The City-County Council on Monday evening approved a major piece of the Hogsett administration’s plan to lure a Major League Soccer team to Indianapolis, advancing a proposal for a new professional sports development area intended to fund a soccer-first stadium.
After a three-hour meeting in a room packed with supporters of the Indy Eleven, a City-County Council committee on Tuesday narrowly advanced a proposal for a taxing district on the east side of downtown to support a potential Major League Soccer stadium.
Under the new law, owners of apartments and single-family homes are exempted from the tax unless they decide to opt in to paying the tax, leaving potential for a large decrease in available funds.
Mayor Joe Hogsett’s plan to create an additional professional sports development area in downtown Indianapolis was introduced to the City-County Council on Monday with two additional council sponsors—and questions over the committee assignment for the proposal.
The Hogsett administration has found a sponsor on the City-County Council for the mayor’s plan to create a new taxing district that could be used to fund a new downtown soccer stadium. Without a council sponsor, the measure could not move forward.
Following the mayor’s announcement, some Indianapolis councilors expressed apprehension about abandoning a soccer stadium already in the works. But the council’s majority Democratic leaders have not weighed in.
Jackson, a city-county councilor of 10 years and a not-for-profit CEO, will finish out Sen. Jean Breaux’s term. Democrats will hold a second caucus to determine who will fill Breaux’s place on the November ballot to serve the next four-year term.
The bill, now headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb for consideration, would let some property owners opt out of paying the tax and cap the revenue but let the city expand the district.
Aaron Freeman, a Senate Republican and former Indianapolis city-county councilor, has become known for frequent legislation that seeks to derail policies and plans implemented by Democrat-controlled city-county government in Indianapolis.
Brown, who represents District 10 in the northeast corner of Marion County, replaces former councilor Zach Adamson in the role of second in command
In an interview with IBJ, the outgoing council vice president reflected on his time as the first openly gay leader to hold countywide office in Indianapolis and on his efforts to improve landlord accountability, animal welfare and environmental protection.
The council also approved tens of millions of dollars in bonds to support the redevelopment of Old City Hall, a demolition of the former Jail I building and renovation of portions of the City-County Building. Also passed Monday was a plan to create a study commission on the use of artificial intelligence.
A new proposal to impose a fee on downtown property owners for initiatives aimed at public safety, cleanliness and homelessness in the Mile Square is gaining steam among Democrats on the City-County Council.
A City-County Council committee on Tuesday unanimously recommended approval of a measure that would allow up to $26 million to be spent to acquire the new Broad Ripple Park Family Center.
The proposal from Republican Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, which would create a study commission on the city’s usage of AI, was passed unanimously by the Rules and Public Policy Committee.
The City-County Council Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee heard testimony from over a dozen downtown residents and representatives of prominent companies before passing the proposal, 8-3.
If approved, the bonds are expected to pay for the demolition to demolish a former Marion County Jail 1 and renovate portions of the City-County Building ahead of a planned consolidation of city employees from satellite offices.
The proposal would result in a $250 flat fee on owners of single-family, residential parcels, while other properties would be charged 0.1681% of assessed value.
Election results show Democrats capturing 19 of the council’s 25 seats and Republicans gaining one post.
The race for an open seat pits 23-year-old Democratic upstart Nick Roberts against Republican Natalie Goodwin, a 34-year-old mother of three.
