Weekend mayors’ conference a ‘coup’ for Indianapolis, leaders say
Indianapolis will host the U.S. Conference of Mayors this weekend for the first time in the group’s 84-year history.
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Plan for downtown concert venue on old GM plant site called off
REI Investments, the Carmel-based developer who had been under contract to redevelop about half of the site into a $30 million concert venue, has mutually agreed with owner RACER Trust to terminate the plan.
City liable for sign firm’s damages, judge rules
Local billboard company GEFT Outdoor LLC expects to seek millions of dollars from the city of Indianapolis after a federal judge’s ruling that the city’s former sign ordinance was unconstitutional.
UPDATE: Indianapolis to turn on first new streetlight in 35 years
The city plans to end a moratorium on new streetlights by installing 100 lights in areas with high accident and crime rates, and in growing neighborhoods, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday.
County gets $59M as part of local road-funding package
The distribution is part of $505 million that county auditors have distributed to local government units statewide, $435 million of which can be used for transportation funding.
Marion County GOP chair resigns amid new ethics rules
Jennifer Ping, a principal at Bose Public Affairs Group, stepped down because the new rules prohibit certain political leaders from doing business with the city.
Hogsett touts task force to plan new jail, criminal justice reforms
In his first State of the City address, Mayor Joe Hogsett said Wednesday that crime problems wouldn’t be solved simply with a new building. A new task force also would focus on issues like mental illness and addiction.
City-County Council approves ‘percent for art’ program
A similar measure was vetoed by former Mayor Greg Ballard last year, but this one is likely to stick.
Council OKs putting mass-transit tax hike on November ballot
The question will be whether Marion County voters are willing to approve a 0.25 percent income-tax hike to pay for expanded mass transit.
City is far short of $750M necessary for all sidewalk needs
Repairing the city’s aging sidewalks and installing new ones where none exist would run even more than the $720 million it cost to build Lucas Oil Stadium.
Council committee advances mass transit funding plan
A proposal that would let Marion County residents vote for an income-tax increase to help fund expanded mass transit passed a City County Council committee Tuesday night.
Safety, revenue motivate desires for more streetlights
Joe Hogsett said more streetlights, for safer streets, would be one of his first priorities as mayor. Nearly four months after taking office, the administration is still in discussions with Indianapolis Power & Light Co.
Do city’s new ethics rules go far enough?
Good-government advocates say new rules championed by Mayor Joe Hogsett are an improvement, but that they would have liked to see him take a stricter approach.
City Center to see blitz of projects this summer
After years with little construction activity at City Center in Carmel, four projects are expected to break ground this year that will bring more parking, housing and retail to the city’s core.
City to dub downtown transit center after Carson
Former U.S. Rep. Julia Carson was instrumental in securing funding for an Indianapolis public transportation hub.
City-County Council approves Hogsett’s ethics proposal
The rules are intended to strengthen gift-reporting requirements, impose stronger penalties for violations and create a website so the public has better access to ethics disclosures.
Indiana Supreme Court upholds Indy smoking ordinance
The unanimous decision says the city can allow smoking at gambling facilities while banning it at bars.
UPDATE: City claws back $1.2M from Carrier to assist workers
The money recovered from Carrier Corp. and its parent firm equals the amount the city provided in tax incentives in 2011. The company also has returned $380,000 to the state.
Beth White to lead GIPC
Jeff Gaither, a board member of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, said White’s breadth and depth of experience in government and the community make her uniquely qualified for the job.
Major overhaul to city’s zoning code takes effect
Indy Rezone replaces a 1969 version and provides a host of updates addressing more modern urban development.