Open question: What if we buried The Split?
Posted by Curt Ailes in Neighborhoods on Apr 22nd, 2011 | 33 comments
It’s been a while, so I figured I would post an open thread for ideas and suggestions. This time around I pose the question:
What if the City of Indianapolis buried the I65/I70 split downtown? A simple enough question but one in which a multiude of feelings are elicited. What would happen to congestion? How much would it cost? Why go to the trouble? Other cities around the country are stuggling with this question. Seattle is looking at digging a tunnel for the freeway that runs through their downtown. It has been praised and decried by people. Some calling it an awesome possibility for livability...
Georgia Street Update 2
Posted by Curt Ailes in New Development, Pedestrian on Apr 20th, 2011 | 1 comment
On March 31st, I authored the first post on the Georgia Street progress. This is the newest update and the photos were taken on April 19th. We can see that backfilling has occured against the structure in the ground.
Additionally, some new concrete pieces have been placed and there is a large pile of other concrete columns that look like they are going to be placed soon. Once there is more significant progress, I will post another update. For now, check out the photos and the ones from Update...
Lockerbie in Spring
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods on Apr 15th, 2011 | 4 comments
Lockerbie is a small but charming neighborhood featuring brick sidewalks and a mix of historic houses. Due to its proximity to downtown, as well as its connection to the James Whitcomb Riley, Lockerbie was the first neighborhood in the urban center to be “saved” by preservationists following a long decline. Many of the houses are actually shipped in from other places, although you’d hardly know that today.
This is the house where James Whitcomb Riley lived most of his life:
Across the street, this beauty on a large lot could be yours for only a few million bucks:
More from the...
Low Rise Proposed for Indiana Avenue
Posted by Chris Corr in Neighborhoods on Apr 14th, 2011 | 25 comments
Tom Harton is reporting over at Indianapolis Business Journal that a low-rise office building project is back in the works for the NW quadrant of downtown. The building is proposed for a plot fronting Indiana Ave and Capitol Ave. This land was originally sold by the State of Indiana to Hearthview Residential in 2007 for a 30-unit condominium project with ground floor retail. Hearthview’s plans didn’t pan out and the plot was sold to McGowan Insurance Group in 2008 to be used for office space. Their plans were shelved due to poor economic conditions at the time and they now feel that...
Broad Ripple to DT Lightrail Case Study
Posted by Curt Ailes in Transit on Apr 14th, 2011 | 24 comments
As a citizen of Indianapolis and a major supporter of mass transit, it should come as no surprise that I am always thinking about how we can pull off a successful light rail system. When I think about the key components that would create the best first step, there are many things to consider. First off, we must define the key characteristics of a transit line that will make it succeed:
Convenient
Connects activity centers
Rapid
Frequent service
Be on the Way
I have given a lot of lip service to the benefits of a Broad Ripple to downtown light rail service. Many people when asked where a light rail...
