Miss the first mayoral debate? Watch it here
IBJ and Indy Chamber hosted a mayoral debate Thursday night between incumbent Mayor Joe Hogsett and his GOP challenger, Sen. Jim Merritt.
City Government
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Historic preservation commission votes to protect Drake Apartments
The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission voted Wednesday night to put a historic designation on the eight-story apartment building owned by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis amid concerns the structure might be torn down in coming weeks.
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Kite’s $40M apartment project at Glendale gets city approval
The city’s Metropolitan Development Commission on Wednesday gave Kite Realty Group the necessary approvals it needs to proceed with its plan build a 267-unit apartment complex adjacent to Glendale Town Center.
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Merritt proposes express-lane tolls on commuter-heavy roads like Binford
Republican mayoral candidate Jim Merritt on Wednesday proposed a variety of possible solutions for the city’s infrastructure funding issues, including using local tax revenue “to secure a public-private solution.”
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Should this building be saved?
Historic preservationists and midtown neighborhood leaders don’t want to lose the Drake apartment building that its owner, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, plans to raze.
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Articles
Hogsett wants city street crews to operate more like police force—on beats
An $8 million DPW budget increase proposed Thursday would add street operators and a second shift of operations. Also on Thursday, the public works committee unanimously approved a proposal to appropriate $40 million in revenue bonds to fund road and bridge infrastructure.
City to repurpose some public golf courses
Indy Parks is grappling with the future of its 13 courses based on declining revenue and interest, and millions of dollars in eventual facility upgrades.
Fees from scooters to pay for city bicycle infrastructure improvements
Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Department of Public Works on Thursday announced a plan to spend about $450,000 that has been collected by scooter companies since last year on so-called “neighborways” in Indianapolis.
City to tie incentives to $18-an-hour pay
Starting Jan. 1, Develop Indy will change the way it awards millions of dollars in tax abatements and training grants annually. Only businesses that pay workers at least $18 an hour, give them access to health care benefits and support other community programs will be eligible.
Council committee stalemate could stall plans for $66M apartment development
The Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee of the City-County Council could not reach a consensus Monday on a recommendation for a long-delayed 11-story downtown project at 421 N. Pennsylvania St.
City, Kite agree to build only one hotel at a time at Pan Am Plaza
Ongoing disagreement between the city of Indianapolis and a group of downtown hotel owners has prompted city leaders to officially postpone construction of one of the two convention hotels planned for Pan Am Plaza.
Council approves creation of new south-side TIF distrct
The city plans to spend $3 million on infrastructure, lighting and beautification projects in the area, using funds generated within the TIF district.
Council easily passes mayor’s $580K strategy to fight food insecurity
The Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday voted 20-4 to approve Mayor Joe Hogsett’s plan to “test strategies” to combat food insecurity in Indianapolis.
Hogsett to launch mayoral race ad campaign with ode to Hudnut
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett—vying for re-election this fall against GOP challenger Jim Merritt—plans to launch his television advertising campaign this week with a commercial that sings the praises of a former Republican mayor.
Merritt calls Hogsett’s food insecurity plan ‘complete waste of money’
Republican mayoral candidate state Sen. Jim Merritt on Thursday criticized Mayor Joe Hogsett’s plan to spend about $580,000 on programs to combat food insecurity in Indianapolis and said it “will likely make the problem worse.”
IBJ, Indy Chamber team up to host mayoral debate
The debate is scheduled to take place during the chamber’s annual HobNob event, in August at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown.
Noblesville mayor-elect Jensen views projected population surge as opportunity
But first—Chris Jensen said—the city needs to take steps that will help guide and keep a handle on the coming influx of residents and businesses.
Indy Eleven can’t move forward on stadium until team secures site, financing
Owner Ersal Ozdemir still has many hurdles to leap to make his soccer stadium a reality, even though he scored a huge Statehouse victory in April by winning approval of a funding mechanism.
Indianapolis mayoral candidates compete over food-insecurity plans
Jim Merritt on Thursday proposed his own initiatives to tackle the issue of food insecurity in Indianapolis, and he criticized those recently made by Mayor Joe Hogsett as “Band-Aid” solutions.
Merritt accuses Hogsett of ‘fraud’ on effort to rehab or demolish 2,000 homes
State Sen. Jim Merritt, a Republican running against Mayor Joe Hogsett in this year’s mayoral election, accused Hogsett of “purposely inflating” the number of blighted properties his administration had “improved” in Indianapolis.
City expands pilot program in reaction to Walmart closure
City of Indianapolis officials on Wednesday decided to add more stores to a yet-to-be-launched food-insecurity program after learning that a Walmart Neighborhood Market on the far-east side was preparing to close.
Creation of TIF district in Old Southside approved by council panel
City officials said the area is primed for redevelopment, especially after being designated a Lift Indy neighborhood, which means the city will direct about $4 million in investments to the area over three years.
Council panel OKs spending $8M on road projects, cleanup of city park
The Indianapolis City-County Council’s public works committee on Thursday unanimously approved a plan to spend about $8 million in returned local option income tax dollars.
Merritt won’t walk in Indy Pride Parade, pledges LGBTQ protections if elected
Indianapolis Republican Mayoral candidate Jim Merritt on Thursday said he regretted his Senate vote for the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2015 and pledged to support the LGBTQ community if elected mayor.