Council committee shoots down plan for justice center
Mayor Greg Ballard's $1.6 billion justice center project suffered what could be a fatal blow in an Indianapolis City-County Council committee Tuesday night.
Kathleen McLaughlin
Articles
Chamber, neighborhood group endorse justice center
The organizations see the controversial, $1.6 billion project as a catalyst for redevelopment downtown. A City-County Council committee is set to weigh the proposed development deal Tuesday night.
Judge sides with city in dispute over $45M Covanta recycling center
Companies and a private citizen who sued the city of Indianapolis over a recycling deal with Covanta lacked legal standing to bring their complaint, a Marion County judge has ruled.
Justice center bidding process yielded single eligible firm
After running a closed-door procurement in which the three bidders were allowed to shape the city’s final requirements for building the Marion County Justice Center, two proposals came in above the city’s ceiling payment of $50 million for the first full year.
Special review panel advances justice center plan
A special review committee, the Marion County Justice Complex Board, voted 4-1 Wednesday in favor of a 35-year, $1.6 billion deal with WMB Heartland Justice Partners, moving the issue closer to a vote by the full City-County Council.
Disciples could keep 2017 convention in Indy
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will decide next week whether the change to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act is enough to keep its 2017 convention in Indianapolis.
Indy Eleven’s new goal: city support for stadium
Indy Eleven hired multiple Statehouse lobbyists in its quest for a publicly financed stadium, but the biggest bang for the soccer team’s buck might come from winning over Mayor Greg Ballard.
Untested ‘one-bin’ trash/recycling solution on way
Under a plan by Indianapolis and Covanta, consumers would throw everything into one trash bin and automated sorting equipment would pluck out recyclables. Opponents say the early experience of Montgomery, Alabama, provides evidence that the sorting technology isn’t effective.
Indy senator who co-authored RFRA faces challenge in 2016
Moderate Republicans and his last Democratic challenger are eyeing Scott Schneider’s seat, which he hung onto in 2012 with less than 50 percent of the vote.
City could be short $37M on justice center financing, analysis says
Mayor Greg Ballards are overblown, according to an analysis by the City-County Council. The city could face shortfalls in 2018 through 2026 ranging from less than $1 million to $10 million.
City-County Council OKs ordinance against religious freedom act
The vote was 24-4 with Republican council members Virginia Cain, Aaron Freeman, Jason Holliday and Jack Sandlin voting against it.
Centaur holding out hope for live dealers at racinos
Centaur Gaming plans to release an annual report this week that plays up its charitable contributions and tax payments as state senators debate whether to allow the company to add live dealers at its central Indiana racetrack casinos.
Ballard, like predecessor, doesn’t have city email address
The mayor declined to set up a city email account when he took office in 2008, and he does not use one to this day.
Senate panel backs renovating Carroll Stadium for soccer
Indiana Senate fiscal leaders threw their support Tuesday morning behind spending $20 million to improve the Michael Carroll Stadium at IUPUI to benefit the Indy Eleven professional soccer team and to lure other events to Indianapolis.
Denison, Browning snap up Hendricks County parcels
Denison Partners has agreed to buy a one-acre parcel near the southwest corner of Interstate 70 and State Road 267, and Browning plans to buy 11.7 acres near the southwest corner of Washington Street and Ronald Reagan Parkway, an airport spokesperson said.
Regulators launch formal inquiry into IPL’s downtown explosions
Regulators are taking “extraordinary” steps to investigate the failure of Indianapolis Power & Light’s underground network, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Chairwoman Carol Stephan said at a special meeting Friday morning.
Secretive ‘bill mill’ gets local foothold
An offshoot of the American Legislative Exchange Council that aims to influence local government is making inroads in Indiana. The American City County Exchange, which launched about a year ago, has 22 members from eight Indiana counties, including Marion and Hamilton.
Niche airline launches nonstop service to Milwaukee
A new company that allows travelers to book flights on corporate jets will debut commercial service with flights from Indianapolis next month.
Council President Maggie Lewis campaign reports thin on details
Indianapolis City-County Council President Maggie Lewis received more than $10,000 from her campaign over the past three years as reimbursement for various expenses. Her campaign reported almost all of the payments with no other description of purpose than a one-letter code, “O” for operations, as required by law.
State’s pensions stung by oil plunge
The drop in oil prices since July left more money in consumer bank accounts, but it was costly to Indiana’s pension funds.