FEB. 28-MARCH 5, 2020
This week, Kurt Christian takes a close look at the cost overruns for Carmel’s Hotel Carmichael project and whether they’re consistent with rising construction costs industrywide. Experts say material and labor costs have increased by 20 percent or more in recent years, but the 46 percent rise in the Carmichael project’s cost is definitely outside the norm. Also in this week’s issue, Lindsey Erdody reports that Indiana could have a significant role to play in the Democratic primary process. The heated battle for the nomination suggests the state could have a contested primary on May 5, and that could pack a punch for the state’s economy in terms of campaign events, advertisements and staffing. And Susan Orr reports that the city of Indianapolis is looking at whether it can secure $72 million in funding for a long-planned Decatur Township road project that supporters say would spark economic activity along one of the county’s least-developed corridors.
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Huge cost overruns on Carmel hotel fuel questions about construction costs
The cost of the 122-room, city-backed hotel has swelled to $58.5 million, up from $40 million when the Carmel City Council green-lighted it two years ago. Some councilors have called for an audit to dig into the details.
Read MoreCity considers building $72M road in Decatur Township
The city of Indianapolis is looking at whether it can secure $72 million in funding for a long-planned Decatur Township road project that supporters say would spark economic activity along one of the county’s least-developed corridors.
Read MoreCould Indiana matter in Democratic presidential primary?
The heated battle for the Democratic nomination for president is raising the prospect that Indiana could have a contested primary on May 5. That could pack a punch for the state’s economy, thanks to campaign events, advertisements and staffing.
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Tiny Hancock Health embarks on ambitious, long-term growth plan
Over the past two years, Hancock Health has bought 140 acres of empty farmland at the Mount Comfort exit of Interstate 70 for a development it has named Hancock Gateway Park.
Read MoreProminent exec pulled into wife’s legal woes
The trustee in former Banc-Serv CEO Kerri Agee’s bankruptcy is suing her husband, Indianapolis businessman Ben Crawford, in an effort to recoup more than $1.4 million.
Read MoreEd Feigenbaum: State’s longest-serving House speaker prepares to turn over gavel
House Speaker Brian Bosma is turning control over to Rep. Todd Huston, who isn’t wedded to policies of the past simply because they were justified when enacted and once worked.
Read MoreINDY BEACONS: Dick the Bruiser mixed pro wrestling, promoting
For decades, the Indianapolis-based World Wrestling Association was operated by its biggest star, Dick the Bruiser, who lived in Indianapolis most of his adult life.
Read MoreQ&A with Jon Laramore, Indiana Legal Services executive director
Jon Laramore served as chief counsel to two governors, co-led the appellate practice at Faegre Baker Daniels, and successfully argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Lawsuit claims former ClearObject owners overstated revenue projections by millions
Egis Capital Partners and ABS Capital Partners claim several high-profile ClearObject executives, including CEO John McDonald, deceived them about how much revenue and profit the company was projected to make.
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CarMax plans second Indy-area superstore, near Greenwood
In order to move forward with the south-side project, the publicly traded used-car behemoth must receive a variance of use for auto retailing on the land.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Justice center’s first building—a center for addictions, mental health—nears completion
The city is just six months from a tentative opening for the first piece of the justice campus project, the 37,000-square-foot Assessment and Intervention Center. Construction on other buildings in phase one is well underway, and the city has started planning for phases two and three.
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Ratio joins team on Raleigh city hall
Indianapolis-based Ratio is working with New York-based Henning Larsen and the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, on a 20-story city hall building to consolidate public services and provide other amenities.
Read MoreJohnson & Johnson plans new warehouse, 300 jobs in Hendricks County
The distribution arm of the New Jersey-based company plans to spend $110 million on project, which will include specialized handling and storage technologies for medical devices.
Read MoreU.S. home construction dips 3.6% in January
The U.S. Commerce Department reported that builders started construction on 1.57 million homes, a decline of 3.6% from 1.63 million units in December. That had been the highest point since late 2006 at the peak of the housing boom of the last decade.
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Editorial: State should let cities set rules for landlord/tenant relations
Rules about evictions and landlord/tenant relations seem like especially important decisions to be made locally. After all, the landlord-tenant rules that work in Bloomington or West Lafayette—communities that are packed with rental housing for students—might be less appropriate for suburban communities or urban centers.
Read MoreGREG MORRIS: IMPD Mounted Patrol needs more funding
Police on horseback build bridges between law enforcement and members of the community who are usually suspicious of cops. Supporting a new facility for the horses will secure the program’s future.
