Urban Indy » Archive for August 2010
Does the Indianapolis Convention Center Renovation represent a failure of design?
This past Sunday, my wife and I had the last minute pleasure of attending the first pre-season Colts game. It was a hot August Indianapolis weekend. We witnessed a great performance by the first team, and then a mediocre performance by the Colts “B” team. When we decided to make our way out of Lucas Oil Stadium, we left by way of the north gate which lies on South Street and gives you a grand view … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, New Development
Celebrate Self-Sufficiency during World Kitchen Garden Day
Sunday, August 22 is World Kitchen Garden Day! It’s a perfect time to haul in some produce from a backyard garden and cook up something worthy of this great holiday. My wife and I installed a garden in the backyard this year, I have come to love it wholeheartedly. Our garden has been one of the best experiences of my adult life. Nothing is more satisfying than grabbing a fresh cucumber off the vine when I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Neighborhoods
Multimodal Study Prioritizes Transit Based Development in Carmel
A recently completed study by private consultant Storrow & Kinsella looked at the future of the Carmel region and how to lay a road map to sustain the success of recent and current projects going on in the quickly urbanizing suburb located 15 miles north of downtown Indianapolis. (click here to be taken the report on the Indianapolis MPO website) a number of the maps referenced are also easily viewed here While I philospohically struggle to justify … Read entire article »
Filed under: Bicycling, Featured, Neighborhoods, Pedestrian, Transit
Fountain Square packs em in on a hot Friday night!
This past Friday, I had the pleasure of joining my wife, Casey Jo Ailes, on a tour of Indianapolis’ Fountain Square neighborhood. My wife, who writes for the Broad Ripple Gazette, was aiming to cover a couple of events. Namely the KIB RE-Dome art show and also the IMOCA “Frank Warren’s PostSecret” show. The evening began at KIB’s headquarters off of Fletcher Ave in the Fountain Square neighborhood. We spent some time walking through and chatting up some … Read entire article »
Filed under: Neighborhoods
In Praise of Property Taxes
It is a popular pastime here in Indiana to complain about property taxes and their effects on the local economy. In the minds of many citizens, these taxes are levied on property owners and appropriated for wasteful pet projects and high administrative costs. But that’s just flat-out wrong, as property taxes provide citizens with the most important public services in the US. Well, I can’t tell you what the right tax rate should be nor … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Neighborhoods
IndyGO Purchasing 11 hybrid buses
In what could be considered some of the most positive Indianapolis related transportation news, today IndyGO released some news that they will be purchasing 22 new buses; and 11 of them will be of the hybrid variety. “In January, IndyGo plans to welcome 22 new 40-foot, low-floor buses into its fleet. Of those 22 buses, 11 will incorporate the latest electric hybrid technology, resulting in fuel savings, reduced emissions and smoother, quieter rides.” “Each IndyGo hybrid … Read entire article »
Filed under: Transit
IHPC Hearing Results – August 4th
Apologies for the slight delay in getting these results to you. Nothing terribly surprising happened in the voting. The most controversial case — construction of a gas station on the NW corner of 10th and DMLK Jr. — was continued (again) to next month. Address: 1826 N. Alabama Street Historic District: Herron-Morton Place Case: Demolish historic accessory structure, construct a 3-car garage. Staff Recommendation: Approval of Certificate of Authorization Commission Ruling: Approved with Stipulations MAP STAFF REPORT _________________________________________ Address: 5505 E. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Neighborhoods
This is not Chicago
On the banks of Fall Creek stand a set of solidly built brick apartments. They are proud and prominent, yet little known, due to the fact that the closest thoroughfare is the one-way northbound Illinois Street. Another factor that keeps these gems somewhat anonymous is that the most obvious way to reach them by vehicle is from east via Meridian Street. The 5 apartments are neighbors with a charming house, featured in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Neighborhoods
Making sense of the latest Indyconnect documents, 8/2010
I was tooling around in my regular search for things related to light rail and Indianapolis yesterday and discovered that Indyconnect has created a “NE Corridor” specific portion of their wesite. Contained within, is a more detailed exploration of the process, and the documentation required, as it moves forward. Currently, as I have recently reported, there is an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) being conducted on the alignment from Union Station to Noblesville, in the Nickel … Read entire article »
Filed under: Transit
August Wallpaper
In what I hope to make a monthly habit, here is the August wallpaper. I like to pride myself on taking photos that highlight Indianapolis in a positive light. So, for those of you who frequent the site, I am going to start offering a monthly wallpaper/calendar download. I will offer this initial offering in three different resolutions, but if there is another that you would like, which none of these fit with, ask and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Neighborhoods
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