City taps new firm for Indiana Avenue strategy
A year after a $450,000 contract intended to help shape development for historic Indiana Avenue expired with no published results or recommendations, the city of Indianapolis has hired a new contractor.
Taylor Wooten
Articles
Holiday shopping at small businesses driven by online sales, social media focus
Small businesses are being impacted by economic instability, despite national predictions that call for record spending at small businesses this holiday season.
UPDATE: Metropolitan Development Commission approves east-side Wawa project
Convenience store chain Wawa has the go-ahead to build a location along IndyGo’s future Blue Line route after receiving a variance of development standards for the proposed project.
Indianapolis officials release Vision Zero plan to end road deaths by 2035
The 102-page plan—released by Indianapolis’ Vision Zero Task Force, part of the city’s ongoing street safety efforts—offers strategies that may improve driver behavior and road safety.
City-County Council OKs Irvington DORA plan, framework for future Indy districts
The City-County Council voted unanimously Monday to pass proposals that will allow some Indianapolis neighborhoods to create designated outdoor refreshment areas, or DORAs, starting with Irvington.
Council committee advances Irvington DORA plan, framework for future Indy districts
The City-County Council’s Rules and Public Policy Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a proposal creating Indianapolis’ first designated outdoor refreshment area.
Q&A: Indianapolis franchisee for Portland-based women’s sports-only bar is ready to go
IBJ spoke to Eve Keller about her life and love of women’s sports and spaces. Read on for a transcript of that conversation, edited for length and clarity.
City-County Council encounters obstacles to HR reform
Nearly six months ago, a Chicago law firm made a series of recommendations to the council aimed at making the city of Indianapolis a safer and better operation for its employees. Few of those recommendations have been implemented.
Indy homelessness providers delay winter plan, citing warmer weather patterns
Indianapolis won’t open up additional shelter space intended to house people during cold-weather months until Dec. 1 this year, a month later than usual.
Archaeologists complete excavation for planned Henry Street bridge
The total number of grave shafts found on the former cemetery site was about 2.5 times the initial estimate by the city. Construction on the $40 million Henry Street Bridge can now continue, but archaeological work on the remains is far from over.
Irvington could become site of city’s first DORA
Designated outdoor refreshment areas, or DORAs, have been widely established across the state since a law creating them was passed in 2023. But Indianapolis doesn’t yet have one.
Homebuilders hope new fees yield quicker approvals
The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services will more than double the cost for some permits next year, including those for building a new home or commercial structure in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis launches cash-assistance fund for expectant mothers
Using more than $2 million in philanthropic funding, 100 pregnant women in the city’s poorest ZIP codes will be given monthly cash-assistance allocations.
Metrobloks seeks rezoning for $500M Martindale-Brightwood data center on 14 acres
The rezoning application to the Department of Metropolitan Development shows that Los Angeles-based Metrobloks intends to build two large buildings, a pocket park and a power substation on a 13.68-acre parcel.
City leaders direct $1M toward food banks to offset possible SNAP loss
City leaders, local companies and food banks have teamed up to create a $1 million-plus partnership and fundraising push to help more than 200 food pantries in Indianapolis.
City hosts groundbreaking for low-barrier shelter expected to open in 2027
The project is being funded through a $12 million commitment from the city along with $20 million approved by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
Is Washington Square Mall for sale? Here’s what the owner says.
Vijay Kumar Vemulapalli, principal of Washington Square owner Durga Property Holdings, said he thinks the city of Indianapolis is issuing code violations in an attempt to force him to sell the property.
City-County Council leaders seek third-party review for city HR complaints
Council leaders say they want a third party to investigate human resources complaints at the City-County Building, but steps on how that would happen are far from being worked out.
Historic churches present opportunity, challenges
Successful adaptive reuses of historic church structures can be an uphill climb, often pitting church organizations at odds with neighbors.
Council releases additional information from investigative law firm, HR policy recommendations
A special meeting of the council next week will allow public comment regarding the recommendations, based on the results of an investigation into Mayor Joe Hogsett’s handling of harassment allegations within his administration.