Bush Stadium is now a dumping ground for clunkers

November 10, 2009
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An auto salvage company is paying the city $2,000 per month to use the outfield of Bush Stadium to store vehicles collected under the Cash for Clunkers program. It probably wasn't the use the city expected in 2007 when it ordered appraisals of the historic ballpark as a first step toward eventual reuse or demolition. The Indianapolis Indians played in the West 16th Street stadium until 1996, when they moved to Victory Field. After that, the ballpark briefly served as home to a midget-car racetrack. The 78-year-old stadium now is owned by the parks department. More is here.

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  • Time to move on
    Boomer IndyNovember 10, 2009 2:02 PM
    Let's finally give Bush Stadium the digninty it deserves and tear it down. Should have happened a long time ago, even before it was used as a race track. Sad to see her just sit there and waste away.
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    • Do as I say, not as I do...
      thundermuttNovember 10, 2009 2:24 PM
      Did the city follow its own zoning rules in allowing this use?
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    • sheesh
      AblerockNovember 10, 2009 4:21 PM
      $2,000 a month? That's all we're getting? And for a junkyard?

      Is there a requirement to have them clean it up after they're done?

      Why not let artists rent the buildings for studios? Or start an urban farm? Just something that contributes to the city. Something more than rust and a measly $2,000. Sheesh.
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    • Now oil/gas not just lead
      BobNovember 10, 2009 5:05 PM
      So now we'll have to clean up oil/gas and not just lead....
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    • Zoning Schmoning!
      Idyllic IndyNovember 10, 2009 10:44 PM
      It's zoned PK-1. That's for "park" use. They are doing plenty of parking here. What's the big deal?
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    • Agree with Boomer Indy
      ScottNovember 11, 2009 8:21 AM
      I agree with you Boomer. What they have done is a disgrace. Spent many days watching the Indians play there, hate to see what the park has become. Just tear it down.
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    • Brownfield
      mmheidelbergerNovember 11, 2009 10:22 AM
      Not only is it a decaying structure, but it is now being turned into a gigantic brownfield...'Clunkers' do more than just rust away.
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    • Side issue
      Miriam PiaNovember 11, 2009 7:06 PM
      I'm trying to cite this properly for an MBA homework assignment. The blog doesn't have a page number. I hope it still counts. Hm, a new puzzle...[makes Old Lady face and use of voice: "Back in the old [trembles and fondles head of wooden staff] days we didn't have internet citation issues in Academia."
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Wow
      JoshNovember 19, 2009 9:19 AM
      This doesn't seem real to me. It would be funny if it weren't true.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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