Pandemic thrusts downtown’s homelessness problem to fore
For weeks, camps of people experiencing homelessness and those suffering from substance use disorders have settled in on Monument Circle and near City Market.
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City sets first public meeting on reforming public safety
The first public meeting will include a first look at initial survey results as well as data that has been gathered by the Criminal Justice Lab.
Kite Realty Group bets big on hotel, even as other projects wither
A third of planned downtown hotel rooms announced before the pandemic are now on hold.
City, Kite reach deal for $550M Pan Am Plaza project—with up to 2-year delay
The city will not subsidize construction of Kite’s two hotels on the site but will ask the City-County Council to authorize a $150 million bond to finance an addition to the Indiana Convention Center.
Hogsett says city resilient, downtown to rise again
The mayor, who is in the first year of his second term, acknowledged the challenges—and even some naivete when it came to the riots. But Hogsett, a Democrat, said he’s confident in the ability of residents, the business community and leaders to address them.
IBJ Podcast: Indy’s top doc on the COVID response, masks, contact tracing, second wave
Dr. Virginia Caine, one of the key interpreters of data and shapers of policy in Marion County, discusses the frustrations and challenges of combatting a pandemic and shares her blunt message for those who won’t follow the recommendations.
Justice center project hitting minority-contracting targets, but are they too low?
Roughly $162 million has been committed so far to minority-owned businesses helping to build the city’s $575 million criminal justice center complex in the Twin Aire neighborhood.
IndyGo bypasses former Harrison College site in search for more space
The transit agency is now considering a site on Post Road that is much larger than the former Harrison College site downtown and potentially much less expensive.
IMPD signs $9.2M contract to equip officers with body cameras
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday said the contract with Decatur, Georgia-based Utility Inc. will equip 1,100 officers with BodyWorn camera technology for more than five years.
Marion County rental assistance program available to residents Monday
Residents whose income has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to receive up to three months of assistance, which will be paid directly to their landlord.
Mask mandate in Marion County takes effect Thursday
Residents who refuse to comply may be subject to a fine up to $1,000, but police won’t be enforcing the mandate. And health officials in charge of enforcement will take an education-first approach.
City to survey residents about public safety strategies
Mayor Joe Hogsett said the public survey will be the first step in the city’s partnership with the Criminal Justice Lab at New York University School of Law to “re-imagine public safety in Indianapolis.”
IBJ Podcast: Indy Black Chamber of Commerce wants city support
Host Mason King talks with the Black Chamber’s Larry Williams about why he thinks the city should be working more with his organization—and providing it funding. And King also talks with Angela Smith Jones, the deputy mayor of economic development, about the reasons the city is working with Indy Chamber.
Black chamber leader calls for more city support
During the coronavirus pandemic—which research shows has disproportionately affected black-owned businesses—the 250-member organization has received no city funding to give loans or grants to its members who were struggling.
City partnership aims to reimagine public safety in Indianapolis with community’s help
The goal of the partnership with the Criminal Justice Lab at the New York University School of Law is to create a new community-driven and community-monitored vision of criminal justice in Indianapolis.
City extends Dine Out Indy program to bars
The program was established last month to help restaurants and other businesses expand or add outdoor seating options as the city reopened following COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
IndyGo running out of office space, but board members don’t agree on fix
IndyGo is investigating whether to purchase the former Harrison College site for millions of dollars to use as additional space—but some board members are not convinced doing so is a good idea.
Q&A: Terry Gallagher, Marion County mosquito control supervisor
For more than three decades, Gallagher, 61, has supervised mosquito control programs for Marion County, overseeing a small army of technicians who spray ditches and collect mosquitoes from traps around the county to track the variety and size of the mosquito population.
ACLU calls on Hogsett to reduce funding for police in Indianapolis
Taking a cue from the “Defund the Police” movement, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is calling on Mayor Joe Hogsett to “reimagine” the role of police in Indianapolis and shift funding away from law enforcement into community-based initiatives.
Hogsett plans to spend $76M to help residents, businesses, government agencies affected by virus
The Indianapolis City-County Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday night to consider the proposal.