AUGUST 6-12, 2012
This week, read about a Chicago marketing initiative that has local tourism leaders' attention and see what's on the new Indianapolis Downtown Inc. president's to-do list. In Focus, find out why banks are angling for a piece of the Indianapolis market. And in A&E, see what Lou Harry thought of Virginia Avenue newcomer Bluebeard.
Front PageBack to Top
Showdown escalates in City-County Council over TIFs
Redevelopment of the Massachusetts Avenue fire station could remain in limbo for the foreseeable future, as Mayor Greg Ballard and council Democrats enter a standoff over tax increment financing districts.
Read MoreStar‘s labyrinth of aging buildings complicates sale, reuse
Local real estate pros say finding a reuse for the Indianapolis Star's HQ will be tricky. The newspaper is selling its labyrinth of buildings at 307 N. Pennsylvania St., which have multiple floor levels, narrow hallways and a basement built to house printing presses.
Read MoreBiz interests shy from gubernatorial hopeful Gregg
Technically, the Indiana governor’s race is wide open, but some deep-pocketed donors see Democrat John Gregg as a long shot. Gregg tripled his fundraising pace in the second quarter, but much of that was fueled by unions, rather than business groups and executives who’ve supported Democrats in the past.
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Chicago tourism push increases pressure on Indianapolis
Chicago tourism officials earlier this year unleashed a major advertising campaign that threatens to encroach on one of Indianapolis’ primary leisure travel segments. The Second City for the first time ever is marketing itself to other cities in the Midwest, such as St. Louis and Cincinnati, that are key targets for Indianapolis.
Read MoreDonors slow to support agencies serving seniors despite growing need
The aging population is expected to generate an explosion in demand for senior services—taxing a network of often thinly funded providers. Executives of such not-for-profits say they often encounter apathy toward senior causes.
Read More‘Creating a vision’ is job one for IDI’s new president
Sherry Seiwert, former executive director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, begins Aug. 6 as president of Indianapolis Downtown Inc., the group that charges itself with developing, maintaining and promoting the heart of the city.
Read MoreKeyCorp’s big bet on Indianapolis paying off
Over the last three years, Key has invested millions to add 13 central Indiana branches, bringing the total to 46.
Read MorePerforming arts groups rethink marketing subscriptions
The decline in season ticket sales has forced marketing managers to promote each show individually, which is trickier and more costly.
Read More$14M legal tab touches off new skirmish in Duke case
Citizens Action Coalition, Sierra Club, Save the Valley and Valley Watch are hoping questions over legal fees the utility agreed to pay attorneys for industrial customers scuttle a deal over cost overruns at the $3.3 billion Edwardsport coal gasification plant.
Read MoreLilly braces for decline in Europe
Austerity and upheaval in Europe have not hurt Eli Lilly and Co.’s $4 billion-a-year drug business there, but the company is moving forward with plans to survive a coming swoon anyway.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Banks angle for customers with Indianapolis operations
Hoosier banks from outside the Indianapolis area are piling into the market with branch locations, and with no let-up in sight.
Read MoreSome banks beginning to raise dividends
Some of the most telling signs that banks finally may be recovering from the economic downturn are their decisions to begin increasing dividends.
Read MoreRENNINGER: Community bankers fret a lot these days
Several strong headwinds make future viability of many smaller institutions a questionable proposition.
Read MoreCONNER: Uncertain times in the merger and acquisition market
Dealmakers are in a period of unprecedented uncertainty. Several factors are contributing. Here are questions I get.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Schoolteachers need more upside
Education reform in Indiana has come to a point where lawmakers need to find ways to attract more of the best and brightest into one of the most important of occupations, particularly as baby boomers retire.
Read MoreMAURER: Nursing babies into successful students
Goodwill’s team members concluded that if they were going to effectively reduce generational poverty and reverse these trends, they had to start with babies, especially with first-time mothers in poverty.
Read MoreRUSTHOVEN: Daniels laid foundation for Pence
GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence is proposing a 10-percent state income tax cut, a growth-spurring step that would benefit more than 90 percent of Hoosier businesses that pay individual income tax, and would give Indiana the lowest combined tax burden in our region.
Read MoreRACE: Washington Street rife with missed opportunities
Some of Washington Street's vitality can be recovered. An urban design plan for the street would identify a framework of existing and future landmarks, edges, open spaces and gateways.
Read MoreHICKS: Reflecting on a half century of economic growth
This summer marks the 50th year of Walmart, America’s manned space exploration and—youthful appearances notwithstanding—your columnist.
Read MoreKIM: Beware conflicts of interest when seeking financial help
There is no such thing as unbiased advice, and conflicts of interest are not automatically bad. However, it’s up to you to take steps to protect yourself from becoming “skinned” in this jungle.
Read MoreNCAA hit innocents
The NCAA president and executive board overstepped their authority by imposing very harsh penalties on the Penn State football program and by extension on the entire university.
Read MoreDesign is critical
Even something as mundane as a parking garage can make a first impression to a visitor.
Read MoreLocal legislators should lead on transit
A vibrant mass transit system is an essential next step to encourage economic development, improve quality of life and make Indianapolis more inviting.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Revamped Pan Am Plaza on track for October debut
Workers have ripped out the old fountain and crumbling bricks of Pan Am Plaza, making way for a waterproof membrane and new stone pavers in a Kite Realty Group Trust project to stabilize the plaza until it can pull off a redevelopment.
Read MoreAirport auction to draw out bargain-hunters
At the Indianapolis Airport Authority’s summer auction, one could buy pretty much everything except the runways and terminal.
Read MoreFashion Mall landlord suing tenant over unpaid rent
A division of Simon Property Group Inc. is suing Brisbane, Calif.-based Bebe Stores Inc., claiming the women’s clothing retailer owes it $64,000 in unpaid rent.
Read MoreCity’s Huber to head airport biz-development efforts
Michael Huber, the city’s deputy mayor for economic development since March 2010, is stepping down to take a lead role in commercial development at Indianapolis International Airport. He’ll be replaced by Bond Bank director Deron Kintner.
Read MoreCommittee passes domestic partner benefits proposal
The plan to offer health-care benefits to domestic partners of Indianapolis city workers passed a City-County Council committee by a 7-0 vote on Tuesday. The full council could consider the measure as early as Aug. 13.
Read MoreBrickyard 400 profitable despite falling crowds, experts say
Despite sharp attendance declines in recent years at the Brickyard 400, the NASCAR event remains hugely profitable for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, motorsports industry experts say.
Read MoreJudge won’t dismiss charge against ex-utility boss
A judge has refused to dismiss an official misconduct charge against Indiana's former top utility regulator, David Lott Hardy.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Interactive Intelligence Group Inc.
Indianapolis-based Interactive Intelligence Group Inc. develops communications and interactions-management software.
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