Outgoing Mayor Ballard’s new mission: energy security
Ballard is trying to spark a national conversation about how America’s dependence on oil is killing our troops—and how we can fix it.
Local Government
Articles
KENNEDY: Now comes the hard part–governing
How will mayor-elect Joe Hogsett and the new City-County Council provide even the most basic public services, from public safety to paving streets to picking up trash, in the face of steady erosion of the resources needed to deliver those services?
CIB signs pact for $50 million Pacers practice facility
The five-story, 130,000-square-foot St. Vincent Center will be built downtown across the street from Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
City still on hook for $11.2M on abandoned justice project
Taxpayers still owe $11.2 million to consultants and contractors involved with an abandoned plan to build a new criminal justice center for Marion County.
Hogsett taps ex-Ballard deputy to lead transition team
The mayor-elect appointed Indy Chamber CEO Michael Huber, a former deputy mayor for economic development under Ballard, as one of three co-chairs of his transition team.
State’s 200th birthday bash next year expected to boost tourism statewide
Leaders hope projects planned for Indiana’s bicentennial celebration—including a new state park inn, a downtown Indianapolis art plaza and hundreds of smaller efforts statewide—will leave a big impact on future generations.
Hogsett: I won’t ‘roll back’ Ballard’s legacy
Republican Mayor Greg Ballard and Democratic Mayor-elect Joe Hogsett came together Wednesday as a show of bipartisanship. Ballard ensured Hogsett’s team a smooth transition.
Warehousing firm plans $11.7M expansion near downtown
Merchandise Warehouse Co. Inc. is planning an expansion and renovation of its warehouse facilities just south of downtown, allowing it to add 65 employees over the next five years.
Control of City-County Council at stake in upcoming election
Low turnout for the mayor’s race and redrawn district maps could make a big difference in the most competitive council races in Districts 2, 3, 6, 16, 19 and 21.
Hamilton County cities pay for elections with virtually no ballot choices
Republicans dominate Hamilton County politics and Democrats barely bother to participate.
$60M mixed-use project planned for Rangeline
The ex-Party Time Rental warehouse has been an eyesore for years, but Carmel officials finally seem ready to OK a plan to transform the 6.5-acre site.
Northern suburbs investing in new websites
City, town and county officials are investing tens of thousands of dollars to revamp their dated municipal websites and make information easier for residents to obtain.
Auditor sues city, BlueIndy over car-sharing contract
Marion County Auditor Julie Voorhies has sued the city of Indianapolis over its contract with BlueIndy, saying the city illegally paid $6 million to the electric car-sharing service. Mayor’s spokeswoman calls lawsuit a “stunt.”
Zionsville eyes $600K for nature center, temporary town hall
Mayor Jeff Papa says the town could address two potential needs with one building as officials weigh what to do with the current town hall.
Hogsett’s claim about spending cuts isn’t quite accurate
The Democrat has said repeatedly that he spent less year after year while serving as secretary of state and U.S. attorney. But while his spending was generally lower than the amounts appropriated to the office, they weren’t always less than the year before.
Pacers go into new season with revenue streams headed in right direction
Sales of season tickets, merchandise and sponsorships are all up. Attendance is expected to match—or even exceed—the 2013-2014 season. And the stadium deal the Pacers struck with the city’s Capital Improvement Board last year has freed the franchise to make investments it hopes will pay dividends long term.
Mayoral foes: City must draw residents to bolster tax revenue
Attracting higher-wage residents is key to future growth as city revenues have stagnated and local governments have become increasingly reliant on income taxes. Republican Chuck Brewer and Democrat Joe Hogsett are proposing ways to bolster Indy neighborhoods.
Hogsett solidifies fundraising advantage over Brewer
Democrat Joe Hogsett bolstered his cash advantage in the Indianapolis mayoral race against Republican Chuck Brewer, reporting donations of more than $1.56 million in his most recent campaign finance filing.
City billboard suit spooks Montage on Mass developers
A federal suit filed by a local billboard firm claiming a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision makes the city’s sign ordinance unconstitutional has pushed discussion of another project’s electronic-mesh art display to next year.
Early voting off to slow start in Indianapolis election
In a possible precursor to another low-turnout election, fewer than 3,000 people had already voted or requested absentee ballots by early this week for the Nov. 3 municipal contest.