JANUARY 27-FEBRUARY 2, 2014

This week, Scott Olson reports that downtown soon could have a new concert venue the size of Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville. REI Investments, which co-developed the JW Marriott, is behind the plan, which would incorporate at least part of the former GM stamping plant on the western edge of downtown. Also in this issue, Kathleen McLaughlin details a push by the Indy Chamber to create a commuter tax that would hit outsiders who work in Marion County. And in A&E, sports columnist Mike Lopresti reveals how Carmel High School has been able to create a 27-year dynasty in state girls swimming.

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New concert venue proposed for GM plant site

January 23, 2014 | Scott Olson

A concert venue rivaling the size of Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville has emerged as the favorite in a bid to redevelop the former General Motors metal-stamping plant on the western edge of downtown.

Indy Chamber proposes commuter tax

January 23, 2014 | Kathleen McLaughlin

Indy Chamber is making the case for a commuter tax, arguing that it’s the best way to solve continual fiscal problems threatening to make Marion County, thus the whole metro area, less competitive.

Investors seek payoff from Indiana oil wells that big players ignore

January 23, 2014 | Chris O'Malley

Indiana is experiencing a mini oil-boom, thanks to some big producers, but some small, private investors are also in on the game, through Indianapolis-based Midwest Energy Partners, formed four years ago by former CountryMark executive Bill Herrick.

Riley building statewide physician network

January 23, 2014 | J.K. Wall

Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health has signed up 200 area pediatricians to be part of its new physician network. The move is the first step in an effort to build a statewide network of doctors that would use the Riley brand.

Airport looking to solve runoff problem from de-icing

January 23, 2014 | Kathleen McLaughlin

Indianapolis International Airport officials are looking for a way to cut their sewage-treatment bill, which topped $1 million last year because of the large volume of de-icing chemical that ends up in retention ponds.

Biglari’s Steak n Shake licensing deal stirs up critics

January 23, 2014 | Greg Andrews

Under the 20-year deal, Sardar Biglari won’t receive royalties if he remains atop the company. But if he were forced out of for anything but malfeasance, or if it were sold, he’d receive 2.5 percent of sales for five years—a sum that could surpass $100 million.

City, state to scrutinize charter curriculum that questions evolution

January 22, 2014 | J.K. Wall

A Texas-based education organization with approval to open two Indianapolis charter schools teaches creationism and Christian-based character virtues, according to an article by Slate.com. It has prompted an expedited review of the group’s curriculum by Indianapolis and state education officials.

Investment firm ties crowd-funding to traditional fundraising

January 23, 2014 | Dan Human

The online investing marketplace Localstake brokered a little more than $1 million in private investments for an Indiana distillery and a solar-heating startup in 2013, through crowd-funding. Instead of receiving a T-shirt or other novelty for their money, as with typical crowd funding, contributors received an actual stake in the business.

Indiana missing out on IPO fever

January 22, 2014 | Chris O'Malley

A new law might encourage more companies to go public.

EDITORIAL: Booze regulation needs an update

January 23, 2014 | IBJ Staff

Someday, perhaps not too many years from now, Indiana will have liquor laws that are well-reasoned and rationale.

MORRIS: Public notice belongs in newspapers

January 23, 2014 | Greg Morris

We shouldn’t cut corners in publishing the information you need about the activities of government.

LATZ, VANAGS, DAVIS: Trade is crucial to Indianapolis’ future

January 23, 2014 | Gil Latz / Special to IBJ and Kathy Davis / Special to IBJ and Marty Vanags / Special to IBJ

Over the past two decades, Indianapolis has become a vibrant metropolitan area, powering growth throughout Indiana. The next phase for the Indy region requires not just statewide progress, but global integration.

KENNEDY: No single religious definition of marriage

January 23, 2014 | Sheila Suess Kennedy

Here in Indiana, we’re used to religious warfare. We aren’t called the buckle of the Bible Belt for nothing.

Bosma’s collaborative style put to huge test

January 23, 2014 | Ed Feigenbaum

The House speaker has done his utmost to downplay the importance of the proposed same-sex marriage amendment within the context of the Republican agenda this year.

Hicks: Consumption inequality is the real issue

January 23, 2014 | Mike Hicks

No economic facts are likely to steer the policy debate away from income inequality. This is mostly because today’s discussion is simply a convenient way to change the subject from other policy failures.

Skarbeck: Decline in listed stocks not likely to continue

January 23, 2014 | Ken Skarbeck

The number of traded stocks has been shrinking, but as both the economy and stock market continue to recover, private equity firms will seek to list their holdings as IPOs and the number of publicly traded stocks may once again expand.

Construction moratorium would hurt consumers

January 23, 2014 |

Imagine if lawmakers decided to ban all new home construction, citing too many vacant houses around the state. Or put a ban on new car dealerships so there wouldn’t be so much competition.

‘Ag gag’ masks abuse

January 23, 2014 |

Indiana’s “ag gag” law was put to rest in the last hours of the 2013 legislative session, but this month on the first day of the new session was introduced again.

Volcker Rule was regulatory overkill

January 23, 2014 |

Ken Skarbeck opined [Jan. 13] that federal regulators should continue to pile more regulation on the financial services industry. Specifically, he faults the American Bankers Association for suing federal banking regulators over implementation of the Volcker Rule of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Indianapolis Business Journal