Indianapolis Development News 2

[Indyman]

Originally Posted by gych

I have no beef with all the Indy forumers..I have beef with Cwilson. If he wants to come and clown my development threads about MY own city for NO REASON, with no reference to his pathetic place, then I will do the same to him. All Indy forumers need to look at the Louisville dev thread and see where Cwilson comes out of nowhere to clown my comments.

If you don't like it be the bigger person and decide to just let it go.

[cwilson758]

I admit, I went over and pushed his buttons...but it is so easy. It's like fishing in a pond full of starving fish. Oh, well, I apologize to those who get annoyed by the bickering.

Jake- will you forgive me??

[Coldwake]

Hello Indianapolis forumers! OK, so I have a love/hate relationship with your city... I'll defend it to people who put it down but I bash it to people who praise it. It's weird... But I have spent a lot of time there back when my girlfriend went to IU and I stayed in Wisconsin for school. This went on for three years and I'd say I was in Indianapolis about once a month during that time.

That's all backround... now here is why I'm posting. Just for the fun of it, i would often take the amtrak from milwaukee to Indianapolis. One thing both our cities had in common was the utter shambles the train stations were in. Whenever i was at both I felt I had to keep a constant eye out for my stafety and there was a running tally of which station could have more homeless guys ask me for money.

Milwaukee recently approved (finally) plans to fix up our station. It has been a couple years now since I've been to Indy and wonder if your city had made any improvements as well or have any in the works? Especially being an intermodal gateway to the city, it leaves a strong impression on visitors. So, what IS the state of your amtrak station?

Either way, I definatley have to make a trip again someday soon.

[LouisvilleJake]

Originally Posted by cwilson758

Jake- will you forgive me??

haha, no problems bud.

[cjfjapan]

Originally Posted by Coldwake

Hello Indianapolis forumers! OK, so I have a love/hate relationship with your city... I'll defend it to people who put it down but I bash it to people who praise it. It's weird... But I have spent a lot of time there back when my girlfriend went to IU and I stayed in Wisconsin for school. This went on for three years and I'd say I was in Indianapolis about once a month during that time.

That's all backround... now here is why I'm posting. Just for the fun of it, i would often take the amtrak from milwaukee to Indianapolis. One thing both our cities had in common was the utter shambles the train stations were in. Whenever i was at both I felt I had to keep a constant eye out for my stafety and there was a running tally of which station could have more homeless guys ask me for money.

Milwaukee recently approved (finally) plans to fix up our station. It has been a couple years now since I've been to Indy and wonder if your city had made any improvements as well or have any in the works? Especially being an intermodal gateway to the city, it leaves a strong impression on visitors. So, what IS the state of your amtrak station?

Either way, I definatley have to make a trip again someday soon.

I dont know about any plans to remake the rail station in Indy, although I heard recently that a new greyhound/city bus facility is planned for the south side of Union Station, where Amtrak trains stop. Unlike Milwaukee, which has several trains a day to Chicago, the only trains I know of from indy both leave and arrive in the middle of the night, and take about twice as long as by private auto. I wouldnt look for any changes anytime soon.

By way of comparison, I recently moved to Sapporo, in northern Japan. The metro area here is about the same size as St. Louis--not that much bigger than indy. the main train station here is surrounded by jam-packed department stores, and trains arrive on average of every five minutes, not including three subway lines. the difference is amazing. Despite the improvements made to downtown Indy in the past few years, the "zatto" (hustle and bustle) here in central Sapporo is much greater than in any American city its size. The US has decades of infrastructure improvements ahead if it is going to build a reasonably successful mass transit system in its smaller cities.

Here is a photo of Sapporo station--



And a view from above--



indy has a lot of the retail and infrastructure in place around Union Station--just missing the trains!!

[NaptownBoy]

Hmm... looks like the developers have their hands busy lately

[NaptownBoy]

Indy could use a renovated Union Station, with Amtrak terminal and all. Is there really a new Greyhound terminal in the works? The current station is shit, I liked the old one across from the statehouse better, it had a Burger King inside of it. I think the old bus station was renovated and made into the Indiana Department of Education headquarters, correct me if i'm wrong.

