Programs aim to bring diversity to work-procurement table
Two new supplier-diversity programs are launching in Indianapolis as local companies and other organizations try to make good on their equity promises from last year.
Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
Articles
City-County Council panel clears way for nearly $150M in new public buildings
The Administration and Finance Committee advanced $10.5 million for a new solid waste facility and $7.5 million for a new firehouse—in addition to letting Indy borrow $126.7 million in bonds for a range of new buildings on the Community Justice Campus and other facilities.
Conexus, Goodwill team up for job-training program on city’s northeast side
About 50 students will learn foundational problem-solving skills and hands-on manufacturing techniques during the 160-hour Catapult program, which could act as a feeder for the upcoming Cook Medical manufacturing facility in the Arlington Woods neighborhood.
Council committee advances new emergency services agency
Indianapolis’ emergency services functions, including 911 and fire communications, are one step closer to becoming part of a new, separate agency with an initial $23.1 million budget.
Local health leaders discuss COVID mitigation measures, but mask mandate not imminent
With COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths on the rise, public health leaders in Marion County are considering measures to reduce the spread of the virus—including a new mask mandate—but they say nothing has been decided yet.
Council committee advances inflation wage change, paid parental leave
An Indianapolis City-County Council committee on Tuesday unanimously voted to advance a plan allowing public employees’ wages to rise with inflation, as work continues on the city’s first public pay scale change in more than a decade.
IMPD talks through 2022 budget, hours after police fatally shoot homicide suspect
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is asking for $265 million, a $3.7 million increase from its approved 2021 budget.
Indianapolis locks in new transit-focused zoning changes
The ordinance is increasingly relevant with construction on the second of three rapid-transit bus lines starting as soon as February, thanks to an $81 million federal transportation grant IndyGo landed last week.
Officials want input on recasting City-County Building, leaning toward residential
Indianapolis is getting serious about possible redevelopment of the City-County Building, now that half of the 28-story monolith is set to be empty within months.
IndyGo gets $81M for Purple Line, allowing construction as soon as February
The Purple Line will run along 38th Street, upgrading a traditional bus route that IndyGo says is among its most ridden and most profitable, and connecting downtown Indianapolis to Lawrence.
Hogsett: ‘It only makes sense’ for prosecutor’s office to move to new justice campus
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Monday said he thinks the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office should relocate from downtown to the new Community Justice Campus, but that decision is still up in the air, according to Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
Prosecutor uncertain whether he’ll move offices to Community Justice Campus
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said his hesitancy arises from concerns over how such a move could increase the prosecutor’s operating costs.
Indy Library CEO to step down after months of controversy
The announcement of Jackie Nytes’ impending departure comes after allegations of racial discrimination within the library system and claims of a negative work environment.
New zoning encourages dense housing near bus lines
Earlier this month, the Democrat-controlled City-County Council voted 20-5 for new development standards that add residential and mixed-use districts to push bus usage, walkability and density county-wide.
Former east-side golf course to become Grassy Creek expansion
When Indianapolis Parks and Recreation staff saw a large piece of land up for sale near a well-loved park, they jumped at the chance to add greenspace to the city’s property rolls.
IndyGo takes in-between step toward all-electric transit system
When IndyGo’s goal of an all-electric bus fleet by 2035 hit a major obstacle, the agency detoured, ordering 27 hybrid buses that are powered with both electricity and diesel.
Indianapolis hoping to boost rental assistance funding by nearly $100M
The city’s IndyRent program—which launched last July with $15 million in funding and eventually grew to $96 million—has so far pushed out $53 million in rent payments to landlords of those seeking rental assistance.
City on firm financial footing with $1.3B budget proposal, Hogsett administration says
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration introduced a $1.35 billion budget proposal to the City-County-Council on Monday evening, with more than half allotted to public safety and criminal justice.
Mayor unveils $166M anti-violence plan as part of city financial proposal
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s plan, funded largely with federal coronavirus relief, gives $33 million to traditional law enforcement efforts, $82 million toward community-led programming and $51.5 million toward “root cause” services like mental health care, hunger relief and workforce development.
Foundation will withhold funding from Indy library amid discrimination allegations
The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, announced Monday it will withhold funds from the Indianapolis Public Library system until it completes a planned climate survey and makes “significant, meaningful and measurable” changes.