MAY 3-9, 2010
This week, find out why the chapel doors are closing on mega-church expansion, and why three Indiana universities have public-school principals in their cross hairs. In Focus, see how the Speedway is reacting to a lull in suite sales for the Indianapolis 500. And in A&E, hear Lou Harry's pitch for theater season subscriptions.
Front PageBack to Top
Hotels slowly recovering from worst downturn in 40 years
Hotel occupancy rates in the last two years have plunged nationally and locally to levels not seen in decades, putting a number
of hotels at or near the financial breaking point. But relief finally appears to be on the way.
All Things Automotive aims for national reach, 20 stores by year-end
GM’s axing of its Saturn brand may fuel the nationwide emergence of an Indianapolis-based used-car franchisor. The first All
Things Automotive franchise will open this month in Fishers, at the former Saturn store owned by Lockhart Automotive Group.
British tour firms’ visit may lead to transatlantic direct flights
An initiative to bring 10 of the biggest travel tour operators in the United Kingdom to this year’s Indianapolis 500 could
be a first step in bolstering business at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, area golf courses and Indianapolis International
Airport, where city boosters hope to establish direct flights to London.
Top StoriesBack to Top
Area reaches end of an era for church construction
The $16.5 million worship auditorium that Northview Church in Carmel opened last month may be the last major church-related
project completed in central Indiana for years. Although many projects were finished before the recession, churches, which
usually pay for much of construction in cash, struggled to collect pledges.
Fate of $200,000 JA scholarship a mystery
The turmoil that now engulfs Junior Achievement of Central Indiana likely was spawned by questions that arose in 2008 about
the handling of a scholarship fund worth about $200,000.
Education trend targets training for principals
Three Hoosier universities—Notre Dame, Marian and Indiana—are moving to launch programs that seek to apply MBA-style training to the unique demands of schools.
Read MoreEmmis finds loophole for board on Smulyan buyout
State law normally requires board approval for buyouts. But the language cited in the letter of intent provides an exception
for conflicts of interest or special circumstances.
Closing of Purdue’s Chao Center is setback for BioCrossroads
The university is hoping to find a private company to take over the 5-year-old facility, which formulated and manufactured
small batches of drugs used in clinical trials.
Startup sees big potential for ‘ouchless’ medical tests
Companion Diagnostics wants to detect early warning signs of chronic diseases.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Corporate hospitality in doldrums at Speedway
Unfathomable just a decade ago, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is trimming demands on hospitality packages in a scramble
to fill vacancies and preserve what IMS officials call "a major profit center."
Indianapolis beats Louisville on visitors, but not space
Together, the Kentucky International Convention Center and the Kentucky Exhibition Center offer cavernous space. However,
Indianapolis is attracting more guests.
Connector bridges gap between convention center and stadium
Designers of a walkway that connects the buildings are making the experience as attractive as possible in order to overcome
the psychological barrier of moving from one building to another.
OpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Don’t abandon basic services because of tax caps
The property tax caps that are all but sure to become part of the Indiana constitution after a voter referendum
this November
are definitely good politics—and might prove to be good policy. We won’t know for sure until we see what becomes
of two property-tax funded entities that are starving as the caps fully phase in.
MAURER: Another look at the glass ceiling
My longtime assistant, Marla Smith, had a sign on her desk that read, “The best
man for the job is often a woman.” I have grown to appreciate and believe in that advice.
MARCUS: 90 counties show income improvement
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has released personal-income data for each county in the nation. The Indianapolis area
did not fare well.
THIES: Get ready for state’s finest hour
I am a sucker for a good story. During the NCAA men’s basketball
championship last month, when that ball, or as the CBS color commentator Clark Kellogg called it, the “pumpkin,”
arched into the air from the hands of central Indiana’s now second-most-famous “babyface,” I thought, “This
is it!”
HICKS: How competition sped up broadband adoption
Our study found that simply permitting deregulation of cable TV caused a pleasing increase in broadband adoption.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Diversifying not sure fix for Lilly Endowment woes
Lilly Endowment has been a substantial Lilly stockholder for 73 years, so to focus on the past decade is a mistake.
Read MoreSimons already support library
In response to IBJ’s April 26 editorial, “Simon could score for city library,” I thought it important
for your readers to know members of the Simon family have a long history of supporting Indianapolis’ public library
system and continue to be regular donors.
Donations to Brizzi were appropriate
Over the course of my 41 years as a member of the Indiana Bar, I have worked to help improve the justice system in Marion
County and the state.
Losing Pacers wouldn’t help library
The truth is all it takes to keep [the Pacers] is paying the expenses of a building we would
have to pay for anyway.
Benner column is a must-read
I wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed reading your articles about Butler, especially the [April 19] “in
another universe” piece. As a Butler alum, I still cannot believe we were in the championship and almost won it.
Health by Design deserves publicity
Thank you for [columnist Tom Harton’s] well-thought-out piece in [the April 26] edition on Health by Design. As Kim
Irwin noted, this coalition is primarily aimed at obesity prevention.
Woman performed work as contractor
I read your article on Vida Aventura and Deseri Garcia in the April 12 issue with interest since Garcia once worked for my
company, Team Summit. However, I feel it is important to clarify some of the information contained in the story.
In BriefBack to Top
Work begins on Penn Arts apartment, retail project
Renovation work finally has begun on the building at 16th and Pennsylvania streets. Developer Christopher Piazza found two
equity partners for the project because banks were unwilling to lend.
PROXY CORNER: Brightpoint Inc.
Brightpoint Inc. provides worldwide distribution and integrated logistics services to the wireless communications industry.
Read MoreEntrepreneurial couples banking on demand for art
One art-collecting couple has opened a fine-art gallery in Zionsville, while the founder of a contemporary craft show is planning
a boutique in Irvington.
Speedway native launches professional basketball team
Speedway businessman Tim Hicks will launch the Indianapolis Drive next fall as part of the ABA’s 11th season.
Read MoreCar detailing, oil changes added to Indianapolis International Airport’s repertoire
Such “value added” services are a key part of the airport’s strategy, said John Clark, CEO of the Indianapolis
Airport Authority.