Transit referendum spawns efforts to educate, influence
Advocates and opponents of a Nov. 8 referendum that would let the City-County Council increase taxes to pay for a mass transit plan are gearing up to vie for your vote.
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IPL targets 25 city locations for new streetlights
Indianapolis plans to install another 25 streetlights by the end of the year, continuing Mayor Joe Hogsett’s push to light up neighborhoods with higher accident and crime rates.
Hogsett seeks to eliminate city pensions
Mayor Joe Hogsett wants to replace traditional pensions for future employees with a retirement option more like a private-sector 401(k) as a way to help erase the city’s multimillion-dollar deficit.
Hogsett’s first budget proposes small cut in spending
The city aims to spend $12.7 million less than it did last year in an effort to begin reducing the structural deficit.
Trees cleared from senior-living site without proper permits
Developers that stripped a high-profile parcel on the north side of its trees months ago to prepare the site for a $13 million senior living center did so without receiving proper permitting.
Hogsett vows ‘discernible progress’ on tackling urban blight
Mayor Joe Hogsett pledged to use federal Hardest Hit Funds, which the city announced with great fanfare in September 2014, to demolish about 336 properties by the end of 2017.
City to consider forcing sale of parcels for new east-side library
Negotiations with property owners to buy a few parcels of land in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood appears to have stalled. City-County Council members this week will discuss exercising eminent domain.
No criminal charges against city councilman after sexual misconduct investigation
The decision follows a seven-week investigation into an alleged incident involving Democrat Zach Adamson that the accuser said occurred last fall.
City sues emergency dispatch provider for $8.3M
Indianapolis officials say the firm failed to adequately complete its job to install a computer-aided dispatch system for police, fire and emergency use.
Fishers seeking to restrict retail along I-69 corridor
City Councilors soon will weigh tighter rules for stores and restaurants along I-69 to streamline the "hodgepodge" of development standards and give them greater say over new projects.
City considers using one-time burst of tax revenue to reduce deficit
Most of the special disbursement has to be spent on transportation funding, but the city can decide what to do with 25 percent of its $53 million distribution.
City seeks input on new use for Butler-Tarkington fire station
The 84-year-old building at 56th and Illinois streets is expected to draw plenty of interest from restaurateurs due to its proximity to the neighborhood’s prime commercial corner.
Brainard decides against run for Congressional seat
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard on Monday said he’d rather stay in his current job than run for the 5th Congressional District. The Republican ballot opened up earlier this month, and Brainard told IBJ he was considering it.
Council to form task force to study easing taxi regulations
Local cab drivers have complained that current rules put them at a disadvantage when trying to compete with ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft.
Central Indiana showcased as 200 mayors come to town
Mayors, their staffs and policy experts from across the country—about 1,200 conference attendees in all—will attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual summer gathering that runs Friday through Monday.
Weekend mayors’ conference a ‘coup’ for Indianapolis, leaders say
Indianapolis will host the U.S. Conference of Mayors this weekend for the first time in the group’s 84-year history.
Plan for downtown concert venue on old GM plant site called off
REI Investments, the Carmel-based developer who had been under contract to redevelop about half of the site into a $30 million concert venue, has mutually agreed with owner RACER Trust to terminate the plan.
City liable for sign firm’s damages, judge rules
Local billboard company GEFT Outdoor LLC expects to seek millions of dollars from the city of Indianapolis after a federal judge’s ruling that the city’s former sign ordinance was unconstitutional.
UPDATE: Indianapolis to turn on first new streetlight in 35 years
The city plans to end a moratorium on new streetlights by installing 100 lights in areas with high accident and crime rates, and in growing neighborhoods, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday.
County gets $59M as part of local road-funding package
The distribution is part of $505 million that county auditors have distributed to local government units statewide, $435 million of which can be used for transportation funding.