said that he has been here a few times, and said it is one of the cleanest cities he has ever been to.

Always nice to hear these sort of comments from visitors

I went to a Naptown Roller Girls Derby this past November and it was a lot of fun...the Colliseum was packed and was surprised to learn that a lot of people take that shit seriously!!

Yeah, I am on the web sites figuring out which team is which, and what the whole thing is about. I feel I will laugh my ass off, and be amazed at the seriousness of the whole thing as well.

We are seeing Steak & Shake ads here in Chicago that are filmed in DT Indianapolis. People are being interviewed on Mass Ave, with the downtown high-rises in the background. I think the ads were filmed right in front of the offices of Steak & Shake's ad agency.

We are seeing Steak & Shake ads here in Chicago that are filmed in DT Indianapolis. People are being interviewed on Mass Ave, with the downtown high-rises in the background. I think the ads were filmed right in front of the offices of Steak & Shake's ad agency.

I've seen some here in Indy, but the skyline shot is so fleeting that I haven't been able to triangulate the position.

We are seeing Steak & Shake ads here in Chicago that are filmed in DT Indianapolis. People are being interviewed on Mass Ave, with the downtown high-rises in the background. I think the ads were filmed right in front of the offices of Steak & Shake's ad agency.

I saw that being filmed, and saw the commercial when I was in a hotel in St. Louis. That was kinda neat.

Since it is still fresh in everyone's mind, I thought I would promote a recent post by the Transport Politic.

http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/02/19/despite-federal-investment-ohio-3c-corridor-under-threat-from-state-republicans/

the 3C Ohio Rail plan is under fire from the GOP. They have some valid arguments, and the politic even agrees with them on the surface, but makes some convincing arguments about progress in light of slow beginnings.

I thought that this was an excellent opinion piece on why even though rail is starting slow, its at least a start. It underscores how much of a shift of opinion there is to overcome when it comes to moving people via rail in such a car centered society.

I might repost my comment from that article:

The 3C route is an artifact of state geography, not a rail corridor that would ever have been planned on its own. It’s a political project to connect the three largest cities in a single state, nothing more.

Why not connect any three similar sized cities? How about a St. Louis-Indianapolis-Cincinnati line? Or a St. Louis-Indianapolis-Detroit line? If those cities were in the same state, you can believe there would be one. Similarly, if the the 3C’s – which are radically different from each other – were in separate states, no one would even be talking about linking them.

I've seen some here in Indy, but the skyline shot is so fleeting that I haven't been able to triangulate the position.

It was shot at the corner of Alabama and Mass, I walked by them filming the commercial on my way to work one morning last year.

Found via urbanindy's page, the parking issue rears its head stopping YET ANOTHER devlopment from progressing...

http://www.ibj.com/property-lines/2010/02/19/parking-hangup-slows-renovation-of-blighted-apartment-building/PARAMS/post/18237

Found via urbanindy's page, the parking issue rears its head stopping YET ANOTHER devlopment from progressing...

http://www.ibj.com/property-lines/2010/02/19/parking-hangup-slows-renovation-of-blighted-apartment-building/PARAMS/post/18237

I was talking about this project with someone I know, and he said "if you look at an aerial, it's just SURROUNDED by surface parking". The problem is that none of the adjacent property owners are willing to share. Almost all of them spoke in opposition at the hearing.

Not mentioned in Cory Schouten's blog post is that Riley will rehab the building using low-income housing tax credits, which will require all the apartments to be rented to people at or below 80% of AMI (that's $38,150 for a single person) with a significant portion reserved for people at or below 60% ($28,650).

Meanwhile, the worst building on Meridian between Monument Circle and I-465 just sits and rots.

I dont get people in this town. When it comes to improving the landscape for everyone, no one will pony up. I dont mean people "just getting by" not ponying up, I mean people who have things to spare that just wont. Its the same argument people use about not paying for mass transit. Or not paying for any public betterment. I tell you one thing, if I owned property next to that hulking mess, I would donate a little to make sure it got fixed up. Its a pretty simple matter of pride in your town. I mean, it could be a lot worse than we have it in Indy...

