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Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
CHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: Beware the creep of urban sprawl
September 19, 2005
I'm happy for the city of Carmel that it wants to be a city in its own right, and not just a bedroom community of Indianapolis.
I'm not so happy about some of its development practices. Up in my neck of the woods-western Clay Township-new subdivisions
have sprung up like weeds, with little or no improvement to roads that support them. The resulting traffic delays have been
maddening, to say the least. It's not uncommon these days for me to...
MorePrivate high school set: Cristo Rey to open downtown with 46 companies behind it
September 19, 2005
Anthony SchoettleA private high school that relies on business participation, the first of its kind in Indiana, is set to open downtown in
the fall of 2006. A work-study program designed to help lowincome students pay for tuition and give them corporate work experience
is what will set Providence Cristo Rey High School apart from its private and public counterparts throughout the state. Corporate
sponsors said it will also give promising students a local business connection, which could help keep them...
MoreInterest high for soon-to-be-shuttered foundry: Size, location make redevelopment promising
September 19, 2005
Tammy LieberWhen the workers at DaimlerChrysler Corp.'s Indianapolis Foundry clock out for the last time at the end of the month, they'll
leave behind 756,000 square feet of factory space, tons of equipment, and more than 52 acres of industrial land on the city's
west side. Rather than becoming a rusting industrial relic along Interstate 70, however, the buildings will be razed and real
estate experts expect the land will soon find a new use, albeit likely not for a factory....
MoreIPS seeks property swap: School district will trade prime Mass Ave land if deal is right
September 12, 2005
Tracy DonhardtreporterBut an unusual component of the soon-to-be-released request for proposals by Indianapolis Public Schools, the property's owner,
has many wondering if anyone has what it will take to win the coveted piece of real estate. What it'll take is the offering
of a replacement facility where IPS can move its central transportation facility and other school district operations. "That's
the general concept," said SteveYoung, chief of facilities management for IPS. "We're not looking to sell it. We would have
to...
MoreBasic utility vehicle rolling ahead-slowly: Assembly would happen in developing nations
September 12, 2005
Chris O\'malleyA not-for-profit group developing vehicles for use in the Third World plans to open a "micro-factory" next month near 65th
Street and Binford Boulevard. But the Institute for Affordable Transportation site won't mass-produce its diminutive vehicles,
powered by lawn tractor engines. Rather, the donated space will become a lab for working out methods to help those in developing
countries assemble the so-called "basic utility vehicles." The facility "is to basically prepare the way for this technology
transfer package so it...
MoreECONOMIC ANALYSIS: Façade of confidence saves us from anarchy
September 12, 2005
Patrick BarkeyYou may not know this, but every banker and policymaker does. If every one of us got out of bed tomorrow morning, drove to
our banks or financial institutions, and tried to withdraw our money, the system that seems so solid today would suffer a
complete collapse. The same thing would happen to the electrical grid if every device that could draw power were switched
on at once. In fact, if every one of us decided today to fill up...
MoreCan ride sharing retain your distant workers?: Companies look to car- and van-pooling to counter high gas prices that may
increase employee turnover
September 12, 2005
Chris O\'malleyMost concerned about higher commuting costs are employers on the periphery of Indianapolis, where there is little or no bus
transportation for workers who live in Marion County. "At some point, for an hourly worker, it becomes cost-prohibitive to
drive to Plainfield for work," said Kim Woodward, director of human resources for Brightpoint Inc. The wireless phone distributor
has a warehouse in the Hendricks County town that employs 611, plus about 100 contract workers. "Public transportation is
not readily available,"...
MoreStorm's local impact mixed: Katrina's aftermath will take toll on business, but rebuilding efforts might offer opportunities
September 5, 2005
Chris O\'malleyHurricane Katrina will be both a curse and a blessing to Indiana companies, which will cope with higher fuel costs and shipping
problems but find themselves awash in opportunities to sell materials and machinery for rebuilding Gulf cities. Besides weathering
the immediate impact of higher fuel prices, Hoosier firms will pay more for a range of goods, because of the trickle-down
effect of higher shipping costs. "Our biggest concern continues to be on the ever-increasing cost of fuel. That's s...
MoreFuel hike might ground ATA plan: Fleet-cut savings nearly wiped out
September 5, 2005
Chris O\'malleyOn the expenses line of ATA Airlines Inc.'s battered books, the savings associated with a fleet reduction might have been
accounted for as a tailwind that accelerated its flight to financial solvency. Paring 35 of its 82 aircraft in the first half
of this year saved the Indianapolis carrier $49 million in jet fuel and oil expenses. That's big money for the bankrupt airline:
half of what it's trying to raise from investors to pull out of Chapter 11 and...
