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It is a shame that unique landmarks like the caboose are not seen by the city as important. The point and appeal of Broad Ripple is its interwoven fabric of new and old. Rather than saying, “This does not work with our plan,” it would be great to have our city say, “How can we make this work with our plan?” even if it involved moving up or down the trail a bit. Property taxes for this tiny parcel are a side issue.
Well stated. Further validating that our city is run by imbeciles starting at the top.
+2
Bob P!! We agree on an issue!!!
I imagine the concern here is widening the trail without impacting the parking spaces. If there’s anything the closure of BR Ave early in the pandemic told us, it is that business owners in Broad Ripple are hyper-concerned about parking access. You could probably keep or get it moved nearby or route the widening around the caboose, but it would probably cost 4-8 parking spaces.
Hi GB.
Thanks for the comments and perspective. For six years, I’ve been asking about the parks department plans for the property. To date, they have “no plans” for the property. The trail is to be widened by two feet and the city have the space even with the caboose sitting in place.
The decks at Brics and Public Greens directly about the trail. Will those businesses be asked/forced to remove their decks and or close their businesses for the widening?
+1
The city has already allowed the destruction of Broad Ripple Village with their reckless zoning approvals while chasing the almighty tax dollar. I for one have abandoned Broad Ripple in its new state. I have taken my business elsewhere.
Have to agree. The multi story condos on every inch of available dirt make the Monon and canal an unrecognizable canyon. Throw in the cluster that is the Red Line, and BR is not an attractive destination.
Chuck – what “multi story condos” are there in Broad Ripple besides the ones east of Westfield Blvd by Oxbow?
With the arrival of the four new multi-story apartment buildings in the heart of the business district, roughly a thousand new residents now live within a short walk of the shops, restaurants, and bars. New restaurants and businesses have opened in the district as well, and they are thriving. There is a new vibe in Broad Ripple. It’s energy makes it a destination neighborhood for living, working, and playing.
Bureaucrats are hopeless.
Where can we find more information about the planned widening of the trail? I went to an informational meeting in 2019, then read a snipet about the widening being delayed for a year due to poor planning by the city, but haven’t been able to find any updates since then other than this article mentioning “later this summer”…. Also, sad news about the caboose.
I mean I guess its neat, but it has never been any type of public business or otherwise used in a way that engages the public. At times it has even looked pretty worn down. I’m fine with it being moved.
Also damn, I really should’ve gotten in on this CBD bandwagon.
Hi Matt.
The caboose was used as a local real estate company servicing the public from 2007-2015. It was also used by many that simply asked if they could get married there, take family photos, political stumping, visit with Santa, etc.
During the years that I owned it and operated it, the property was always kept immaculate. The parks department even used it a a signature piece for visiting dignitaries that wanted to see the value in rehabbing a railway for public use.
JR Walsh
Thanks for your comments.
From the get-go starting with the headline this story paints the City as the bad guy, yet the story says that the prior owner was given prior notice and an extension to May 31, 2021, and yet he marketed and sold the caboose without disclosing that it had to be moved by that date. Any property owner is entitled to manage the use of its property as it sees fit. The owner’s beef is with the guy that sold the caboose to him.
Hi Matt.
The caboose was used as a local real estate company servicing the public from 2007-2015. It was also used by many that simply asked if they could get married there, take family photos, political stumping, visit with Santa, etc.
During the years that I owned it and operated it, the property was always kept immaculate. The parks department even used it a a signature piece for visiting dignitaries that wanted to see the value in rehabbing a railway for public use.
JR Walsh
Thanks for your comments.
Hi Robert.
There are always two sides to a story, and then there’s the truth. I can’t even begin to tell you how many people wanted to purchase the caboose after the city gave me an ultimatum and a final deadline. Unfortunately, the city would not give any potential buyer the time of day in regards to keeping the caboose at the same location.
The organization to which I donated the caboose was well aware of the timeframe established by the city- just wanted to clarify the misinformation.
JR Walsh
Broad Ripple is a lost cause. The community has no respect for history and it’s own sense of place.
Sadly, there seems to be no cooperation from the government side even though “they” have no real plan other than a 2 foot widening.
They whine about lost property taxes – how much can that be for 6/100ths of an acre and in a flood plain without a business on it? The assessed value of that cannot be much…but then again, the City could have used those “alleged lost” property tax funds to fill maybe ~4-5 chuckholes in their lousy streets.
Frankly, a business owner and a residential property owner should be seen as customers of the City because “we” generate revenue for the City but sadly in today’s government mentality, they see us as their servants to their swollen egos. The City needs to grow up and find a way to work this out for the betterment of BR but I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Absolutely on target. I looked up the AV on other properties on the City property. It’s minuscule — between $2,000 and $29,000. The caboose is an amenity and a reminder of the historic grounding of the Monon Trail. The charm of Broadripple is gone.
This is so stupid. Led by the Cartoon Mayor that has absolutely no clue.
If only Pothole was as vigilant about moving the vagrants from in front of his office, as he is about moving a train car
Always follow the money
.Who profits by removing the caboose?
The gardens of Martha Hoovers restaurant are just as close to the trail and even obstruct sight lines when crossing the Monon..The new Java Junction takes up.space along Monon too..The depot and the caboose reinforce the history of the Monon Trail. why are we erasing the history of Railroads in BroadRipple?
I smell a skunk in this rigid approach to a beloved landmark.on a teeny piece of land.
The parks department should purchase the caboose and convert it to a trailhead/restroom facilities.
Help me out here with the logic that the city/parks department is complaining of lost property tax payments (in the “thousands of the dollars”) but “may” convert the tiny space to a widening of the Monon Trail. Are hikers & bikers going to pay tax for using this new widening of the trail? Sounds like a non sequitur to me.