CIB finances improving, though concerns remain
Approaching the end of 2009, Indianapolis’ cash-strapped Capital Improvement Board is on much more solid financial footing.
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Sign proposed for IBJ building requires public hearing
The parent company of Indianapolis Business Journal has filed plans to add a sign with an electronic-message component outside
the newspaper’s headquarters at 41 E. Washington St.
Members of City-County Council form task force to study CIB financial problems
A new task force formed this month is charged with recommending solutions to the financial problems of the Indianapolis
Capital Improvement Board and its related convention and tourism issues.
Suburban counties building outer loop to avoid Indianapolis
Counties wanting to speed traffic among suburbs are building highways to avoid having to travel into Indianapolis. The result,
a 100-mile outer loop beyond Interstate 465, won’t be completed for years, and it won’t be built to consistent standards,
but it might help ease congestion.
City Market board sought 3-year closure for redevelopment
Board president says he quit after Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard declined proposal to shut down historic landmark until
2013 for major renovation.
Indy Chamber of Commerce endorses smoking ban
The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind a tougher workplace smoking ban up for consideration tonight
by the City-County Council.
City official: ‘We’re obligated’ to weigh privatizing some stadium, convention duties
Mayoral Chief of Staff Paul Okeson said the city isn’t sure it makes sense to privatize operations now handled by
the Capital Improvement Board, “but we’re obligated on behalf of the taxpayer to find out.”
Consultant: Indianapolis water utility lax in overseeing Veolia
The city too often relied on the Department of Waterworks’ board, on consultants and on the private
operator, Veolia Water, rather than on the department’s own staff “to ensure safe and efficient
operation, maintenance and management” of Indianapolis Water. That’s one of several critical
findings of a consultant hired by the department and filed as part of a 35-percent rate-hike request
pending before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
EDITORIAL: City water utility in over its head
As missteps by the city’s water utility threaten to drown local ratepayers with dramatically higher bills, Mayor
Greg Ballard’s administration is exploring a complete overhaul of the system. The mayor’s initiative can’t produce results soon enough.
City strengthens building-permit process
The pre-permit review could add nearly three weeks to the current permitting process
CIB improves financial situation with more cuts
The Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board’s dire financial situation might be improving enough that it may forego the
first installment of a $27 million state loan.
West Lafayette delays switch to metered trash pickup
West Lafayette’s city council has delayed implementation of a new “pay as you throw” garbage collection system.
Stimulus to brighten city’s traffic lights
The bright lights of Indiana’s largest city are getting brighter—at hundreds of street intersections, anyway.
Mayor seeks your suggestions
The newly created Indy
Ideas Web site and the Neighborhood Association Council are both intended to encourage participation in local government.
Green year for city hall, businesses
It’s been a year since Republican Mayor Greg Ballard launched the City’s Office of Sustainability. On Oct. 6,
Ballard and his sustainability director, Karen Haley, outlined accomplishments in the first year.
Controversial downtown project to get tax abatement
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission approved a 10-year tax abatement Wednesday afternoon for a controversial
public-private plan to redevelop a vacant downtown office building.
IT consultant up for tax abatement
A city board this week will consider tax abatements worth about $47,000 over six years for Indianapolis-based IT consultant
Apparatus Inc., which is moving its headquarters to the former WFYI building at 1401 N. Meridian St.
Council to hear plan for stricter smoking ban
A proposal that would prevent smokers from lighting up in all indoor public places in Marion County is expected to meet fierce
resistance from bar owners who oppose a stricter smoking ban.
Noblesville sacks economic development director
Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear has fired the city’s economic development director, Kevin Kelly, after Kelly had
been on the job for about two years.
City receives host of sale, privatization ideas for water, sewer utilities
Officials grappling with a water utility deep in debt and a sewer infrastructure needing upwards of $2 billion in
upgrades were swamped with proposals about how to fix the mess.