Bike Share in Indy: Think of the Possibilities
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Bicycling, Neighborhoods on Sep 11th, 2013 | 11 comments
It has been a few months since the city of Indianapolis announced its upcoming bike share program. At the time, there was a healthy discussion on our blog’s e-mail group about the potential for this bike share moving forward in the city. I thought now would be a good time to discuss the reasons I think it could be successful, as well as potential pitfalls to avoid if B Cycle wants to make this service more inclusive.
First, the positives:
A bicycle is great for medium-distance rides. I work right downtown, and often would like to have lunch on Mass Ave or Fountain Square. Currently I either have...
Drive Thrus in the Mile Square
Posted by Curt Ailes in New Development on Sep 9th, 2013 | 36 comments
Have you been to McDonald’s lately? Been to the drive through? Have you been baffled by the dual drive through design that McD’s seems to be employing to shuffle customers through as quickly as possible?
If you are like me, you have probably become confused by this design. With two ordering microphones, it doesn’t make sense that there should only be one window to dispense products to customers. What then, is the intended emotional connection by this design? Is it merely a placebo so that customers can feel as if they are getting served quicker? I wonder, does McDonald’s have a...
South Split Closure Update
Posted by Curt Ailes in Neighborhoods on Sep 9th, 2013 | 14 comments
Over the past couple of years, urban freeways through downtowns throughout the country have been closed for short periods for construction. Notably, Los Angeles has the distinction of using the term “carmageddon” to characterize the perceived chaos that might ensue from the short term closure of such important roadways.
The latest downtown freeway closure to take place is locally; right here in Indianapolis. Dubbed “Survive the Split” by local media, the short section through downtown Indy where I-65 and I-70 combine was closed for 59 days earlier this month, to lower the...
Putting Kessler Park on the Map
Posted by Eric McAfee in Neighborhoods on Sep 8th, 2013 | 7 comments
The urban advocates are nearly unanimous that our metro areas, in general, suffer from a dearth of good urban park space. Nonetheless, it is often hard to build much of an argument for new park construction, or the requisite land assembly. After all, most American cities are seriously lacking when it comes to density, and it doesn’t take much for us to think of a park in [insert your city here] that is practically always deserted. While Indy holds up fairly well in court of public opinion when it comes to our downtown park and civic space, the rest of the city isn’t exactly...
Downtown Project Update
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods, New Development on Sep 4th, 2013 | 10 comments
It has been quite a while since I have posted a downtown project update. Almost two years, in fact. Â With the beautiful day we had yesterday, Â I figured it was a good time to walk around and post some pictures of some newer developments in the city.
First up is the first new building to be constructed within a block of Indy’s “Main and Main” streets since the Conrad was built, a 2-and-a-half story structure that will house a Chipotle:
On Illinois and Washington Streets, Circle Center Mall added Granite City Brewery, which did not make the same mistake as previous restaurants...
