Indianapolis golf course contracts up for bid
Mayor Greg Ballard’s
administration is requesting proposals to manage all but one of Indianapolis’
13 municipal courses.
City Government
Articles
EDITORIAL: City’s fiscal creativity deserves support
In trying times, people and businesses often have to get creative to make ends meet. The same should hold true for local government. That’s why we commend city leaders for thinking outside the box in considering two initiatives to cut costs and generate public revenue.
City considering new parking meter plan
City officials are considering several proposals designed to wrestle more revenue out of
the city’s roughly 4,000 parking meters, including
the possibility of a long-term lease to a private firm, a move that netted Chicago more than $1 billion
last year.
$65M development deal would cost Capital Improvement Board
The Capital Improvement Board could be forced to give up one of its most profitable assets so the city can pull off a $65-million
public-private downtown development deal. The city has agreed to help a developer revitalize the vacant former Bank One operations
center in part by acquiring an adjacent
parking garage for $18.5 million.
EnerDel poised to get jolt of stimulus juice
Within weeks, EnerDel expects to receive notification that it’s getting as much as $480 million in financing under a U.S.
Department of Energy program aimed at fostering advanced vehicle manufacturing.
EDITORIAL: Project near MSA may be worth the risk
The city has unveiled a dramatic plan for new housing and retail development to revitalize the old Market Square Arena site.
Despite some shortcomings, the project deserves a chance to give the stagnant area a boost.
$65M downtown development deal raises questions
A $65 million public-private plan for the redevelopment of a vacant downtown office building is raising eyebrows for its unusual
approach and potential risk to taxpayers. The plan calls for a private developer to acquire the former Bank One operations
center, surface parking lots and an adjacent
parking garage from a private owner for $18.5 million, then sell the 1,680-space garage to the city for $18.5 million.
Transit, sustainable development likely to be themes in rescue of near-north neighborhood
Local leaders and, soon, a national team of experts, are quietly developing a strategy to revitalize Marion County’s biggest
concentration of brownfield sites and impoverished urban neighborhoods, centered at East 22nd Street and the Monon Trail.
Arts Council faces grants-divvying dilemma
The Arts Council of Indianapolis faces the unenviable task of divvying up less than $1 million in city grants for the arts, compared with $2.15 million that was awarded last year.
Velodrome plans in limbo
While the Marian College cycling team has been off this month hunting national championships in Colorado, a plan by school officials to manage the Major Taylor Velodrome has not yet won support from Indy Parks.
Visible progress in the city hides other troubles
Indianapolis still looks like a city with momentum, despite the dismal economy. But appearances can be deceiving.
Mayor hopes to fix budget by offering naming rights to city-owned properties
City officials want to raise money by selling sponsorships, advertising and possibly even naming-rights deals for city-owned
properties as they attempt to chip away at a projected $23 million deficit in the municipal budget.
Unigov 2.0 isn’t just about savings
Saving money may be the bottom-line reason for reforming local government, but that’s only one of the benefits.
City’s environmental effort gets boost
The McKinney Family Foundation has created a fund to support initiatives of Mayor Greg Ballard’s 3-month-old Office of Sustainability, an environmental initiative that promotes projects ranging from energy-efficient city buildings to bicycle paths.
Sharing a vision for a better Indianapolis
Here are six recommendations to help Mayor Greg Ballard clarify his vision for Indianapolis as the city begins its second
year under his leadership.
Struggling City Market loses subsidy
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has notified the City Market that the financially strapped city is phasing out its subsidies
to the historic downtown fixture, which account for one-quarter of the market’s nearly $1 million budget.
Arts advocates seek money from Indy government
The Arts Council of Indianapolis is leading talks with city councilors, Deputy Mayor Nick Weber and the chiefs of top cultural
organizations about how to create a bigger pot of revenue for the arts.
Ex-Noblesville official paved way for project after resigning post
A quick turnaround from city official to high-paid land-use lobbyist raises questions for some critics of revolving-door
government.
‘Smoke free’ needs to be the law in all Hoosier public places
If Indianapolis is going to be a first-class city, it needs to have a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law.
Smoke Free Indy advocates mount new campaign
Anti-smoking advocates are organizing a new attempt to strengthen Indianapolis’ ban against smoking in the workplace.