Mayor vetoes hotel-worker blacklisting proposal
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has vetoed a proposed ordinance aimed at hiring practices by local hotels, the mayor's office announced Thursday afternoon.
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City decides on half block for transit hub
The Mayor’s Office and local mass transit leaders have reached consensus on a site for a $30 million downtown transit center. The preferred location is a city-owned surface parking lot along Washington Street between the City-County Building and Marion County Jail.
Developers prefer low-rise apartments in downtown Indianapolis
Building codes add more expense to high-rise projects.
Commission to recommend more limits on local TIFs
A study commission on tax-increment financing will vote Thursday evening on a set of policy recommendations that would limit the use of TIF districts in Indianapolis.
Kroger convinces council member of need for gas station
Kroger Co. will add a gas station to its store at West 86th Street and Township Line Road after successfully lobbying an Indianapolis City-County Council member who'd threatened to stand in its way.
TIF study highlights district shortfalls
The tax-increment finance district created around the former United Airlines maintenance hub at Indianapolis International Airport doesn’t generate enough revenue to meet its annual debt payment. Neither do several other area TIF districts.
Mayor mulls City-County Building management deal
Mayor Greg Ballard is giving the private sector its first shot at managing the City-County Building since the downtown structure opened 50 years ago. The city and county lease it from the Indianapolis-Marion County Building Authority, but Ballard’s office has posted a request for information from real estate firms interested in a 30-year operating agreement.
Domestic-partner benefits proposal introduced
Health-care benefits would be offered to the domestic partners of Indianapolis city workers under a proposal introduced Monday night to the City-County Council.
UPS plans $10 million upgrade on northwest side
United Parcel Service Inc. is planning a $10 million modernization project for a regional transportation hub in Indianapolis and is seeking tax incentives to help make it happen. The project would help the company retain 750 local jobs.
Proposal calls for city planners to consider non-drivers
Planners designing roads would formally be required to look beyond the needs of motorists and pedestrians—to also consider bicyclists and public transportation users—under an ordinance to be considered Monday night by the City-County Council.
Indy’s sewer-fee forgiveness ruled constitutional by high court
Indianapolis didn’t violate the Constitution when it forgave sewer-system debt owed by some homeowners while refusing to give refunds to those who had already paid, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.
Smoking-ban lawsuits face long odds, legal expert says
A constitutional law professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis said he doubts 10 bar owners have a chance fighting the city’s smoking ban in court. The ban goes into effect Friday.
Indianapolis council to consider domestic-partner benefits
City-County Councilor Angela Mansfield filed the proposal covering city employees that would make same-sex and heterosexual couples who live together eligible for health insurance benefits.
Playoff run pushes Pacers closer to profitability
The Indiana Pacers’ playoff run and a decreased player payroll—along with $10 million from the city’s Capital Improvement Board—have brought the team closer to breaking even this year, but not out of the red, sports business experts say.
Companies seek solar-panel lease contracts from city
The City-County Council is set to hear a proposal by two companies to lease space on city-owned rooftops and sell electricity generated by solar panels installed in those spots.
City aims to attract additional sponsors
Third Street Partners, a marketing firm that hoped to land half a million dollars in corporate sponsorships for the city of Indianapolis, has received a four-year contract extension to bring home red meat.
Former council president to become city’s chief of staff
Chris Cotterill, chief of staff to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, plans to leave the administration and return to private business, the city announced Wednesday. City-County Councilman Ryan Vaughn has resigned from his seat to replace Cotterill.
Indianapolis public safety chief leaving position
Frank Straub is resigning after more than a year of criticism over the city police department's handling of evidence in a fatal crash involving an officer.
Indianapolis expects savings from sweeping energy project
The city is guaranteed $7.5 million in savings over 15 years from a $18 million upgrade of city facilities, and the savings are expected to accumulate further.
Mayor signs tougher public smoking ordinance
The ordinance, which takes effect at 6 a.m. on June 1, expands existing citywide restrictions against indoor public smoking to include bowling alleys, hotel rooms and most bars.