AUGUST 25-31, 2014
The theme of this week's issue is "comebacks." Scott Olson reacquaints us with homebuilder Brad Davis and Paul Estridge Jr., whose prominant companies faltered during the housing downturn but have re-emerged in new incarnations. Norm Heikens explains how Hoosier incomes are rebouding. And in A&E, Lou Harry shows off the latest great games from GenCon as the nation's board- and card-game renaissance continues.
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Builders Estridge and Davis rebound from bust, run own firms again
Brad Davis and Paul Estridge Jr. belong to a select fraternity. They’re prominent Indianapolis homebuilders whose companies faltered during the housing downturn, only to re-emerge in another incarnation.
Read MoreFeds’ new data adds shine to Hoosier incomes
In April, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis began considering cost of living alongside the stew of income figures it has long collected, and the new, adjusted income numbers make both the metro area and the state look like better places to live.
Read MoreStar caterer Jack Bayt on upswing after tumble
Six years after having the area’s largest catering business sold out from under him, Jack Bayt is back, leading a revamped Crystal Catering. But the new iteration is much smaller than in the days when Bayt and his partners wanted to become a regional or even national player.
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A love story with Christ Church takes contentious turn
This is far from the first time that heirs and beneficiaries of the Lilly family fortune have tangled over how it was managed.
Read MoreMainstreet torques up expansion ambitions
Mainstreet Property Group, already the fastest-growing company in the Indianapolis area, now has the fuel it needs to nearly triple its pace of construction of senior care facilities around the country.
Read MoreBroad Ripple lawyer represents cyclists involved in personal injury accidents
Indianapolis attorney Tim Caress’ desire to combine his after-work passions with helping people whose “lives have been turned upside down” resulted in his rolling—and running—into a new and growing line of business.
Read MoreNoblesville eyes plans for $10M park, amphitheater
Officials hope to bolster the city’s “hipstoric” downtown and jump-start redevelopment of a key community gateway. But the price strikes some as steep.
Read MoreDemise of Radio Disney causing static; local station in play
Walt Disney Co. announced earlier this month that it would sell its 23 radio stations that target children ages 3 to 15. The only Radio Disney outpost on the FM dial, WRDZ-FM 98.3 in Indianapolis, could be particularly sought after if the stations are sold individually.
Read MoreGatling Gun Club building proving to be tough sell
The building on North Illinois Street has been vacant since 2008. A downtown bar owner who acquired it nearly four years ago put it back on the market after giving up on plans to move her business there.
Read MoreGlobal group taps local woman to lead Indy chapter
Jennifer Burns is looking for a couple of dozen twenty-somethings who, like her, share the lofty goals of the World Economic Forum, the organization that gathers heads of state and CEOs each January in the Swiss mountain town of Davos.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Condos making comeback in Indianapolis
The market is starting to wake up after years of slumber caused by the housing downturn.
Read MoreIndianapolis homebuilder combines dashing design, prefabricated construction
Ursula David hopes her first manufactured home will catch on at other infill lots close to downtown.
Read MoreAll-star real estate agent leadership sounding familiar
Ward takes first place among IBJ’s All-Star Teams sixth year in row.
Read MoreWynkoop is top real estate agent in 2014
Scott Wynkoop placed first among all-star agents a third year in a row.
Read MoreAt-Home Quarterly Marketplace
Look here for statistics on Indianapolis-area home sales, the most expensive local sale, and a map showing population density.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
MORRIS: Beering sells good coffee for a good cause
Help yourself to some Mission Coffee and help the poor Panamanians who put it in your cup.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Daniels diminishing higher learning
The current political focus on what we used to call “vocational education” not only minimizes the value of a liberal education, it ignores the reality of today’s job market.
Read MoreHOOPER: Ritz didn’t politicize public education
Glenda Ritz isn’t responsible for politicizing education policy. That distinction goes to her predecessor, Tony Bennett, the Republican she unseated two years ago.
Read MoreHicks: Who actually pays the taxes? Good question
Among the most misunderstood concepts in public policy is the burden of taxes. One unfortunate result is a good bit of bitterness and calumny over who pays their fair share.
Read MoreSkarbeck: New rules could take shine off money market funds
The Securities and Exchange Commission last month approved new rules for money market funds, which require institutional “prime” money funds and municipal funds to have a floating net asset value, or NAV.
Read MoreMaurer distorted Pence position
When I read Mickey Maurer’s [Aug. 25 column] “Is there room for compassion in politics?” I was simply taken aback.
Read MoreMore praise for Lauth
I worked for Bob Lauth and found him to be tough, fair, driven and extraordinarily street-smart [Maurer column, July 21].
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
City-County Council approves landlord registry
The ordinance is the product of state legislation this year that effectively shut down rental-property inspection programs but left municipalities the option of creating registries.
Read MoreKite Realty creates general counsel post
Kite Realty Group Trust has created the position of executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary and has brought aboard Scott E. Murray to fill it.
Read MoreIndianapolis Downtown Inc. to go by new name
Indianapolis Downtown Inc., a 21-year-old public-private promotional group, plans to do business under a new name as part of a strategic plan, it announced Wednesday morning.
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