DEC. 4-10, 2020
The city of Carmel is the latest Indiana community trying to leverage its waterways to offer businesses cheap and plentiful liquor licenses. Kurt Christian has more on Carmel’s plans to establish four riverfront districts and checks in with other communities to see how the strategy has played out around the state. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey explores how city tourism officials could juggle the conventions and events set for 2021 in order to make room for hosting the entire NCAA men’s basketball tournament this spring. And Samm Quinn outlines how the Indianapolis City-County Council hopes to move the needle on food insecurity by taking a more aggressive approach to tackling food access and equity issues.
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U.S. trade policies likely to soften after Biden becomes president
The incoming administration is widely expected to embrace a more multinational approach to U.S. trade policy, moving away from the “America first” strategy embraced by President Trump.
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Carmel may use waterways to land more liquor permits
Carmel is the latest Indiana community seeking to use its waterways as a means to offer businesses cheap and plentiful liquor licenses.
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Undaunted by COVID, city tourism pros pack events into early 2021
Officials are hopeful new virus cases won’t ruin plans to host two dozen events in the first quarter of 2021—including efforts to bring the full NCAA men’s basketball tournament here.
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City-County Council plan would fight food access, insecurity issues
Proposal 337 could move the needle forward on food insecurity and access problems by creating a structure that brings together and guides stakeholders already working on solutions.
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Indianapolis Art Center launches online marketplace to help counter COVID
The marketplace it says is open to all artists, regardless of their affiliation with the center or where their wares are displayed.
Read MoreQ&A: A big year for live Christmas trees
Bill Heidenreich is a fifth-generation owner of Heidenreich Greenhouses on the city’s south side and the small business is having the best year he can remember.
Read MoreNew Indiana law puts pressure on high schools to reduce home-school withdrawals
The state will review more than 100 schools under a new law that aims to stem the tide of students who leave without diplomas but are not counted as dropping out.
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Entrepreneur plans restaurant, recreational project in Broad Ripple
A local entrepreneur plans to redevelop the former Broad Ripple Steakhouse restaurant site and an adjacent property into a multi-tenant dining concept and outdoor recreation area. The development would utilize numerous shipping containers in its design.
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Indiana Landmarks helping to preserve historic World’s Fair homes
When the National Park Services launched Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, as it was known then, in the 1960s, it inherited a number of historic structures, including the World’s Fair homes.
Read MoreIndiana teacher, substitute shortage worsened by COVID-19
At least 1,755 schools across the state have reported at least one positive case of COVID-19, according to the Indiana State Department of Health, involving more than 15,000 students, teachers and staff.
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Despite foreclosure, experts see bright future for The Shops at Perry Crossing
The shopping center—the 10th-largest in the Indianapolis area, at 600,200 square feet—was repossessed by its lender in October, after Memphis-based owner Poag Shopping Centers LLC defaulted on a $29.9 million loan balance in June. It’s the second foreclosure for the property, which used to be called Metropolis.
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Owners of downtown towers plan $55M renovation, request $10M tax break
The Gold Building’s exterior overhaul is expected to completely replace the iconic gold panels with “crystal gray” panels from the third floor through the 20th.
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Editorial: Cook provides jobs—and an example
Inspired by the protests against racial inequality this summer, the Bloomington-based Cook Medical team began looking for a way to diversify and realized the company could help itself while helping others. And Cook officials want to share their playbook with others.
Read MoreNate Feltman: Spartz’s historic victory sends a positive message
We embrace and support smart, hard-working people who want to engage civically no matter where they are from.
Read MoreSheila Suess Kennedy: Using courts to promote homophobia is so last century
Outgoing Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill wants states to be able to deny married same-sex couples the right to be recognized as parents of their children.
Read MoreJim Litten: Fair housing is an issue that all of us must tackle
Homeownership is one of the most valuable opportunities to build wealth, but that opportunity is dependent on access and affordability. Everyone must have equal access to affordable housing and financing in order to participate in the American dream of homeownership.
Read MoreMaggie Phelps: Pandemic offers clear picture of team performance
Poorly performing teams can’t hide in this environment. Their performance gaps are exposed.
Read MoreHAHN: Don’t let pandemic drag down your finances
The stress of 2020 could really mess with your decision-making and good financial intentions.
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Forgive us for not supporting mass student-loan forgiveness
While there are numerous arguments for college loan forgiveness, the one we find the least convincing and most curious is that it is a matter of social justice.
Read MoreLetter: Praise for jazz great David Baker
Support Indy JazzFest and The Cabaret! We lost a Great One with David’s passing.
Read MoreLetter: Common sense for public safety
There needs to be a complete understanding by all citizens that the moment you take the step from peaceful protesting to damaging property or assaulting others that you are now a criminal and will be arrested, regardless of what your cause may be.
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COVID demand spurs wipe-maker to further expand huge Mooresville operation
Orangeburg, New York-based Nice-Pak said it will add 90 more jobs than originally planned and increase the size of a new facility to 1.2 million square feet. The $165 million project is slated to open in 2022.
Read More$2.8M Lilly Endowment grant to help region catch eye of potential residents
The Indy Chamber said the effort will create a digital first step for potential residents to “see themselves” in the Indianapolis region.
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Pharmaceutical manufacturer seeks $6.5M tax abatement for Indianapolis plant
A City-County Council committee on Monday advanced a proposed tax abatement for a pharmaceutical company that plans to spend $72 million to build a new facility near the Indianapolis International Airport.
Read MoreArbor Homes buys Franklin-based land developer to expand capacity
The Indianapolis area’s most active home builder is bringing one of its frequent collaborators in-house to help develop more lots.
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MONTIETH: If past is prologue, new coach will give Pacers a boost
By injecting a first-year coach into the mold of an established roster, Kevin Pritchard has hit on the formula that has worked eerily well for the Pacers throughout their history.
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