Found via urbanindy's page, the parking issue rears its head stopping YET ANOTHER devlopment from progressing...

http://www.ibj.com/property-lines/2010/02/19/parking-hangup-slows-renovation-of-blighted-apartment-building/PARAMS/post/18237

Thats crazy... I almost bought that building back in 2006. The project fell apart for me because it had no parking and I could not get a long term lease and an option on a portion of the parking lot just to the north that was then used by the Girl Scouts.

There are some rather large utility/storage rooms on the east side of the basement that I was trying to figure out how to turn into a garage area. There was not enough room to pour a ramp so that fell apart quickly.

The place is in horrible condition. Everything needed to be scrapped, aside from the actual exterior walls and some of the floor joists. The previous owner didn't put a new roof on it for years and really caused a lot of damage which made the rehab much more costly than it should have been. When I did my walkthrough I went up on the roof through a hatch (that didn't have a door) and there were multiple places where the crumbling old rubber roof had torn and was flapping in the wind.

In general the existing spaces in the building are 500 sqft per apartment. My plan was to combine them in sets of two to three units. It is a neat old building, so I hope that it gets a proper rehab.

I know for a fact there is interest in some sort of extension along Shelby to link with the Pleasant Run Trail. Not sure whether this grant will have anything to do with it.

I must say, I remain very troubled at the limited number of private donations the Cultural Trail received apart from the Glicks. The absence of the Lilly Endowment is particularly baffling. I'm glad the trail is getting done, but if the community doesn't recognize the value of it enough to really support it, that's a very bad sign for the community.

I'd like to blame it on the atrocious economy, though that may be a bit too much. The fact that its happening during record-breaking foreclosures could make it seem more like a puff project to major foundations that target urban improvements. I'm not certain the efforts at public outreach have been as strong as they could, and public misinformation is rife. A significant portion of Indy's population seems to believe this is funded purely by Indianapolis taxpayers. I know this is old (http://www.hightaxeskill.org/) but it still helps to perpetuate the myth to anyone willing to see it.

those Columbus #'s just don't add up....

Talked to my friend in Columbus--he thinks they applied two different methodologies for assessing the two cities' visitors. He said he wouldn't be surprised if some of Columbus' high figures derive from people making trips into the city from Dublin or Gahanna or Upper Arlington, for purposes other than work. He's pretty pro-Columbus, but even he would concede that it would be hard for the city's visitors to be 3X that of Indy, let alone simply to surpass it.

I'd like to blame it on the atrocious economy, though that may be a bit too much. The fact that its happening during record-breaking foreclosures could make it seem more like a puff project to major foundations that target urban improvements. I'm not certain the efforts at public outreach have been as strong as they could, and public misinformation is rife. A significant portion of Indy's population seems to believe this is funded purely by Indianapolis taxpayers. I know this is old (http://www.hightaxeskill.org/) but it still helps to perpetuate the myth to anyone willing to see it.

I'm all for lower taxes, but that site is just ridiculous... is any information true?

No, this past year taught us that there are a lot of batshit insane racists in this country.

The people of Western Europe have just as much, if not more political freedom than Americans.

The U.S. used to be a country that could get things done, and it still can. It built the interstate highway system, a massive freight rail network, and huge airports.

Three dysfunctional transportation networks; one helped decimate the inner-city, two helped decimate investment in rail, and one has self-destructed by trying to be all things to all people.

The OSU football numbers would just about wash with the Colts. OSU plays fewer home games but has a bigger stadium. And OSU basketball combined with their NHL team probably balance the Pacers and Big 10 tourneys.

I honestly don't see how they could outdraw the combination of the Indiana State Fair and four big races (500, 400, MotoGP, NHRA US Nationals), plus our frequent NCAA sectionals, regionals, and final fours with just their state fair alone, though. And all their museums combined probably don't touch The Children's Museum, IMA, State Museum, and Eiteljorg.

Perhaps Indy's consultants make more conservative assumptions about local attendance, and perhaps C'bus counts every click on the turnstiles as "tourist".

Don't forget that their state is twice as big as ours.

Three dysfunctional transportation networks; one helped decimate the inner-city, two helped decimate investment in rail, and one has self-destructed by trying to be all things to all people.

