Soccer stadium likely would find other uses—especially if it’s downtown
The Indy Eleven would likely need the $150 million soccer stadium proposed by owner Ersal Ozdemir for only about 20 matches a year.
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Candlewood Suites lands $10M in financing
Candlewood plans to use the money for extensive renovations at its 142-room property.
Hoteliers oppose legislation that’s tied to convention center expansion
Some of the biggest hotel operators in Indianapolis say the city would not be able to absorb the 800-room and 600-room hotels planned by Kite Realty Group Trust alongside the proposed expansion of the Indiana Convention Center at Pan Am Plaza.
Kurt Vonnegut Museum planning to buy building on Indiana Avenue
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is hoping to raise $1.5 million to acquire the building, which would house the museum and a cafe operated by the owners of Bluebeard restaurant.
Don’t expect comedian Sasheer Zamata to pull any punches
The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and Indianapolis native is planning the followup to her debut 2017 stand-up special, “Pizza Mind,” and honing her act on the road.
Fans of late champion cyclist Major Taylor say it’s time for city to embrace icon
The African-American cyclist—who took the world by storm at the turn of the 20th century is finally receiving the national admiration he never garnered while alive.
Upgrades by city, Indiana Repertory Theatre boost future of iconic building
The Indiana Theatre building, which opened in 1927 as a movie palace topped with a ballroom, had been in need of TLC for years.
NFL Combine could ink new Indy extension deal later this year
The five-day NFL Combine has been hosted in Indianapolis since 1987, and efforts are underway to ensure the showcase calls the city home for the next several years.
Indiana Senate approves sports betting, casino moves
The legislation would legalize sports wagering, let horse-track casinos add table games this year as opposed to waiting until 2021 and allow two Gary casinos to move.
Study finds rail-with-trail idea much costlier than trail-only plan, Fishers says
The city of Fishers has released a study that says constructing a trail on the Nickel Plate Railroad corridor would cost at least $20 million more if the development maintained a rail line alongside the trail.
Senate panel votes to legalize sports betting, move Gary casino to Terre Haute
Spectacle Entertainment—a company founded by some of the same investors that operated Centaur before it was purchased by Caesars Entertainment—is in the process of buying Gary-based Majestic Star Casino I and Majestic Star Casino. It has said it wants to move one of the casinos to the Interstate 80/94 corridor and the other to Terre Haute.
East 10th Street pursues status as arts district; some neighbors brace for change
A new, $4.3 million Lilly Endowment grant is poised to spark the transformation of a one-mile stretch of East 10th Street into a hotbed for the arts.
Billionaire Icahn wants Caesars Entertainment to sell itself
Caesars owns four of Indiana’s highest-revenue casinos and any sale would need approval from the Indiana Gaming Commission and Indiana Horse Racing Commission.
Vision for Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers includes rec center, playgrounds, reading nooks, plazas
Fishers intends to start construction on the first section of the trail, from 106th Street to 126th Street, later this year.
Developer seeks OK for 16-story addition to historic downtown tower
The owner of a historic downtown office building that’s being redeveloped into a hotel is seeking city approval to build a towering addition that would replace most of an adjacent 96-year-old building.
Pacers roll out hat-knitting initiative ahead of 2021 NBA All-Star events
The Nothing But Knit campaign is the first community initiative tied to the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, and aims to collect up to 5,000 knitted beanies for distribution to volunteers, hospitality workers, players and league officials.
Bill could allow one Gary casino to move anywhere in state
One of Gary’s two casino licenses could be allowed to operate at any location in Indiana under new legislation. A previous bill limited the casino move to Vigo County.
Bill transforming state tourism office clears hurdle in Statehouse
The proposal would turn the Office of Tourism Development into the Indiana Destination Development Corp., a quasi-governmental group that could accept funding from tourism organizations.
Arts Council names longtime marketing exec as new CEO
Julie Goodman will take the job March 4, replacing Dave Lawrence, who stepped down in August after 19 years with the organization, including the past nine as president and CEO.
IRT raises curtain on $18.5M fundraising campaign
The campaign already has collected $17 million in commitments from donors, officials said. About two-thirds of the ultimate goal is earmarked for beefing up the theater company’s endowment.