[cwilson758]

OK...my last high-profile project with the City was the Conrad. Now that I am the Planning Administrator in Cumberland (far eastside or Marion County / west side of Hancock County) this is my excitement:
From the Star:

Cumberland
Plans to build Walgreens store uncertain

Plans for a $5 million development involving a new Walgreens store and Dairy Queen have encountered obstacles.
The development had been slated for the southeast corner of Washington Street and German Church Road.


As of Wednesday morning, land that would have been part of the project was for sale again, said Cory Wilson, Cumberland's planning administrator. Another bidder has expressed interest, he said.
But some of those involved with the Walgreens-Dairy Queen project said they are proceeding as planned.
Earlier this year, Peacock Associates reached deals to purchase about four acres from two different landowners.
The firm planned to demolish a Dairy Queen, which was to be rebuilt on an adjoining parcel south of its current location. The Walgreens pharmacy would have occupied the front parcel along Washington Street.
But Peacock's option to purchase part of the land expired weeks ago, said J.W. McNeal, one of the landowners. So he decided to raise his price, he said.
"There's more to the story," McNeal added, but he declined further comment.
Peacock backed off the project when McNeal wanted more money, Wilson said.
Officials with Peacock Associates declined comment.
But the other landowner involved, Don Napier, said Peacock representatives have told him the project will proceed.
"It's still going to happen," said Napier, who operates the Dairy Queen franchise. "I believe we'll probably be breaking ground in the next 30 days. . . . I'm assured that things are moving forward."
Napier said Peacock would pay between $1.5 million and $2 million in total land costs. Peacock will then give part of the McNeal land to Napier for the new Dairy Queen, Napier said.
Cumberland officials were disappointed to see the project in jeopardy, Wilson said.
"We did put a lot of time and effort into (the project)," Wilson said. The good news for town officials, he said, is that development guidelines for the corner will remain in effect no matter who ultimately develops it.
The town will require 6-foot-tall ground signs along Washington Street. Developers must install sidewalks along German Church Road. And no business can have more than one row of parking facing Washington Street, he said.

Granted, this was a major victory for us (Cumberland) with the MDC (metropolitan development commission) because we were able to argue and win with regards to a 6' tall sign, only one row of parking along Washington Street and the sidewalks. These are all things that the developers didn't have to do, so I like to think that my negotiations paid off. Those familiar with Cumberland will see a lot of changes happening out here in the next 2 years. We will start construction on the Pennsy Trail in the spring, which will be the eastside's Monon, the first quarter of 2007, in conjunction with INDOT, we will begin a streetscape project that will completely change Washington Street from German Church Road to Buck Creek (in Hancock Co), and in December both our Historic District (see Woodruff Place) and the National Road Overlay will be adopted. The Historic District will provide stricter developement guidelines so that the MDC can't ram a Meijer down our throats and the Overlay will be for the Hancock Co portion of the Town for new development. For those locally that have seen the proposed Wal-Mart in Zionsville, we will require all new development to look similar to that. It will be a first-of-its-kind in the Metro Area. Maybe a better example would be Clay Terrace. Yes, there are indivisual developments that use "TND" approaches, but we will be requiring it on a Town-wide basis.

I was brought out here to do these things and they have gone very well. Keep your eyes on the Metro section of the Star, in about a month they will be doing a big story on Cumberland and all of the changes that will be coming our way very soon. Good things are happening on the eastside, so keep your eyes open!

[cwilson758]

I got this email today. I am going to the condo tour with some friends tomorrow after work. I am looking forward to the food. I normally can't afford places like Oceanaire unless its a special occasion, so for $20 cocktails and apps are well worth it to me:

One Market Square is participating in Indianapolis Monthly's & Indianapolis Downtown Inc.'s first ever Downtown Condo Tour this Friday & Saturday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. This event offers you the perfect chance to visit our new designer model & sales center & see first hand the exciting changes & opportunities available at One Market Square. In less than three weeks, we have far surpassed with reservations the level of interest that existed last year. We attribute this to the many changes & enhancements in the design, pricing, & amenities now included in the project. We will be open this Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. & Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Feel free to visit us during these times. Floor plans & general pricing are now available at OneMarketSquare.com. We hope to see you soon!


