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NOTIONS: Oh, the things we worry about in modern America

July 9, 2007

My wife, Cheri, and I live in one of those newfangled, don’tstray-from-the-mainstream neighborhoods. It’s governed by wellmeaning “covenants and restrictions.” It has “architectural control guidelines.” These documents were formulated by a “development control committee” to “enhance the value and appearance of the community.” (We’re especially concerned with the “value” part, until our property-tax bills arrive, at which point we protest the assessed value.) Included among the controls in our neighborhood is a color palette. I imagine some designer back in…

VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY: Upon further review … new reasons for old buildings

September 3, 2007

Buildings, just like people, have lives. They’re born, they do their jobs, they take on new roles and, after about 75 years, most of them reach the end. Sadly, some beautiful ones die too soon, while a few ugly ones live too long. How should we decide when to save a building or when to tear it down? And have the reasons changed? The terms of renovation are well-known (adaptive re-use, mixed-use development and historic preservation). When our actions meet…

Charter designs require creativity: Local architect Axis building school niche

September 3, 2007

Much of what defines a charter school is in sharp contrast with the traditional model found in public school districts. And the differences start with the structure itself. Charter schools, due to budget restraints, typically involve renovations of a buildings once used for entirely different purposes. From there, the architecture and interior design must create a look and functionality educators say enhances learning and instills in students a sense of ownership and pride in their eventual alma mater. “No one…

Local corporations maintain FFA convention funding: Main goal: getting attention of future leaders

October 22, 2007

Indianapolis-area companies are ponying up $1.15 million to help put on this month’s National FFA convention, an event expected to draw more than 55,000 members and their chaperones to the city. They’re backing the bigbudget affair largely because of the access it gives them to future leaders-from tomorrow’s policymakers to those who could someday work at these local firms. And the city is putting on quite a show to get the attention of the roughly 46,000 12-to 21-year-old members and…

Dunkin’ Donuts’ expansion plans may create coffee clash: Chain could put damper on Starbucks’ local growth

October 22, 2007

The return of Dunkin’ Donuts to the metropolitan area last month gave java lovers here their first whiff of a brewing coffee war. The Boston-area-based chain’s Carmel location is one of 80 franchised stores slated to open within the next eight years. Its re-entry into the market is part of a national campaign to more than double the number of its 6,000 locations by reinventing itself to challenge Seattle’s Starbucks. Dunkin’ Donuts is rolling out concept stores with hipper furniture…

EYE ON THE PIE: News offers savory opportunities

October 29, 2007

I save newspaper items thinking they will make good columns. But with only one column per week, I end up with piles of good ideas. Here are four items I found interesting: Another sports opportunity: The National Lacrosse League has canceled its season. I didn’t know there was a league of 13 professional lacrosse teams. This was another instance of players and owners not being able to come to agreement on salaries. Both of those groups and the fans are…

What’s new is old for Brooks: Former U.S. attorney finding familiar ground in Ivy Tech positions

November 19, 2007

Susan Brooks seems to have returned to her roots in her new role with Ivy Tech Community College. The former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana began Oct. 1 leading the post-secondary educational institution’s work force and economic development functions, as well as becoming its general counsel. Brooks spent her growing-up years in Fort Wayne watching her father, a high school teacher and football coach, push his students and players on the football field and in the classroom….

Ritter’s sets new game plan

November 26, 2007

The Indianapolis-based parent of the Ritter’s Frozen Custard brand has been stuck in a cold streak lately, facing scores of
new ice-cream competitors and a dwindling lineup of franchisees. But RFC Franchising LLC is planning big changes designed
to firm up the home-grown chain, which now has 48 stores in nine states, down from more than 60 locations in 2005.

WXIN to simulcast morning news on WTTV

November 26, 2007

Starting Jan. 2, the morning newscast on WXIN-TV Channel 59 will be simulcast on its sister station, WTTV-TV Channel 4. While other central Indiana affiliates offer a blended local and national morning newscast, WXIN is the only station to offer an all-local weekday news show. The local “Fox 59 Morning News” airs from 6 a.m. […]

Critics fear tax reform will favor suburbs

December 10, 2007

As legislators prepare to overhaul the state’s property-tax system, Marion County’s future hangs in the balance. Indianapolis
residents–particularly in the city’s older, urban core–already pay far higher taxes than their suburban counterparts. And
arguably get less bang for their buck. Changes on the table could make Marion County an even tougher sell.

