New sign ordinance sails to City-County Council approval
The ordinance as originally proposed included a controversial provision that would have reversed the city’s ban on digital billboards, but the provision was removed earlier this month.
Local Government
Articles
Proposed sign ordinance to tackle height of freestanding business signs
The ordinance, if passed Monday night, will make several big business-sign changes that some residents say have been flying under the radar throughout the approval process.
Challenger sees Carmel’s debt debate as way to topple Brainard
As the mayor seeks a seventh term, the city owes $1.3 billion, according to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.
EDITORIAL: With field set for mayor’s race, it’s time for thoughtful debate
Republican Jim Merritt—who has represented an Indianapolis district in the state Senate for nearly two decades—will take on Mayor Joe Hogsett in what is already proving to be a more spirited contest than the race four years ago.
CIB in ‘early stages’ of search for new leader
Capital Improvement Board President Melina Kennedy said her organization has received “quite a few” local and national applicants to replace longtime Executive Director Barney Levengood.
Council panel kills Hogsett’s cap-and-trade idea on digital billboards
The move was a big victory for neighborhood leaders who had been fighting to keep in place the city’s ban on digital billboards.
Council committee advances $38M financing plan for P.R. Mallory site
A nearly $38 million project to transform much of the abandoned P.R. Mallory site on East Washington Street into the home of Purdue Polytechnic High School and other tenants is finally moving forward.
Indy programs tackling homelessness awarded record federal funding
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded nearly $5.6 million to Indianapolis Continuum of Care organizations—a group of social service agencies and not-for-profits that work together to tackle homelessness,
City says it has blown past goal of transforming 2,000 troubled homes
In the two years since the initiative started, the city of Indianapolis has spent $24.3 million—largely in federal funds—to demolish, build or rehab more than 2,500 homes.
Democratic hopefuls for City-County Council face concerns over party affiliation
At issue is that counties determine party affiliation in municipal elections by using candidates’ past primary votes—and neither ever has voted in a primary election.
Hamilton County councilor to challenge Brainard in primary battle for Carmel mayor’s office
Republican Fred Glynn, who recently was re-elected to the Hamilton County Council, will run against six-term Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard in May's primary.
Senate OKs bill to allow food, beverage tax in three Indy suburbs
The tax would have the biggest impact in Greenwood, where it could generate $2.5 million in 2020 and $2.6 million in 2021.
Council leaders urge legislative hearing on Indy Eleven stadium bill
Republican and Democratic leaders of the City-County Council say they want the opportunity to fully debate a bill that would funnel state and local tax revenue to an 18,000-seat stadium that would be part of a larger mixed-use development.
CICF, Hogsett seek $4M fund to provide wraparound services to formerly homeless
The fund is designed to tackle “the significant lack of service provider capacity” that grew after Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett in 2017 launched an effort to provide 400 more housing units for the homeless.
Westfield sees advanced manufacturing as new growth engine
As Bastian Solutions, a Carmel-based subsidiary of Japan-based Toyota Industries Corp., prepares to open its Westfield facility along U.S. 31, city leaders are working to woo other companies like it.
City-County Council OKs $24M in additional public works spending
Some council members voted for the measure in spite of previously expressed frustration that the measure transfers $300,000 out of the city’s parking meter fund to eventually pay for initiatives that seek to curb homelessness and panhandling.
Embattled Indy Council Democrat Stephen Clay decides to skip reelection bid
Democrats were not planning to endorse him at their upcoming pre-primary convention as their preferred candidate for District 13, which is on the northeast side.
Greenwood exploits creek for ‘riverfront’ district
As part of its effort to add redevelop its downtown, Greenwood is putting an unusual asset to use: a meandering minor waterway that in spots is not much wider than a drainage ditch.
Mount Comfort Road has big development potential for Hancock County
Mount Comfort Road in Hancock County could see an additional half billion dollars in economic impact by 2030 if community leaders capitalize on a plan to develop the busy corridor.
Whitestown manager Dax Norton takes job as government consultant
Norton will be tasked at MS Consultants with helping counties, cities and towns develop systems for day-to-day management of all administrative and governance functions and to raise money for projects and economic development.