Very encouraged by the reservations. Hopefully they meet their end-of-the-year deadline and construction starts this spring!

[jacerw99]

Cory, perhaps I will see you around the condo tour. I'm also going with a big gaggle of my friends--I can't wait! I'm very excited to see Mill #9. Love that building.

[araman0]

Originally Posted by cwilson758

I got this email today. I am going to the condo tour with some friends tomorrow after work. I am looking forward to the food. I normally can't afford places like Oceanaire unless its a special occasion, so for $20 cocktails and apps are well worth it to me:

One Market Square is participating in Indianapolis Monthly's & Indianapolis Downtown Inc.'s first ever Downtown Condo Tour this Friday & Saturday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. This event offers you the perfect chance to visit our new designer model & sales center & see first hand the exciting changes & opportunities available at One Market Square. In less than three weeks, we have far surpassed with reservations the level of interest that existed last year. We attribute this to the many changes & enhancements in the design, pricing, & amenities now included in the project. We will be open this Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. & Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Feel free to visit us during these times. Floor plans & general pricing are now available at OneMarketSquare.com. We hope to see you soon!


Very encouraged by the reservations. Hopefully they meet their end-of-the-year deadline and construction starts this spring!

I havn't read much of this thread yet, so sorry if the answer exists elsewhere, but could you please send me more information on this tour? I might have to make it down there on Saturday. Thanks in advance.

[jacerw99]

Here you are:
http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/c....html#adanchor

[KM1410]

Originally Posted by cwilson758

In less than three weeks, we have far surpassed with reservations the level of interest that existed last year.

Hopefully they're telling the truth this time.

[cwilson758]

Jacer-

Cool! I will be with two other girls. I think it will be fun.

[cwilson758]

Look at this shot. You can tell it is from 1990 because 1 Indiana Square still has its old cladding at the top. Anyway, my point with this pic is...look at Mass Ave and notice the availablity of parking! You can't find a parking space on tha street now!

[thehoss257]

Sounds like an interesting conversation... I recently happened upon this forum and thought I would join in.

My Name is Matt Hostetler. I'm a grad student in the Ball State College of Architecture and Planning. I live in Indianapolis and am commuting to Muncie twice a week for a 1 hour class (an unbelievable waste of gas!!!). At the current rate, I’m hoping to earn my planning degree sometime before the end of the decade.

Cory, you may remember me. I was an intern for the MPO a couple summers back.

Anyway, I wanted to find out how the condo tour went.

[araman0]

^ Welcome to the forum! After driving all the way down there today, I found out that the tickets for the tour had sold out! Oh well, that didn't stop me from sneaking in to the Athletic Club Condiminiums to see their 7th floor model. It was pretty nice, but don't know when I will be able to afford the $451,000 price tag. They did say however that there were some one bedroom condos on the lower floors for $170,000 or so.

[cwilson758]

yes, I do remember you!

The Tour went very well. We had a lot of fun (drank more than we should have). I think the response was over whelming because each restaurant ran out of food!

Anyway, the Conrad will be AWESOME. Flat screens in the living and bed rooms, top amenities, etc. I would suspect that it at least gets a 4-star rating!

One Market Square...Amazing! The building is very cool and will do a lot for the skyline. All of the elevations that we have seen only show the side that faces downtown, well, there is a full scale of the building at the sales center and it is much more massive than the pics we have seen show. IMO, the eastside is much better looking than than the west. There is depth to the building and as a whole it is a very good looking residential building. The sales guys said since redesign they have had very good sales and "this is going to happen." I was with a friend who has a friend who is working on the project and she confirmed that he also stated that the project is going to happen.

I also saw Mill #9 and the Packard.

[araman0]

^ Great news on the 2 towers! I'm so mad I wasn't able to see them.

[Indyman]

I'm confused, I thought the Conrad was expected to be 5-star.