Thats just crazy talk. So we shouldn't have built them? These three networks are the only reason that our country is so successful, and evenly successful. Transportation allows businesses to use economics to find low labor and production costs. I'm not gonna waste any more time on this one.

Thats just crazy talk. So we shouldn't have built them? These three networks are the only reason that our country is so successful, and evenly successful. Transportation allows businesses to use economics to find low labor and production costs. I'm not gonna waste any more time on this one.

It might be crazy, but it's not completely untrue.

Found via urbanindy's page, the parking issue rears its head stopping YET ANOTHER devlopment from progressing...

http://www.ibj.com/property-lines/2010/02/19/parking-hangup-slows-renovation-of-blighted-apartment-building/PARAMS/post/18237

Cities need to move beyond the parking discussion. This project should not even need a variance. Its just another step in the development process that makes urban spaces less competitive with green field sites. I have worked in multiple communities across the US as a redevelopment specialist and one of the first things I remove from the zoning is parking requirements. Its never failed yet, to incentivize urban redevelopment. Its not the only tool, but its a nice start.

Cities need to move beyond the parking discussion. This project should not even need a variance. Its just another step in the development process that makes urban spaces less competitive with green field sites. I have worked in multiple communities across the US as a redevelopment specialist and one of the first things I remove from the zoning is parking requirements. Its never failed yet, to incentivize urban redevelopment. Its not the only tool, but its a nice start.

Someone hire this man!

I wonder what goes through these people minds? I stress to avoid sounding like an outraged urbanist, but I wonder if they even consider the merits of telling these property owners NO to their requests about denying this and see how everything turns out...

Cities need to move beyond the parking discussion. This project should not even need a variance. Its just another step in the development process that makes urban spaces less competitive with green field sites. I have worked in multiple communities across the US as a redevelopment specialist and one of the first things I remove from the zoning is parking requirements. Its never failed yet, to incentivize urban redevelopment. Its not the only tool, but its a nice start.

Parking is not required by zoning code in the Mile Square (CBD zoning). Unfortunately, this development is well outside both the Mile Square and the Regional Center in a midtown district.

As has been pointed out by our Mayor, "we love our cars". I would be a hypocrite if I said "parking doesn't matter." It does. I work in the neighborhood and often drive and walk past this building and others like it. There will be some people with cars who live there, and they will need to find parking spaces. But I believe they exist in sufficient number that it shouldn't prevent the development.

17th & Meridian is located SQUARELY within the Regional Center code and is often treated with some of the same req's as a CBD...at least it was when I reviewed Regional Center approvals.

Further, there is on-street parking along both 17th Streets and Penn.

17th & Meridian is located SQUARELY within the Regional Center code and is often treated with some of the same req's as a CBD...at least it was when I reviewed Regional Center approvals.

Further, there is on-street parking along both 17th Streets and Penn.

Back when you were doing RC work, it was part of a separate zone called the "North Meridian Corridor" covered by the RC ordinance, which had many separate and different requirements from the main RC area south of 16th.

Today its requirements are more integrated into the Regional Center Zoning Ordinance, but it still has some different requirements specific to Meridian. Around 1733 for blocks either way the dominant zoning classification is the suburban commercial C-4 which anticipates lots of cars and parking. (Part of the petition in question is a downzone to C-2.)

The zoning map and planning map don't change the reality that Meridian north to 38th from I-65 (or 16th, depending on where you want to draw the line) is clearly a midtown district, not a downtown district. Away from 16th & Meridian, car use (and thus parking) becomes more and more necessary for doing almost everything.

Back when you were doing RC work, it was part of a separate zone called the "North Meridian Corridor" covered by the RC ordinance, which had many separate and different requirements from the main RC area south of 16th.

Today its requirements are more integrated into the Regional Center Zoning Ordinance, but it still has some different requirements specific to Meridian. Around 1733 for blocks either way the dominant zoning classification is the suburban commercial C-4 which anticipates lots of cars and parking. (Part of the petition in question is a downzone to C-2.)

The zoning map and planning map don't change the reality that Meridian north to 38th from I-65 (or 16th, depending on where you want to draw the line) is clearly a midtown district, not a downtown district. Away from 16th & Meridian, car use (and thus parking) becomes more and more necessary for doing almost everything.

