City launches ‘Street Reach’ effort to help homeless, curb panhandling
Central to the campaign is a new full-time manager who will focus on business engagement and connecting homeless individuals to housing and addiction treatment options.
Hayleigh Colombo
Articles
Council approves new left-turn restrictions in advance of Red Line
The Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday night approved a plan to limit left turns at dozens of intersections on Meridian Street and College Avenue in preparation for the impending Red Line bus rapid-transit project.
Indy agrees to deal with Carmel to approve 96th Street roundabouts
The Carmel City Council still has to approve the agreement, which would allow the suburb to continue its plan to construct roundabouts along 96th Street at three intersections.
Republican proposes switch to voting centers in Marion County as lawsuit heats up
The proposal comes ahead of a settlement conference next week in a lawsuit filed by Common Cause and the local NAACP branch claiming discrimination due to the city’s relative lack of early-voting locations.
New housing options for homeless foster stability
A 38-unit downtown apartment building for the chronically homeless that opened in January 2016 is Indianapolis’ first project to employ a so-called “housing first” model.
State manufacturers float relocation tax credit idea as tool to lure workers
The Indiana Manufacturers Association is also hoping the state will allow local governments to offer relocation tax incentives to build upon any that the state offers.
Messer introduces bill to help more transfer students earn degrees
Indiana officials are also trying to advance “reverse transfer” policies statewide as a tool to increase Indiana’s college attainment rate.
IEDC tailors campaign to lifestyle issues in 4 target cities
Ad placements in billboards, magazines, newspapers and internet and mobile platforms were part of a marketing plan launched in 2016 to target Chicago, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta.
Indianapolis, Fishers mayors spearhead effort to attract Amazon HQ2
Amazon’s announcement last week that its future second headquarters will create 50,000 new jobs with an average annual compensation of $100,000 have cities across the country clamoring to submit bids. But there’s a short timetable, with proposals due Oct. 19.
Council to vote on spending $14M for roads, bridges, streetlights
The spending is possible due to the state’s decision to raise the gas tax this year and its decision last year to return county option income tax revenue to cities.
Ukrainian immigrant Spartz picked to replace Kenley in Senate
Victoria Spartz won control of the seat on the sixth ballot during a Republican caucus Wednesday evening, beating Kenley’s handpicked successor.
Purdue University launches three-year degree program
The program is “not for the faint of heart,” a Purdue dean said. It will require the students to be in school year-round and complete summer courses.
Indianapolis, Carmel reach deal in 96th Street roundabout dispute
The deal has to be approved by both the Indianapolis City-County Council and the Carmel City Council before Carmel begins construction on the contested intersections.
State sues to defend new law requiring out-of-state retailers to pay sales tax
The state of Indiana has been clamoring to collect sales tax from out-of-state retailers. The only problem is a U.S. Supreme Court decision that says it can’t.
Hogsett’s ‘structurally balanced budget’ sparks debate
Mayor Joe Hogsett’s budget team has been touting the proposed 2018 city budget as the “first balanced budget with sustainable funding sources since 2008.”
Lawrence cleans up financial turmoil, seeks boost in utility’s junk bond rating
Lawrence officials say they are recovering from financial mismanagement and budget challenges of the past several years—and gearing up to invest in the future.
State workforce commissioner Braun set to resign
Steve Braun, a former state lawmaker, was hired to lead the agency by Gov. Mike Pence in late 2014.
Preservationists cry foul over state plan to log 300 acres of state forest
Preservationists say they are concerned about the potential impact on recreation and endangered species. Forestry officials say selection techniques will be used to improve, not harm, the forest.
‘Reverse transfer’ could be potent tool to bolster Indiana’s college-attainment rate
Reverse transfer allows students to combine credits they earned from both the community college where they started attending classes and the four-year college they transferred to—even if they hadn’t completed enough credits at either institution individually to earn a degree.
City to steer $500K into grocery development in low-income areas
The Hogsett administration plans to use federal grant funding to stimulate the development of one or more grocery stores and help eliminate food deserts.