HB1011 passes Senate
Posted by Curt Ailes in Transit on Apr 11th, 2013 | 14 comments
This week, the “summer study” version of HB1011 passed out of the Indiana Senate 39-11. The bill varies wildly when compared to the House version which was passed last month with bi-partisan support, which would authorize a referendum in 2014 for Marion and Hamilton Counties to raise income taxes by 0.3% which would be dedicated to funding a vast expansion of transit as well as a regional transit authority.
So what happens now? If you have never watched this process closely (like me) then it comes with a lot of wrinkles. A conference committee has been established which will involve members...
Sidewalks as Parking Lots
Posted by Curt Ailes in Bicycling, Pedestrian on Apr 10th, 2013 | 25 comments
Here at Urban Indy, we have long been proponents of keeping our city sidewalks free of automobiles. Providing space for pedestrians to safely walk along a street is key in offering a premium urban environment which leads to many things such as sustained economic activity at the neighborhood level.
The City of Indianapolis also seems to value this. Last year, a Complete Streets ordinance was offered by the City Council and adopted in a unanimous vote. Earlier this week, Smart Growth America rewarded Indianapolis’ efforts by awarding us the #1 ranking for policies implemented in 2012. This is a big...
Indiana Commerce Connector back in play?
Posted by Curt Ailes in Transit on Apr 9th, 2013 | 18 comments
The Indianapolis Star is reporting that a long dormant plan for an outer belt Indianapolis freeway may have new life. The idea which was introduced in 2006 and shot down, seems to have some new-found support in the Indiana State Legislature. Billed by Senator Luke Kenley as a way to relieve congestion and improve the economic development landscape, the Commerce Connector would be constructed at an estimated $1.5 billion dollars.
For the uninformed, see the map above which traces a rough route miles from Indianapolis through what is primarily farmland. The road would intersect with small outlying towns...
April 2013 Wallpaper
Posted by Curt Ailes in Bicycling, Pedestrian on Apr 8th, 2013 | 0 comments
This month’s wallpaper comes from the Cultural Trail prairie modules. Enjoy!
2560 x 1600
1280 x 853
1280 x 1024
1366 x 768
Friday Fun: Mythbusting Indianapolis
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods on Apr 5th, 2013 | 14 comments
I feel it is time to dispel one of the most common myths about Indianapolis.  I have seen it time and time again, most recently on one of my favorite local blogs Historic Indianapolis.  But I don’t mean to pick on them, as they are not alone in believing that the Riley Tomb marks the highest point in Indianapolis.  A Google search for “highest point in Indianapolis” reveals many such claims.  My favorite instance of this occurrence is this article:
The highest point in Indianapolis lies at Crown Hill Cemetery atop Strawberry Hill (the tomb of famed Hoosier...
