This is for us
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Bicycling, Neighborhoods, New Development, Pedestrian, Transit on Aug 7th, 2019 | 53 comments
Mass transit will never be the same again in Indianapolis. Finally, after years of planning, public meetings, and construction, Indianapolis is going to kick off the Red Line in less than a month.
Lately, I’ve been seeing some online hand-wringing from residents that seem to be rooting for the system to fail. And I suppose that’s only natural here in Indy. It’s big, it’s obvious, and it’s…not for cars? It took away auto lanes? What a not-in-Indy thing. Sure, we’ve nibbled around the edges with reclaiming the public space for all things non-auto (thank you...
8/5 Red Line Update
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods, Transit on Aug 5th, 2019 | 13 comments
Major construction throughout the Red Line project has ended. The biggest new change has been the addition of red Bus Only lanes downtown from 18th Street to the State House. Here are some photos of that area, from twitter user @robyniko:
Meanwhile, with the introduction of the street medians and some more red paint, traffic throughout the northern section at least seems to be moving at a sane speed, a first for my 20 year history of north College Ave. Here’s some new photos of the station at 52nd and College.
Here’s the IndyGo E-mail blast for this week:
Three Week...
7/16 Red Line Construction Update
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Transit on Jul 16th, 2019 | 12 comments
Much of the major construction on the Red Line project is now wrapping up. I was able to take a few photos of the 52nd and College station last night, as well as the new pole and “No Left Turn” sign at 51st and College:
Additionally, Chris Corr sent some photos of the 54th and College station:
Here’s the IndyGo email for the week:
All Corridors
*Â PLEASE BE AWARE THAT “NO PARKING” SIGNS ARE ENFORCEABLE.
New traffic signals have been installed at multiple locations along the corridor and will become operational over the next few weeks.
College Avenue, Meridian Street,...
An Open Letter to DMD: Please Allow More than Single Family Housing on City Streets
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods, New Development, Pedestrian, Transit on Jul 15th, 2019 | 8 comments
Last year, I wrote an article about the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development’s seeming devotion to neighborhood land use plans. This is still an ongoing issue, as mid-block duplex proposals keep getting denied by the Metropolitan Development Commission. This is a sure-fire way to raise housing costs, and stifle the growth of our burgeoning transit system.
And now, they are not even listening to their own advice regarding land use plans. Witness a few bullet points, starting on the 15th page of the latest MDC Staff Report:
This request would rezone the site from the D-5 District to...
Red Line Construction Update: 7/8/2019
Posted by Kevin Kastner in New Development, Transit on Jul 8th, 2019 | 4 comments
This week, our feature photo is at the State Capitol, from Joe Smoker:
We also have a few photos from several weeks ago from Chris Corr:
Here’s the IndyGo weekly e-mail:
New This Week
All Corridors
*Â PLEASE BE AWARE THAT “NO PARKING” SIGNS ARE ENFORCEABLE.
New traffic signals have been installed at multiple locations along the corridor and will become operational over the next few weeks.
Â
Capitol Avenue
Pavement markings are being installed on Capitol Avenue between 18th and Washington Streets. Work will occur...
Residential Solar Power
Posted by Andrew Arenson in Neighborhoods on Jun 30th, 2019 | 5 comments
The current 30% federal tax credit for installing solar panels will go down each year before being eliminated in 2022.
Join the Solar United Neighbors co-op by July 31st, 2019 to get a bulk rate on installation. There’s no obligation.
Saving money
Whether or not you want to save the environment, you almost certainly want to save money on electricity. The best way to do either is to reduce your usage — more efficient light bulbs and appliances, turning off things you’re not using, line drying clothes, etc. – but solar panels can help a lot, too. How much depends...
Guest Post from Taylor Firestine: UIndy Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership: Unigov at 50,
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods, New Development on Jun 14th, 2019 | 3 comments
Editors note: This guest post was provided to Urban Indy from an employee of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization. We will also welcome any comments or rebuttals that readers might contribute.
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the sixth annual Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership at UIndy. The event included three panel discussions regarding the 50th anniversary of Unigov. I wanted to share some of the major themes and takeaways with everyone. The symposium was especially timely, given Sen. Richard Lugar’s death.
The event opened with a short...
Red Line Construction Update: 6/11
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods, New Development, Pedestrian, Transit on Jun 11th, 2019 | 1 comment
This week has seen a good deal of entries for construction photos. I’ll start with the Shelby and Hanna station, from Austin Gibble:
On the opposite side of town, I was able to get more photos of the 52nd and College station yesterday. The platform was actually installed earlier in the day:
Closer to downtown, reader Justin Harter sent in a station that had visible heating elements for snow melting at 9th and Capitol:
Finally, a nice shot at the State Capitol station from reader Matt Wakefield:
Here’s the IndyGo e-mail for the week:
College Avenue:
Pavement patching will continue on...
Red Line Construction: 6/4/2019
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Neighborhoods, Pedestrian, Transit on Jun 4th, 2019 | 9 comments
Our guest photo this week comes from contributor Andy Arenson, who sent me a shot of 22nd and Meridian:
Here are some photos near 52nd and College. The triangular diverter is now placed in the street on 51st Street:
There are still a ton of utility poles in the sidewalks after this project. A bummer, but at least people should be able to get around them in the future.
Here was the preliminary station last week. It’s more complete now, but I don’t have photos of it:
Here’s IndyGo’s email for the week:
College Avenue:
Pavement patching will continue on College Ave through...
Historic Streetcar Rails to Be Reused for Public Art Projects
Posted by Kevin Kastner in New Development, Transit on May 21st, 2019 | 7 comments
One of the defining features of the history of Indianapolis is its urban streetcar network. The last streetcar to run in Indy was located on College Avenue. Here’s the network as it was built in 1923:
By the 1950s, the lines had largely been replaced by city buses. Instead of removing them, the rails were simply paved over. The current Red Line project has been excavating the tracks in the locations where the construction is most significant.
Then, Michael McKillop from Midtown Indy had an idea. Instead of scrapping the tracks (as was originally intended), they have been saved, and are currently...