MoreChamber head could come from afar: Greater Indy Chamber taking more corporate than clubby approach to search
August 29, 2005
Chris O\'malleyThe No. 2 man at the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce isn't necessarily a shoo-in to succeed retiring president John
S. Myrland, according to directors of the city's primary business advocacy group. It's not that Executive Vice President Roland
Dorson might not well be the best candidate and ultimately picked as president, as was Myrland when holding Dorson's job 14
years ago. Some chamber directors say Dorson is the strongest internal candidate. But, in a departure from years past, the...
MoreTrio use experience to start consultancy: State-government veterans met while at FSSA
August 29, 2005
Scott OlsonThree veterans of state government have pooled their years of management experience to launch the women-owned business consultancy
Engaging Solutions LLC. Led by Venita Moore and Debra Simmons Wilson, the company set up shop in the Indiana Black Expo building
on North Meridian Street this spring to provide fiscal management, strategic planning, outreach, training and economic development
services. They and part-time principal Tammy Butler Robinson say the firm's focus on serving government agencies, not-forprofits
and faith-based organizations fits their backgrounds....
MorePension fund opens coffers: $506M could be boon for venture capitalists
August 22, 2005
Peter SchnitzlerThe Public Employees' Retirement Fund, Indiana's largest pension system, is preparing to unleash half a billion dollars into
venture capital, real estate and other privateequity investments. And the fund's managers aim to put the bulk of it to work
inside state lines. Hoosier venture capitalists are salivating at the prospect. T h a t 's t h e equivalent of nearly seven
BioCrossroads Indiana Future Funds. "If there are excellent opportunities to invest in Indiana, we ought to be looking...
MoreYouth, law enforcement pair up to reduce crime: Local companies providing money, rewards and time
August 22, 2005
Tracy DonhardtOne of Marcus Ballance's cousins is in prison for shooting another man. Another was recently shot after serving a prison term
of his own. Ballance, a 12-year-old who attends Margaret McFarland Middle School, lives with his mom, her boyfriend and a
baby sister on the city's east side. He's been exposed to crime and drugs his entire life. Some would say that means Ballance
has a good chance of ending up either a victim of homicide or in prison. But...
MoreCHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: Let's emulate user-friendly Portland
August 22, 2005
I travel a fair amount for both business and pleasure, and I've been to several major U.S. cities. Most of the time, I return
from these adventures thinking that wherever it was I visited had nothing on Indianapolis. In fact, I usually think those
cities can learn a lot from us. This time, it was different. I've just returned from a place that's doing a lot of things
right ... a place that has employed some ideas and programs our...
MoreMuseum deflects pork perceptions: Policy wonks decry grant of $12.5M in transportation funds
August 22, 2005
Chris O\'malley"Why are taxpayers in California and Texas and Massachusetts paying for a museum in Indianapolis?" David Boaz, executive vice
president of the Washington-based Cato Institute, wrote on the think tank's Web site in May as the bill was coalescing. The
Children's Museum of Indianapolis landed the grant under the $286 billion transportation bill signed by President Bush this
month. The grant was included in the bill courtesy of Rep. Julia Carson, D-Indianapolis. "Congress constantly uses the Department
of Transportation's budget...
MoreSpecial Report: Buying blind: Lack of oversight leaves state in dark on real estate deals The state of Indiana knows how much
it's spending to lease property statewide -nearly $40 million a year. But it doesn't know if that's too much.
August 15, 2005
Tammy LieberThe state of Indiana knows how much it's spending to lease property statewide -nearly $40 million a year. But it doesn't know
if that's too much. State contracts for third-party real estate services give government officials few safeguards to ensure
they're paying a fair price for office, laboratory and storage space outside of state-owned buildings, those in the industry
say. And state administrators have no control over seven-figure commissions paid to two Indianapolis real estate brokers in
the past decade,...
MoreVIEWPOINT: Signs of economic recovery all around us
August 15, 2005
Barbara BranicAfter weathering some difficult times over the last few years, there are encouraging signs that central Indiana has turned
the corner on its road to economic recovery. The Indianapolis metro area added 22,000 jobs in the year ending in March-a 2.4-percent
increase-and in May, the Indiana unemployment rate dipped below the national average for the first time since December. All
signs point to continued modest growth. Patrick Barkey, IBJ contributor and Ball State University economist, says, "We should
expect to...
MoreGERALD BEPKO Commentary: State's bulk-sales law should be repealed
August 8, 2005
Law is an important part of the infrastructure for our economy. It can be just as important as highspeed information networks,
transportation systems or capital formation. And like all infrastructure, law has to be modernized to take account of changing
conditions. Although much law regarding commerce comes from Congress, the states have an important role through something
called the Uniform Commercial Code. The UCC reflects the best contemporary thought and is uniform in that it has been enacted
in all...
MoreSmaller-sized meetings bring in big bucks for city: Hospitality group sees value in events of all scales
August 1, 2005
Tracy DonhardtreporterEven event planners hire event planners. When Cynthia Howell needed to plan an event in the city for a state health care organization,
she called Betsy Ward, a member of the meetings team at the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. With what Howell
calls minimal effort on her part, the Indiana Primary Health Care Association Inc. will stay in 50 rooms for two nights at
the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites at Keystone at the Crossing this fall. The group...