Even with all this said...I reiterate that I think there's enough street parking in the area to support this project, and that the rezoning and parking variances should be granted. But in the subject part of town, it's not (and shouldn't be) automatic.

Group to meet on
homeless
encampment

By Will Higgins

Posted: February 23, 2010

A neighborhood group alarmed at the homeless encampment under the Davidson Street railroad bridge has scheduled a second meeting this week to
discuss the matter.
Ironically I noticed the folks living under the bridge on Penn by Conseco were gone yesterday.

http://www.indystar.com/comments/article/20100223/LOCAL/100223036/Group-to-meet-on-homeless-encampment

Several dozen homeless people are living under the bridge on Indianapolis’
Southeastside, a block south of Washington Street.

Last week, about 30 people — nearby residents, homeless advocates, city
officials and police, as well as at least one homeless man — met and expressed dismay about the encampment.

Richard Campi, who hosted the meeting in his house, said that his immediate concern was its unsanitary condition. “What can be accomplished today,” he wrote in an e-mail announcing Thursday’s meeting, “is what is a good
start toward making headway with this city’s sanitation dealings with larger
homeless villages. Dumpsters and port-a-pots are an answer to an immediate resolve to the area’s residents and business concerns.”

The group will meet at 3:30 p.m.

That shanty town on Davidson is not even the scariest one. Across the highway behind the Hardees, there are dead-end streets with even more shanty towns.

I'll snag some pics at lunch today. It's a pretty impressive setup they got going on over there.

I assume most have been following the IUPUI/Clarian Master Planning initiative that was announced yesterday:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100224/NEWS04/2240344/-1/ARCHIVE/IU-Clarian-have-1.1B-vision-for-life-sciences-campus

This comes on the heels of the planned Neurosciences Center at 16th and Senate:

http://www.ibj.com/article?articleId=16394

This all sounds like a great initiative and the investment is laudable given the current economic times, but I'm a little concerned about the boundaries of the plan. The Star article says this:

"The new life-sciences corridor would stretch north from IUPUI's Downtown campus to 21st Street, between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Capitol Avenue."

That does not very specifically define the southern boundary of the corridor. I imagine at the very least it goes to 10th St., but "north from IUPUI's downtown campus" could mean as far south at New York.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/IUPUI-Clarian_map.jpg

IUPUI and Clarian should be discouraged from encroaching too far south in the corridor. As I've said in the past, they've already proven themselves to be incompetent when it comes to designing buildings for an urban context (see the cluster at the head of the canal). Not to throw the green-bounded area under the bus, but that region is sort of a lost cause. It's highest and best use very well IS as an insular medical/science cluster. But the further south you go in that corridor, the more truly urban and mixed-use the design should be. I simply have no faith in IUPUI and Clarian not to completely screw up that area.

Group to meet on
homeless
encampment

By Will Higgins

Posted: February 23, 2010

A neighborhood group alarmed at the homeless encampment under the Davidson Street railroad bridge has scheduled a second meeting this week to
discuss the matter.
Ironically I noticed the folks living under the bridge on Penn by Conseco were gone yesterday.

http://www.indystar.com/comments/article/20100223/LOCAL/100223036/Group-to-meet-on-homeless-encampment

Several dozen homeless people are living under the bridge on Indianapolis’
Southeastside, a block south of Washington Street.

Last week, about 30 people — nearby residents, homeless advocates, city
officials and police, as well as at least one homeless man — met and expressed dismay about the encampment.

Richard Campi, who hosted the meeting in his house, said that his immediate concern was its unsanitary condition. “What can be accomplished today,” he wrote in an e-mail announcing Thursday’s meeting, “is what is a good
start toward making headway with this city’s sanitation dealings with larger
homeless villages. Dumpsters and port-a-pots are an answer to an immediate resolve to the area’s residents and business concerns.”

The group will meet at 3:30 p.m.

Just adding my two cents here :) I have an archive shot of this bridge in question that I took a while ago:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4110720296_4ef76c8c6a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3695839661_c1e00d9da0_b.jpg

这是新加的空白文章2，可以在UBB可视化编辑器中，添加和修改文章内容。

这是新加的空白文章2，可以在UBB可视化编辑器中，添加和修改文章内容。

WTF?