Read MorePatrice Dawson: Madam Walker’s legacy still inspires a century later
While the struggles my fellow African American women face today are different from the ones Madam Walker faced as a daughter of slaves in the late 1800s, we can all learn from the persistence that led to her becoming an influential African American businesswomen and one of the first to become a millionaire.
Read MoreJulie Reed: End surprise billing without damaging access to care
Without an independent dispute resolution process, physicians are concerned the repercussions will lead to higher health care costs and less access to critical care—the exact problems lawmakers have vowed to fix.
Read MoreGarrett Mintz: The fallacy of thinking that work must be a calling
Workers run in their own lanes and live their own lives and can achieve happiness and self-actualization in their own ways.
Read MoreURBAN DESIGN: Planting trees: A simple act with many benefits
We shouldn’t accept the existence of barren, tree-less blocks downtown or elsewhere in our city.
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Criticism of president’s budget is deserved but off the mark
Trump’s proposal does little to address the rising tide of national debt.
Read MorePETE THE PLANNER: Don’t confuse putting things off with patience
There’s a giant difference between the two, and knowing the difference can save your financial life. Patience is strategic, if not pragmatic, while waiting is a gamble.
Read MoreGOP should tighten charter-school oversight
For-profit school proposals need more vetting and oversight than the Republicans seem willing to support. It’s time to ask our representatives to change their approach, or we need to change these legislators.
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Steak n Shake planning to convert more restaurants to counter-service-only models
Sardar Biglari, CEO of Steak n Shake parent Biglari Holdings Inc., said in his annual report to shareholders that the chain’s performance went from “bad to worse” in 2019.
Read MoreFranklin College promotes acting leader to president
Franklin College on Monday named Kerry Prather as president. Prather was appointed acting president effective Jan. 14 after the school fired President Thomas Minar, who faces three criminal charges related to child solicitation.
Read MoreNexstar hires news director for sibling stations WXIN, WTTV
Arriving from Pennsylvania’s capital city, the veteran manager will take over newsrooms that suffered job cuts late last year.
Read MoreForefrontBack to Top
Una Osili: Racial gaps in entrepreneurship exacerbate inequality
The venture sector is 87% white—and only 4% African American and Latino.
Read MoreJohn McDonald: We need to turn around entrepreneurism in Indiana
Wouldn’t it be great if all of our state’s experienced entrepreneurs would take budding leaders under their wing and help them avoid the avoidable?
Read MoreCameron Carter: Nostalgia not enough to save Indiana Beach
Redevelopment is key, but will Apex sit and hold like the value-extruding, balance-sheet enterprise it seems to be?
Read MoreDana Black: Voter ID laws part of long history voter suppression
No matter your political affiliation, you should want all eligible citizens to have access to the ballot.
Read MoreSid Mishkin: Democrats can’t be picky in race to beat Trump
We can work on our differences after the election.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: Sanders plan for corporate accountability unworkable
Equality needs to come through revision of laws that directly implement true income equality, such as the tax code.
Read MoreMike Oles III: It’s just common sense to hold companies accountable
The president can sign an executive order that says if you offshore jobs, you won’t get federal contracts.
Read MoreSteve Sanders: Ball State erred in handling of professor
A serious university demonstrates fairness and due process before taking punitive action against a faculty member or student.
Read MoreGary Varvel: Here’s how to address Indy’s startling homicide rate
Washington believed national morality required religious principles to guide people to make moral decisions.
Read MoreBeverly Gard: Protecting Indiana’s precious water resources
No amount of regulation can prevent irresponsibility or carelessness.
Read MoreClaire Fiddian-Green: Leaving a legacy: Lessons from two role models
Define your purpose in life. Work hard to achieve it. Invest in your personal relationships.
Read MoreBrad Rateike: Everyone needs a mentor—and a champion
The true champion model is meant to encourage, support and reward authentic virtue, competence and accomplishment.
Read MoreEd DeLaney: Blaming the rural folks for Republican inaction
If you have gerrymandered districts and long-serving members from safe, rural districts, you get ‘rural rule.
Read MoreDeborah Hearn Smith: Greed, power are overshadowing real needs
Even in the current darkness, hope must be maintained.
Read MoreJennifer L. Ping: Indiana needs policies that support pregnant women
More women than ever are working and are the primary income earners for their families in Indiana.
Read MoreAdrianne Slash: We must come together to serve Indy’s youth
Stepping up can empower a generation. Let’s do that.
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MIKE LOPRESTI: Butler’s big run still paying off
Ten years after a gut-wrenching loss to Duke in the NCAA championship game, the campus is full of reminders that victory isn’t always measured on the scoreboard.
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