Fringe Alley Project
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Bicycling, New Development, Pedestrian on Nov 29th, 2012 | 8 comments
The Indy Fringe Festival headquarters at St. Clair and College has undergone a transformation in the past four years.
Now finished with the restoration of the long-unloved church building, the organization has not stopped there. Â The first project in Phase II was to restore the brick alley (known as Spring Street) to help with drainage and water reclamation for their green space. Â The installation of the new bricks was originally denied by the Historic Preservation Commission, but that denial was reversed after the staff learned of the drainage issues which would have impeded the Fringe’s...
Greenwood Main Street: Should It Surrender to the Flow?
Posted by Eric McAfee in New Development on Nov 27th, 2012 | 17 comments
Earlier in the month, the Indianapolis Star featured an article on the extensive development plans that are materializing for the City of Greenwood, with the goal of turning the historic main street back into a desirable retail destination for locals and visitors.  The southerly suburb’s commercial center sits at the convergence of Main Street and Madison Avenue, stretching approximately one block in each direction, though the bulk of the historic architecture rests along Main Street, the east-west axis. By some locals’ perceptions, Greenwood’s Main Street has trended...
Portion of I-69 opens in SW Indiana
Posted by Curt Ailes in New Development, Transit on Nov 20th, 2012 | 11 comments
On Monday, November 19th, the first 67 miles of I-69, stretching north from Evansville, opened to the public. The IBJ had a great story covering the facts, hyperbole, and struggles that lie ahead for the 142 mile stretch of freeway that would eventually connect Evansville and Indianapolis. Many questions remain unanswered about this project chief among them, how is Indiana going to pay for it’s completion?
It is tough to argue that there will not be positive economic benefit from this project. Dozens of small communities along the route will be provided improved access to the state’s...
Balconies: The Upside of Outside
Posted by Graeme Sharpe in Neighborhoods on Nov 19th, 2012 | 4 comments
The Balcony is one of my favorite architectural inventions. They are important both in terms of aesthetic character and function, as they can give buildings a special look or a special purpose. For example, the balconies on the Marina City or Aqua Tower in Chicago become their identity, either by being repetitive or being different, whereas the balconies of the French Quarter buildings in New Orleans become platforms for a street party almost independent of the buildings themselves.
Balconies are a blend of public and private space, giving people spatial separation but maintaining...
Bridges for Cars, Barriers for Everyone Else
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Bicycling, Pedestrian on Nov 15th, 2012 | 7 comments
When IndyCog released their Ride Guide, something unfortunate jumped out me: Â Many of our city’s bridges are hostile to cycling. Â Notice the number of bridges that are colored in Magenta on the city-wide PDF.
I know this first-hand from riding north along Delaware street while being surrounded by cars the intersection with Fall Creek Blvd. Â And this is the best bridge in the area for northbound cyclists. Â Illinois Street 5 blocks to the west does have a bike lane, but someone closer to the eastern edge of downtown might be better off heading over to the Monon Trail. Â The big...