I just took a look at a transcript of IU President Michael McRobbie's speech yesterday. Apparently the Indy Star article was just poor reporting, as McRobbie specifically defines the southern boundary of the joint planning area as 10th St.

GOOD.

"Further, the Smith Group has also been engaged by Clarian to prepare a master plan for the Clarian campus that focuses, very roughly, on the area bounded to the north and south by 21st and 10th Streets, respectively, and Martin Luther King and Capital to the west and east, building on work previously done for Clarian and for the city for this area.

Given that there now are IU facilities at the southernmost part of the Clarian campus with plans to build IU’s Neurosciences Building at the northern edge of the IUPUI campus, the IUPUI and Clarian campuses are now effectively physically linked together.

So given that Clarian is a joint venture of IU and the Methodist Hospital and is essential to the research and clinical programs of the IU School of Medicine and other IU health sciences-related schools, the IUPUI Master Plan, especially for the part north of Michigan Street, and the Clarian Master Plan will be conceptually linked together. We expect these plans to be complete in about six months."

http://www.indystar.com/assets/pdf/BG152435223.DOC

I assume most have been following the IUPUI/Clarian Master Planning initiative that was announced yesterday:

This comes on the heels of the planned Neurosciences Center at 16th and Senate:

This all sounds like a great initiative and the investment is laudable given the current economic times, but I'm a little concerned about the boundaries of the plan. The Star article says this:

"The new life-sciences corridor would stretch north from IUPUI's Downtown campus to 21st Street, between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Capitol Avenue."

That does not very specifically define the southern boundary of the corridor. I imagine at the very least it goes to 10th St., but "north from IUPUI's downtown campus" could mean as far south at New York.

IUPUI and Clarian should be discouraged from encroaching too far south in the corridor. As I've said in the past, they've already proven themselves to be incompetent when it comes to designing buildings for an urban context (see the cluster at the head of the canal). Not to throw the green-bounded area under the bus, but that region is sort of a lost cause. It's highest and best use very well IS as an insular medical/science cluster. But the further south you go in that corridor, the more truly urban and mixed-use the design should be. I simply have no faith in IUPUI and Clarian not to completely screw up that area.

I think the current initiative is focused on the area bounded by I-65, Capitol, and 16th. Clarian already owns a bunch of that ground, and it has previously been earmarked for the neurosciences complex.

I am less convinced than you are that they won't be sensitive to urban design issues in that part of town.

As for the "connection" to the main IUPUI campus, that pretty much already exists through IUPUI ownership and leases of buildings fronting the canal. I don't see them expanding too much east of the direct canal limits.

I don't see them gobbling up all that territory when all the abandoned warehouses and sites along Indiana Ave. north of Fall Creek would be closer to their operational core.

A few snapshots of the homeless colonies available here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ablerock/sets/72157623502175858/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4385779834_064d8f22e8.jpg

"A few snapshots of the homeless colonies available here:"



Mayor Rose Presiding? That is a crazy sight but with so many people losing their homes to for foreclosure it's not all that surprising.

One of my favorite places in the City to go is the College Ave viaduct just south of Washington Street. Provides for terrific views of the city...anyway, I discovered the shanty town there while walking around one afternoon. It was very sad...and a bit freaky. I wasn't scared as much as I was sad for the fact that in the shadow of our shiney skyline, there are approx 25 "homes" made of cardboard, blankets and particle board.

Gen Con renews ICC contract through 2015.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100226/BUSINESS/2260365/1003/BUSINESS/Gen-Con-says-far-out-to-center-s-expansion

USA Football touring city, considering moving HQ here
Anthony Schoettle IBJ February 26, 2010

Indianapolis is on the verge of scoring another significant sports governing body, and the move could give a much-needed boost to an old neighborhood southeast of downtown.

Officials for USA Football are in Indianapolis today, and sources told IBJ that the organization is seriously considering moving its headquarters here from its Vienna, Va., home this summer.

USA Football spokesman Steve Alic confirmed that he and other staffers are touring Indianapolis today and tomorrow, but said a final decision on relocating the organization has not been made.

“We’ll have an idea if this will come to fruition between now and the end of May,” Alic told IBJ this morning.

