Urban Indy

Last night I attended the event titled Neighborhoods: Inspiring Place, Improving Health that featured Ethan Kent from Project for Public Spaces. Mr. Kent made a fine presentation, but the real star of the evening was the collaboration that took place afterwards regarding several key issues that are facing Indianapolis, such as transportation, crime, and sprawl. I was inspired to work on making this blog more social and to encourage other people to contribute to it (not just comment, but post content). I obviously don’t know everything that is going on in Indy, and adding more voices could make this blog more dynamic. I’m looking forward to hearing from the group that I met at the event, and hopefully they will feel comfortable in this setting. … Read entire article »

An interesting aside has been posted on the Cultural Trail thread on the Skyscraper City forum. Apparently the Trailside proposal is being stalled due to concerns over the parking situation. Poster Ablerock makes a keen observation when he mentions that the businesses in that section have complained for years about their lack of visibility, yet when a proposal comes along to increase the neighborhood’s density, they automatically fear the impact from the apartment dweller’s automobiles. After viewing the proposal, it looks like a building that would be a decent addition. The scale would not be out of place with the surrounding neighborhood. I believe opposition to the project is a function of our city’s history of catering to car-based development. Residents and businesses want … Read entire article »

Smart Growth Indy recently held a community workshop regarding the area near 22nd and the Monon Trail. They have posted this neighborhood restoration guide. This project has the potential to be a model for other similar areas around the city, similar to the way that we can now point to Fall Creek Place as a reasonable success. … Read entire article »

On Thursday, I revisited East Market Street, as the project had been completed. I started at East Street and walked towards the Holy Cross Neighborhood. Heidelberger Papers beat me to the punch in posting this, but the more the merrier, I say. I like the benches and even the trash cans. The lamps don’t excite me much. I love that the ivy on this building is completely red: Intersection with Park: Intersection with College, featuring new … Read entire article »

A few new remodel and infill projects have hit the newswire recently, many of them featuring “green”, energy saving construction. Nuvo updates us on a remodel of the landmark Gramse building. Eastern Fountain Square is getting a major boost with the Millard Fuller Legacy Build 2010 program. (The comments in the article are frighteningly similar to the unhelpful ones found in the IndyStar). Crown Hill neighborhood is planning a similar transformation with help from the Children’s Museum. It seems that we are seeing more of this type of development lately. I hope it can continue. … Read entire article »

Unfortunately, I no longer have an events calendar on this blog. I didn’t like the way it was displayed through Google/Blogger, and I also had a tough time keeping up with events. November seems to have a good deal of intriguing events dealing with urban sustainability issues. The Spirit and Place Festival in particular is jam-packed. Here’s a brief rundown: November 2: Doug Tallamy presents a lecture on how gardening can sustain wildlife at Clowes Hall. November 3: Open House at the downtown location of Ball State’s College of Architecture and Planning. November 8: Self-guided Indy Parks Bicycle and Walk Tour. Marian University hosts a tour of their Eco Lab presented by Green Broad Ripple. Booth Tarkington’s home is the setting for a discussion on how historic urban … Read entire article »

Broad Ripple Gazette has an article about the conservation ethic behind the BRBP. Combining beer with a forward-thinking business plan is something I can get behind. There are actually quite a few interesting items mentioned in the article. Spent grain feeds cattle for local farmers. They already utilize major energy saving measures. Front and center, there is a humongous bike rack. Finally, they reused a defunct building and made it feel like it’s always been there. Kudos to the BRBP. … Read entire article »

The IBJ has posted an article regarding the Kroger and Caravelle Commons. The article mentions the non-urban form and dead-end streets of the apartments. These are good points. However, I’m not sure if we have yet learned this lesson, as non-urban apartments and housing complexes are still under development in Marion County. This is a brand new apartment complex in Washington Township. This was formerly a forest. There is currently only one entrance, a … Read entire article »

I have been forwarded an e-mail from the person in charge of the Winter Farmers Market. I will be attending and I will post it here for anyone who is interested: Dear friends (this is a long email, but please read all the way through – it’s important),Thanks to those who have sent letters of support. However, the ante has been raised andthe Indy Winter Farmers Market needs your support at the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission meeting tonight. Despite the overwhelming support of the Chatham Arch Neighborhood Association in a vote of membership last Tuesday, one individual resident continues to fight everything that happens with the development of the Chatham Center. This matter is of too great importance to the market and community … Read entire article »