PODCAST: What are we going to do about all these dead malls?
Posted by Eric McAfee in Neighborhoods on Jan 28th, 2016 | 18 comments
This latest post–a podcast actually–is already over a week old, which would make it pretty stale by blogosphere terms, except that it’s particularly relevant for Urban Indy, in the wake of all the closures at the Circle Centre Mall (the most recent of which seems to be Abercrombie and Fitch, though I wouldn’t hold my breath for yet another closure before February).
At any rate, this latest podcast has Aaron Renn of The Urbanophile interviewing me about my experience with this formerly ironclad retail typology. No new malls have been built in a decade, and virtually all...
When the Best Preservation Efforts Go Up in Smoke
Posted by Eric McAfee in Historical Posts, Neighborhoods on May 7th, 2014 | 2 comments
One of our Urban Indy bloggers recently pointed out this lovingly restored double with Victorian touches, easily visible on Google Streetview as recently as the last camera run-through, waaaaay back in the summer of 2009. Even from the Google photo, it’s obvious that the restoration just took place; the paint is flawless, landscaping efforts haven’t yet begun, and a “for sale” sign stands in the tiny front garden. This address—105 and 111 9th Street—should be a solid investment: just a stone’s throw from the Indianapolis Public Library, only a twenty minute walk to the heart of downtown,...
Rebuild Indy: What are we rebuilding?
Posted by Curt Ailes in Neighborhoods on Mar 3rd, 2011 | 8 comments
In 2010, Mayor Greg Ballard used bonding capacity against equity in our water/sewer utilities as well as future rate increases to fund a program that is called, Rebuild Indy. The first injection of funds came in to the tune of $55 million. It was used to jumpstart the program and largely includes resurfacing streets, repairing some sidewalks, and constructing a trail on the NW side of Indianapolis by adding a trail from Cold Springs Road to Kessler Boulevard along Michigan Road. A couple of weeks ago, $32 million more in projects were announced. Some bridge reconstruction work is planned for Meridian...
From sketches to shovel: How The De Rimini fails
Posted by Curt Ailes in New Development on Sep 28th, 2010 | 58 comments
In the fall of 2009, an infill development on the west side of downtown Indianapolis caused a stir with local urbanists. The DiRimini, or as it was called early on, Sarajo Commons, was set to take an empty lot on N. Capitol Avenue. The project is targetting IUPUI students and potential downtown dwellers. Finally, someone was stepping up to fill in one of the many vacant lots on this side of town. The parcel in particular, was located along 733 N. Capitol Avenue, a former grassly lot that had sat vacant for years.
When the initial plans were submitted to the Metropolitan Development Commission, the...
Speedway Streetscape
Posted by Kevin Kastner in Bicycling, Neighborhoods, Pedestrian on Sep 8th, 2010 | 0 comments
Way back in 2007, the Town of Speedway unveiled an ambitious redevelopment proposal. The first phase of construction is underway, which features of a redesign of Main Street. The branding of the new streetscape draws inspiration from Speedway’s world-famous track, while also providing room for the mixture of street life and non-motorized transportation that is promoted here at Urban Indy. The first 6 photos are from the completed southern portion, the final four are from the original north portion. One thing in particular to note is the separated bicycle lane, seen in the second...