Other USA Football officials told IBJ that a decision would likely come much sooner, and that Indianapolis was the front-runner to replace the organization’s home in the Washington, D.C., area.

USA Football has about 30 employees—some of those in regional outposts. But its significance goes far beyond the staffers it could relocate here.

“This would be a huge coup for the city,” said Milt Thompson, an Indiana Sports Corp. board member who said he’s been involved in discussions with USA Football. “This is an organization with significant influence in one of the nation’s most popular sports. The clinics, conventions and other meetings they would bring here would bring a lot of positive attention to this city.”

Robert Vane, Mayor Greg Ballard’s deputy chief of staff, said the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association is leading USA Football’s tour of the city.
“Obviously we’re supportive of organizations like that locating here,” Vane said. “It’s a good fit.”

Sources familiar with the tour said members of USA Football will meet with Ballard, Indianapolis Colts brass and Indiana Pacers’ President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird, and tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Thompson said the tour also will include a site inspection of several potential parcels that might house the USA Football headquarters.

Sources familiar with the discussions said Carmel was initially considered, but shelved for a more central location. Pan Am Plaza and the 30 South Meridian building, where the ICVA has its headquarters, are also being considered.

But the need for more land could push the site search a few miles southeast of downtown.

“My understanding is they’re looking at the Citizens Gas property near the Twin Aire Shopping Center,” Thompson said. The Citizens Gas property is located at 2950 Propect St.

Thompson added that city officials were told USA Football needed space for “four regulation-sized football fields.”
-----

This won't be a popular opinion (again), but I've often stated the need to redevelop the Citizens Coke site with JOBS. LOTS of jobs. It's already an industrial area; the neighborhood has lost thousands of jobs with the closings of the Coke plant and the Harvester plant south of Irvington. I'm pretty sure that unless USA Football hire me or Ablerock, none of the 30 employees will live anywhere near the site.

BUT, if they developed the old Twin Aire Drive-In site (adjacent) with their football fields and left big chunks of the Coke Plant site for office and industrial, I'd be okay with that.

^^

Just read that article myself!

It's great news for the city and I was very pleased to hear that if they relocate, they're looking for a regional center location instead of in Carmel. We've got a long way to go, but that shows the inner city still has some advantages over the 'burbs.

Yup!! I was happy to read that too. Like Aaron says, gotta offer something the burbs cannot to make the core successful.

Well --- good news. That facility would be helpful to continue (start?) turning that area around. Its definitely pretty rough looking around there right now ---- but hopefully -- that other thing that is supposed to be going in down in that area -- some type of center to help promote central city baseball -- I believe -- could help provide a secondary, complementary type facility to also help with the re-incarnation of that area. With a youth baseball support center -- and USA football offices -- with practices facilities -- it could create a hub for youth sports. The Citizens Coke facility is being cleared out and cleaned up and plans for a park are also coming together for that area. Right now -- its not a real pretty area -- but maybe all of these things coming together could help turn things around.

Someone could make a career out of trying to rehab that area. That kind of place doesnt clean itself up overnight

More interesting IBJ pieces this week.

Scotty's owner to start microbrewery
http://www.ibj.com/scottys-brewhouse-owner-planning-microbrewery/PARAMS/article/18390

Lack of smoking ban hurts hospitality efforts
http://www.ibj.com/officials-weak-smoking-ban-hurts-citys-hospitality-efforts/PARAMS/article/18365

Thats just crazy talk. So we shouldn't have built them? These three networks are the only reason that our country is so successful, and evenly successful. Transportation allows businesses to use economics to find low labor and production costs. I'm not gonna waste any more time on this one.


The truth is crazy and I intend to spread as much crazy talk as I can.

Someone could make a career out of trying to rehab that area. That kind of place doesnt clean itself up overnight

Many people in this city DO make careers of rehabbing areas like Twin Aire. In that specific case, it's the folks at Southeast Neighborhood Development Corp. (SEND) and their friends, supporters, and allies. Almost all of Center Township is divided geographically into CDC service areas; the only parts that aren't are just east and southeast of Twin Aire.

For a (slightly inaccurate) map of CDC areas in Marion County, go here (http://www.icndindy.org/icnd-members)