MoreBEHIND THE NEWS: Neither SEC, Dick in rush to bring fraud suit to trial
July 25, 2005
Greg AndrewsThe Securities a n d E x c h a n g e Commission didn't file its civil-fraud suit against former Conseco Inc. Chief Financial
Officer Rollin Dick until 2004, four years after he resigned under pressure. Under a timetable approved by federal Magistrate
Judge V. Sue Shields July 14, Dick won't stand trial until May 2007 at the earliest. By then, he will have turned 75, and
the transactions challenged by the SEC will be more than seven years...
MoreResearchers seek fuel-cell answers: Universities, companies see long-term potential in alternative power device
July 18, 2005
Scott OlsonThe figure-eight slot-car track in the basement laboratory at IUPUI looks out of place amid the expensive computer equipment
surrounding it. But when research assistant Alan Benedict fumbles with a few wires and the cars come to life, it becomes clear
the racetrack is more than just a toy. The miniature cars operate on fuel cells and are part of Purdue University's exploration
into the alternative power source. Scientists across the country are studying the clean power alternative, stoked by...
MoreECONOMIC ANALYSIS: My city is bigger than your city, or is it?
July 11, 2005
Patrick BarkeyDoes anyone remember the World Almanac? Perhaps not. But in the Barkey household of many years back, it was a well-worn little
book. Especially those pages where populations were listed for every city in the country. That's where we could proudly look
up our own hometown and see where we stood against everyone else. We're still doing that, of course. The paper books are gone,
naturally, replaced by Web pages from the Census Bureau that pop up at the click...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Court decision opens barrel of worms
July 4, 2005
Morton MarcusThe U.S. Supreme Court has now ruled again that the public good supersedes conventional private property rights. Some critics
have argued that this is something new. It is not, but this decision is a major extension of existing government powers. The
case in question, if you missed it, involves seven homeowners in New London, Conn., who refused to move so their land can
be part of an urban redevelopment effort. The city wants to transfer the properties to private firms...
MoreGrowth in big supply at 3-year-old Milor: Entrepreneur taps experience to land big clients
July 4, 2005
Tracy DonhardtreporterMichelle Taylor's first customer was a north-side hotel that ordered 3,000 janitorial gloves a month. She got up at 3 a.m.,
processed the order out of her garage, and delivered the gloves in her car. Less than three years later, Indianapolisbased
Milor Supply Inc. delivers 36,000 gloves a month, plus janitorial equipment and supplies and safety equipment, to universities,
city and state governments, hospitals and a host of other industries across the country. The 35-year-old black female entrepreneur
has moved...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: BMV closings raise bigger issue
June 27, 2005
Morton MarcusThe closing of several offices of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles involves serious issues that are worth attention. Just
after the end of the legislative session, the BMV commissioner announced that a few smaller offices would be closed. The number
of patrons these offices serve was deemed insufficient to maintain and staff the facilities. In an age of increasing use of
electronic transactions, this makes sense. One of these facilities was in Hope, a small Bartholomew County town in...
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Doug Henning!
These guy were thugs — they grew up in freaking Haughville! Smh, sigh. If the mayor needs/wants "quality" Black Hoosiers who are NOT corrupt, give me a call — I know plenty. Land bank info here - http://www.kubepharm.com/indylandbank/IndyLandBank.html
Magician and illusionist!
The basic idea of nice apartments with parking and retail is a good one, but this design seems overwhelmingly big/tall for Broad Ripple. The size could be disguised a bit with lots of big trees/landscaping, but the complex is too massive to blend in easily. That section of canal between College and Westfield will also need to be upgraded on both sides. Nice apartments facing onto a nice promenade with shade trees/plantings could bring together the canal towpath/Monon recreation, the outdoor seating at existing restaurants, and this project into something that upgrades the whole area. A plan for the whole stretch makes more sense than facing nice new housing onto what looks like a ditch. Is there a plan? Does the public have input? Who pays? The apartment idea seems to be reasonable, but Whole Foods is not a good idea for appropriate retail. Besides the store being physically too big, there are already Fresh Market at 54xCollege and Whole Foods in Nora for fancy groceries. Good Earth and Kroger are within walking distance of the Shell site. There are at least 7 grocery stores within a safe bike ride. Whole Foods would add nothing but traffic congestion. This design is on the right track, but there needs to be more work done to ensure that it blends in with and enhances the existing community. A project that large will set a tone for that whole part of town. It could be a real asset, but only if done right.
I did not move to Zionsville to live in Carmel. This and the subsequent developments to follow will ensure a vanilla uniformity of strip malls and apartment buildings as we seek to bring our town down to the least common denominator. We were warned before recent elections that pro-development council members would make sure their friends (landowners and developers) would be able to make their millions off of the exploitation of Zionsville. Why in God's name would we sell out the best preserved small town in the State of Indiana?