Downtown TIF district awash in cash
The Indianapolis downtown TIF district is so flush with cash that the mayor can cover all its debt payments, fund two layers of reserves, and still have tens of millions to spend at his discretion.
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With moratorium looming, filings surge for new gas stations
Since early March, when city officials announced plans to establish the moratorium in commercial areas adjacent to neighborhoods, the Indianapolis Department of Code Enforcement has received 18 applications to build at locations that would be subject to the ban.
Council committee shoots down plan for justice center
Mayor Greg Ballard's $1.6 billion justice center project suffered what could be a fatal blow in an Indianapolis City-County Council committee Tuesday night.
Chamber, neighborhood group endorse justice center
The organizations see the controversial, $1.6 billion project as a catalyst for redevelopment downtown. A City-County Council committee is set to weigh the proposed development deal Tuesday night.
Judge sides with city in dispute over $45M Covanta recycling center
Companies and a private citizen who sued the city of Indianapolis over a recycling deal with Covanta lacked legal standing to bring their complaint, a Marion County judge has ruled.
Justice center bidding process yielded single eligible firm
After running a closed-door procurement in which the three bidders were allowed to shape the city’s final requirements for building the Marion County Justice Center, two proposals came in above the city’s ceiling payment of $50 million for the first full year.
Special review panel advances justice center plan
A special review committee, the Marion County Justice Complex Board, voted 4-1 Wednesday in favor of a 35-year, $1.6 billion deal with WMB Heartland Justice Partners, moving the issue closer to a vote by the full City-County Council.
Indy Eleven’s new goal: city support for stadium
Indy Eleven hired multiple Statehouse lobbyists in its quest for a publicly financed stadium, but the biggest bang for the soccer team’s buck might come from winning over Mayor Greg Ballard.
Untested ‘one-bin’ trash/recycling solution on way
Under a plan by Indianapolis and Covanta, consumers would throw everything into one trash bin and automated sorting equipment would pluck out recyclables. Opponents say the early experience of Montgomery, Alabama, provides evidence that the sorting technology isn’t effective.
City could be short $37M on justice center financing, analysis says
Mayor Greg Ballards are overblown, according to an analysis by the City-County Council. The city could face shortfalls in 2018 through 2026 ranging from less than $1 million to $10 million.
Ballard, like predecessor, doesn’t have city email address
The mayor declined to set up a city email account when he took office in 2008, and he does not use one to this day.
Upscale neighborhood in Fishers gets go-ahead
City officials on Monday approved rezoning 150 acres along Southeastern Parkway for a 277-unit development with homes from $275,000 to $450,000.
Mayor Ballard vetoes ‘Homeless Bill of Rights’
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has vetoed a proposal supporters called a “Homeless Bill of Rights,” saying it would have created liability issues.
Council President Maggie Lewis campaign reports thin on details
Indianapolis City-County Council President Maggie Lewis received more than $10,000 from her campaign over the past three years as reimbursement for various expenses. Her campaign reported almost all of the payments with no other description of purpose than a one-letter code, “O” for operations, as required by law.
City still crunching numbers on justice center savings
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s deputies are finally revealing the numbers behind the promise that Marion County can build a $1.7 billion criminal justice center without a tax increase. And they are a work in progress.
Indianapolis preschool scholarship program becomes law
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has signed the city's proposed Preschool Scholarship Program ordinance into law and the program has begun accepting applications.
Ballard appoints Kimmick as city controller
Matthew Kimmick, who starts the new job Monday, has been interim controller since October, when Jason Dudich left the role to become chief of staff.
Ballard: Polluters dawdling on brownfield cleanup
The owners of more than 20 polluted industrial sites in Indianapolis are hiding behind the legal protections of a state-run voluntary program to delay cleanup, Mayor Greg Ballard alleges in a letter to state regulators.
Council members: Delay justice center decision until after election
The odds the Indianapolis City-County Council will approve plans for a new criminal justice center this year are tanking fast.
Third defendant pleads guilty on eve of Land Bank trial
A third defendant in an alleged kickback scheme involving the Indy Land Bank has pleaded guilty on the eve of a trial set for the first week of March.