Urban Indy

The national conversation that has surrounded the most recent gas price jumps has been predictably frustrating.  A whole lot of finger-pointing, but little self-analysis.  Perhaps the most frustrating aspect about this conversation is the lack of creative and constructive solutions for people who wish to inoculate themselves from price spikes.   We usually hear the primal urges (drill baby drill) as well as the technological advances (alternative fuels).  However, the simplest solution that the public can act on is to live in a neighborhood that has transportation options. These neighborhoods are in short supply and high demand in Indianapolis.  This is why it is critical for Indianapolis to continue to see new infill developments.  Urban Indy blogger Chris Corr has estimated that there are approximately 4,000 apartment units in Center township … Read entire article »

  A couple of years ago, before I became so consumed by livability and sustainability issues, my wife and I decided that we wanted to put a new door on the back of our home. We removed an existing window, bought a pre-hung door, and with the help of a couple friends, spent the weekend installing the door. It went over pretty well for the most part. We bought some stones from Menards to construct a … Read entire article »

This is the last post in a series featuring College Avenue nodes in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood. Again, thanks to Mary Owens from the MKNA for all of the helpful information.   Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be read here. Northwest: The northwest corner contains the 2 most prominent historic buildings at the intersection.  This one houses a barber shop, and is a former Kroger grocery store. Proof of the former Kroger at the entrance of the … Read entire article »

This corner has remained pretty much unchanged for a good number of years. The farther south one goes on College, the more impact a game-changing project like a streetcar or even a rapid bus line could have. Northeast: One of the most interesting and older buildings in the neighborhood with its limestone facade and exterior cellar entrance.  It has been the home of Big Al’s Superstore for a number of years. Southeast: Home of Double 8 Foods, this corner … Read entire article »

It’s still massive, just not skyline-altering-ultra-massive. A proposed student housing tower at 9th St and the downtown Canal Walk has been redesigned and reduced in size, whittling the original 26 story proposal down to a more palatable 10 stories. That reduction in height reduces the total capacity by about a third but still places it among the largest apartment complexes in downtown Indianapolis. Here is a rundown of the changes proposed in the developer’s MDC … Read entire article »

This corner has seen the largest amount of change within the past four years.  And there is potential for that to continue, with a proposal for the first major mixed-use project along College Avenue to be built since the days of the streetcar. Northeast: This recently renovated building which used to house Steck Plumbing is now the home of Sinking Ship bar.  This would have been a very dangerous thing for yours truly if it happened a … Read entire article »