Indianapolis Business Journal

In the weeks since the city announced its $160 million deal to help subsidize the Indiana Pacers and Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the one person we haven't heard much from is team owner Herb Simon. In this week's IBJ, Greg Andrews presents a wide-ranging interview with the billionaire that reveals his succession plans and details about team revenue and costs. Also this week, Scott Olson has the scoop on a planned building boom at Butler University. And in Focus, Anthony Schoettle looks at the new ride-share services in Indy.

Mayor Greg Ballard months ago announced plans for the nation's first all-electric car sharing service, but they have hit an imposing speed bump. Kathleen McLaughlin reveals the obstacle that could pass $16 million in costs to IPL customers. Also in this week's issue, Anthony Schoettle takes an indepth look at the Indiana Pacers' financial situation, which was brightening even before the team's recent subsidy deal with the city. And in Focus, Jeff Newman explores the architectural salvage niche and how players are adapting to economic trends.

In this week's issue, Chris O'Malley digs into a federal lawsuit between Indiana body shop owners and car insurance companies, who are accused of squeezing compensation for collision-repair shops to the point of collapse. Also this week, Scott Olson previews an unexpected menu addition for Indy-based Steak n Shake. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry praises a congregation of theatrical works in the area with unconventional takes on men of the cloth.

In this week’s issue, Anthony Schoettle examines how private colleges like Notre Dame could feel the impact of a groundbreaking labor ruling that classifies student athletes as employees. Also in IBJ, J.K. Wall explains how IU Health has been able to spread its in-house surgical talent outside the state. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry explores how Eskenazi Hospital has made contemporary art a hallmark of its interior design.

This week in IBJ, Dan Human takes you behind the scenes in the war against cybercrime, visiting the secret, reinforced downtown bunker housing security firm Rook Security Inc. Also in this issue, Kathleen McLaughlin begins charting the long and circuitous journey most central Indiana counties must take before they can host ballot initiative for funding mass transit. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry reflects on the first five years of the Cabaret at the Columbia Club.

Jim Irsay's arrest and revelations about his health have expedited questions about succession planning for the Indianapolis Colts. IBJ's Anthony Schoettle explores the financial implications of keeping the team in the family. Andrea Davis takes the long view of Westfield's massive investment in Grand Park. And in A&E, sports columnist Mike Lopresti gets the inside scoop on the Milan Miracle on its 60th anniversary from Bobby Plump and Ray Craft, who recreate the winning shot on IBJ video.

In this week's issue, Chris O'Malley provides a rare window into a fight between Toyota dealers in the Indianapolis area. Ed Martin Toyota has been given the green light to move from Anderson to Fishers, which has set horns blaring at nearby Butler Toyota (as well as at two other Indy dealers). Also, Greg Andrews examines the decline of Washington Square Mall, an unusual dud in the Simon Property Group portfolio. And in A&E, Lou Harry pays a visit to Rockstone Pizzeria & Pub in Fishers, which lives up to its name.

In this issue, Cory Schouten takes a hard, in-depth look at the business dealings of Ersal Ozdemir, whose development and construction firm Keystone Group has taken on projects benefiting from millions of dollars in public subsidies. Critics paint Ozdemir as a politically connected opportunist who has been able to bend the system for his benefit. Also this week, Kathleen McLaughlin explores planned changes to U.S. 31 that are worrying Carmel residents. And in A&E, Lou Harry gives northsiders a primer on enjoying ice cream purveyor Graeter's.

When ExactTarget was purchased by Salesforce.com, we initially were worried that it could leave town. Now comes news from reporter Scott Olson that ExactTarget is evaluating sites downtown where it could build a major office tower, both consolidating its local workforce and making room for growth. Also in this issue, Anthony Schoettle delves into whether the Indy Eleven needs a new soccer stadium for the franchise's long-term success. And in A&E, Lou Harry discusses the trouble he has warming up to the work of Robert Indiana, now on display at IMA.

This week, Chris O'Malley reveals a new niche opening up in weather forecasting that could make the future of TV meteorologists more gloomy—Internet-based independent forecasters who provide more detailed data, sometimes for a price. Also in this issue, Dan HUman explains how a lack of infrastructure is bottlenecking Indiana's wind-powered energy market. And in A&E, Lou Harry takes the temperature of new Fountain Square nightspot Thunderbird.

We only learned a few weeks ago about the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Indy (set for April 25-27), but Anthony Schoettle reports in the latest edition of IBJ that the effort by local tourism officials to land the mammoth event began more than a decade ago. Also this week, Chris O'Malley explores charges by some investors in Angie's List that the consumer review service has significantly changed its business model and concealed fundamental obstacles to reaching a profit. And in A&E, Lou Harry reviews the IRT's take on three short stories by Kurt Vonnegut.

This week, IBJ unveils the members of its Forty Under 40 Class of 2014—a collection of unusually accomplished young professionals who already are making vital contributions to life in Indianapolis. Also in this issue, IBJ's Dan Human points in ExactTarget's new direction—providing the medium for electronic gadgets to communicate with their owners. And in A&E, Lou Harry takes a road trip to Perfect North Slopes in southern Indiana, which has benefitted from the deluge of white stuff this year and has become a perfectly viable entertainment option.

This week, Scott Olson reports that downtown soon could have a new concert venue the size of Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville. REI Investments, which co-developed the JW Marriott, is behind the plan, which would incorporate at least part of the former GM stamping plant on the western edge of downtown. Also in this issue, Kathleen McLaughlin details a push by the Indy Chamber to create a commuter tax that would hit outsiders who work in Marion County. And in A&E, sports columnist Mike Lopresti reveals how Carmel High School has been able to create a 27-year dynasty in state girls swimming.

More than 20 school districts in central Indiana face a transportation crisis, due to a recently passed state law that is draining tax funds from their bus budgets. IBJ's Andrea Davis explains how they're trying to cope. Also in this issue, Anthony Schoettle regroups with organizers of Indy's bid for the 2018 Super Bowl to take their temperature on how bad weather this year could affect our chances. And on our editorial page, IBJ takes a stand on the effort to amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

There's no more pressing safety issue in sports than head injuries, and yet the diagnosis of a concussion can be slow and subjective. This week, Anthony Schoettle reveals how two Indiana University professors are perfecting a portable system that can test for concussions quickly and objectively. Also this week, Chris O'Malley discovers where all the radio DJs have gone since the automation of the commercial airwaves: They're doing Internet podcasts and enjoying the independence of being their own bosses. And in A&E, Lou Harry assays the IMA's contemporary design galleries.

We've been so busy making googly eyes at the spanking-new Eskenazi Hospital that we've forgotten about the 1.2 million square feet Wishard Hospital complex that it replaced. But reporter Scott Olson has the scoop on how Indiana University plans to reuse—and in some cases demolish—those properties to eventually create a life sciences hub. Also this week, Chris O'Malley takes a spin in the futuristic, $65,000 Tesla Model S to see what all the fuss is about. And in A&E, sports columnist Mike Lopresti examines the messy art of arena-naming.