Capital Improvement Board projects $41.6M budget deficit in 2021
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County approved a $132.3 million budget for 2021 during its Friday board meeting—a reduction of 26.4% from this year’s budget.
Tourism & Hospitality
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In Big Ten cities, fall without college football is crushing economic blow
The cancellation of the fall season promises to wallop businesses who count on those fall weekends for survival, and the economic impact likely will measure in the tens of millions in many of the small towns across the sprawling conference.
Ratio principal Bill Browne talks Pan Am Plaza project
Ratio is architect for the $550 million project by Kite Realty Group Trust that includes a Signia Hilton, an expansion of the Indiana Convention Center and—eventually—a second, 600-room Hilton-branded hotel.
Forecast says U.S. hotel occupancy might not recover until 2023
Leisure demand rises, but hotels are sorely missing business travel and group events like conferences and weddings.
State announces $10M fund to help arts, cultural organizations
The program was developed to assist and preserve the Hoosier Hospitality destinations and organizations that help enhance the quality of life the state offers.
No masks, no distance: Pandemic wedding horrors for vendors
Now that weddings have slowly cranked up under a patchwork of ever-shifting state and local restrictions, planners, photographers and other bridal vendors have a heap of new worries in the middle of the pandemic.
Performance Racing Industry hoping to hold December trade show
More than 940 exhibitors have already registered for the event, which could bring upwards of 67,000 people to the Indiana Convention Center and generate an economic impact of $65.2 million. But county health officials haven’t yet approved the event.
Eldorado Resorts has shaky record of horse-track management
To say Indiana’s horse racing industry had concerns about Eldorado Resorts Inc. taking over the state’s two horse-racing casinos would be putting it mildly.
Proposed 40-story Signia at Pan Am Plaza to shake up hotel landscape
The $300 million hotel will be the most expensive and elaborate new lodging project built in the city since the $450 million JW Marriott complex was completed in 2011. And it will compete directly with the JW.
Carmel cancels Christkindlmarkt, ice skating due to coronavirus concerns
The two winter attractions drew more than 300,000 people to the northern Indianapolis suburb over a four-month period last winter, the city said.
City, Kite reach deal for $550M Pan Am Plaza project—with up to 2-year delay
The city will not subsidize construction of Kite’s two hotels on the site but will ask the City-County Council to authorize a $150 million bond to finance an addition to the Indiana Convention Center.
Hotels at Pan Am Plaza to create 600 jobs paying at least $14 an hour
The project, which includes plans for a $125 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, would also create 2,500 construction jobs before completion in 2025.
Five things to know about the planned redevelopment of Pan Am Plaza
The project, expected to cost as much as $550 million to construct, has been in the works for years as Kite and the city worked to reach an agreement.
Art of Design: What makes a great vacation home?
Vacation homes should project the lighter side of life. Playful, comfortable, easygoing and casual are all good adjectives for a vacation home.
Downtown restaurants, conventions could be stuck in downward spiral
The loss in convention business due to COVID-19 is starving downtown restaurants of customers. And without great restaurants, Indy isn’t as attractive as a convention destination.
Firms that stage trade shows retool themselves for remote events
Firms that specialize in making conferences, fundraisers and other events memorable and financially successful must pivot on a dime to stay relevant in the coronavirus era.
Q&A with Hotel Carmichael chef Joe Hsu
The immigrant from Taiwan is deep in research and development for his new role as executive chef at Vivante, a French restaurant opening in Carmel’s luxurious Hotel Carmichael on Aug. 4.
Hogsett says city resilient, downtown to rise again
The mayor, who is in the first year of his second term, acknowledged the challenges—and even some naivete when it came to the riots. But Hogsett, a Democrat, said he’s confident in the ability of residents, the business community and leaders to address them.
City plans to continue statewide tourism campaign despite rollback in reopening
Visit Indy said about $75,000 of the $1 million budgeted for the “You’ve Earned It” advertising campaign has so far been spent, generating about $400,000 in visitor spending.
Indy 500 blackout lifted; 500 Festival Parade, other events called off
The decision to allow local fans to watch the race live comes one day after Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced plans to reduce attendance capacity for this year’s race to 25%.