Children’s museum reports record attendance in 2019
New exhibits such as “PAW Patrol Adventure Play” helped the museum trump its previous record-breaking tally in 2009, when it featured a King Tut exhibit and the launch of “Take Me There: Egypt.”
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Indiana Dunes National Park to build erosion-fighting sand traps
Officials are asking the public to steer clear of the area as heavy equipment is used to install and fill the sand traps and fight erosion during a time of high water levels on the lake.
10 news events that changed central Indiana in 2019
There was no shortage of huge news stories in central Indiana this year—with Roger Penske’s purchase of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the launching of the Red Line and the closing of trucking giant Celadon.
Indiana ski resort closes slopes amid warm spell
The resort has long used snow machines to supplement natural snowfall, but the temperature must be 30 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for the process to work.
Indianapolis lands major convention for people who make decisions about conventions
The American Society of Association Executives expects draw more than 6,000 people to Indianapolis for its four-day conference in August 2026, putting Indianapolis under the microscope of key decision-makers for their respective associations.
Ike & Jonesy’s to close as building owner develops boutique hotel
After a 36-year run, the owners of the downtown nightlife institution say it will close after its New Year’s Eve party and a “Last Hurrah Celebration.”
Big Ten football title game draws near-record crowd
The contest was only the second deemed to be a sellout by the Big Ten in the title game’s history. The other came in 2015 when Michigan State played Iowa in a battle that featured two teams ranked in the top five.
IBJ Podcast: Pat Sullivan makes business case for store’s North Pole train
Sullivan talks with podcast host Mason King about why the Sullivan Express is so fun for him and his Sullivan Hardware staff but also why it makes business sense to keep expanding the attraction.
Neighboring east-side hotels sold for $30.5M to Los Angeles firm
The three hotels at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 465 have nearly 500 rooms between them. The largest, a Marriott that serves as an overflow hotel for big downtown events, is slated for a renovation that could run between $10 million and $20 million.
Carmel city council delays decision on parade seat-saving issue
Carmel’s City Council members decided Monday to rework a proposed compromise between early-bird parade enthusiasts and businesses that are tired of dealing with the unintended impacts of their clutter.
Tourist destination Amish Acres set to close at year’s end
The northern Indiana tourist site is set to close at the end of the year after 50 years in business, according to an economic development official in Nappanee.
Federal investigators: Coast Guard ignored duck boat safety proposals
The National Transportation Safety Board criticized the U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday for ignoring suggestions they say might have prevented last year’s Missouri accident that killed 17 people, including nine members of an Indiana family.
Convention industry swells, but future hinges on Pan Am development
Visit Indy, which isn’t involved in the Pan Am negotiations, is in “somewhat of a holding pattern until we have the exact details finalized and presented to us,” Vice President Chris Gahl said.
Light, video show on Circle to pay patriotic tribute nightly
The curtain is set to be raised on a nightly five-minute patriotic light and sound presentation that local officials say will cast Monument Circle in a whole new hue and could draw tens of thousands of people annually to the iconic landmark.
IEDC president to lead state’s new tourism agency
State lawmakers passed legislation during the 2019 session that allowed the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, which is under Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and funded by the state budget, to become a quasi-governmental corporation as of July 1, 2020.
Indianapolis to host final event of global food sport competition
The 2020 World Food Championships Final Table event is the culmination of annual competition involving more than 1,500 home cooks, chefs and professional cooking teams from more than 40 states and 15 countries. The World Food Champion will be crowned at the event.
Startup aims to provide digital ‘Green Book’ for minority travelers
LaToya Johnson launched AwayZone, which she describes as a kind of digital Green Book, in Indianapolis in late 2017. She already has commitments from dozens of corporations to pay for monthly subscriptions to be a part of the app and has a plan to boost revenue to $4.1 million by 2022.
White Lodging founder gives $16M boost to Catholic schools
The Bruce and Beth White Family Foundation’s gift is expected to bring operational and academic support directly to 10 elementary and high schools in the Diocese of Gary, benefiting about 3,300 students.
With 17 hotels in downtown pipeline, experts doubt they’ll all make it
If all of the plans move forward, downtown would see an unprecedented deluge of new rooms. But developers and lenders are fretting over whether the market can support them.
Indianapolis Zoo gets $4M grant to establish global center for species survival
Plans call for the Global Center for Species Survival to employ a team of nine experts who will be based in Indianapolis and work with more than 9,000 wildlife experts worldwide to save threatened species.