Road getting bumpy for ethanol plants

December 10, 2007

The list of potential Hoosier ethanol plants is nothing short of astounding for a state that had just one ethanol-fuel distillery
as recently as 2005. Beyond the six ethanol plants now operating and six others under construction, Purdue University agricultural
economist Chris Hurt counts 27 others under consideration for Indiana.

Building them like they used to: Bloomington development bucks zoning standards to blend new with old

December 17, 2007

As high-density residential construction booms in downtown Bloomington and sprawl continues in surrounding Monroe County, a new development is offering an old-school alternative. The South Dunn Street development will include 38 bungalows, four squares and 1-1/2 story cottages-the same early 20th-century styles that occupy the rest of the surrounding Bryan Park neighborhood. Deep front porches fill much of the small front yards. There are no driveways in the front, only alleys in the back. Three street-front commercial buildings will create…

NY Times job helps ACS Sign gain attention

January 14, 2008

ACS Sign System’s unusual approach to sign-making–some are not strictly signs at all–has helped the company grow its revenue
and expand its footprint beyond Indiana. In recent years, sales outside its home state have grown from 20 percent of total
revenue to almost half.

Indianapolis plant wins manufacturing award

January 29, 2008

An Indianapolis plant owned by Kentucky-based General Cable Corp. has been named one of the 10 best in the nation by the trade publication Industry Week. The plant, at 7920 Rockville Road near Indianapolis International Airport, makes polymer compounds. It combines Six Sigma continuous improvement and lean manufacturing techniques, and blends managers and union workers […]

Officials plan streetcar comeback

February 5, 2008

Some top civic leaders have quietly created a not-for-profit organization to study and build a streetcar “circulator” system downtown. Downtown Indianapolis Streetcar Corp. would bring the electric vehicles to the streets for the first time since the 1950s. Notable members of the group include Bob Bedell, former president of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, […]

HAMILTON COUNTY

March 17, 2008

HAMILTON COUNTY Carmel lauded for wastewater purification leadership Carmel’s wastewater treatment process is so innovative that it’s been judged a “best practice.” The Washington, D.C.-based National League of Cities maintains a database of best practices for its 18,000 members. In October 2005, Carmel opened the nation’s first municipal BioPasteur system to process solid biological waste, […]

VIEWPOINT: Indianapolis’ utility acne syndrome

March 24, 2008

It took decades of turning a blind eye to get here: Indianapolis has draped itself in utility poles. Walk, ride, jog or drive to any major street in Indianapolis, with the exceptions of a few designated boulevards, streets and avenues. Take a mental picture of where you are. Now, with Photoshop in your mind, remove the web of utility poles and wires from that picture and quickly open your eyes. We’re visually strangled by them. Few streets are exempt from…

NASCAR ponders following IRL’s lead with ethanol: Green marketing a major motivator for race series

April 7, 2008

The Indy Racing League was the first North American race series to use an alternative fuel to power its cars. Now it appears NASCAR might follow suit-news that has the attention of race fans and sponsors alike. “We’re looking at eight or nine different alternative fuels,” said Andrew Giangola, NASCAR director of business communication. “Ethanol is one of the alternatives we’re looking at.” NASCAR has put no timetable on adopting an alternative fuel. Because the league switched from leaded, petroleum-based…

SHELBY COUNTY: BANKING on BEANS

April 21, 2008

SHELBY COUNTY BANKING on BEANS Integrity Biofuels in Morristown persevering despite run-up in soy prices MORRISTOWN-Two years ago this August, the biggest thing in this Shelby County town of 1,300 residents was not the Bunge North America soybean processing plant. Not even its three silos, each as big as an aircraft carrier planted upright by […]

Low-key guitarist’s ‘workaholic’ approach helps Margot gain fame