City seeks replacement for GM plant
Indianapolis will spend $115,000 on a study to explore redevelopment opportunities for the 102-acre GM Stamping Plant property west of downtown that will close this summer.
Greg Ballard
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Ballard: City must build ‘attractive urban environment’
The theme of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s fourth-annual State of the City address will include putting “the needs of the next decade ahead of the next day, next year or next election,” according to excerpts released Wednesday.
Universal curbside recycling program looks iffy
Finding a way to cover the cost of expanding the program with revenue from sales of recycled goods such as aluminum, plastic and glass has proved tough, even as commodities prices rise with the improving economy.
Ballard to raise millions through utility, meter deals
In the spring, Mayor Greg Ballard introduced a plan to sell the city’s water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy Group, the public charitable trust that owns Citizens Gas. About six months later, he rolled out a deal to lease the city’s parking meters to a private operator.
Touted Build America Bonds may not be available for utility deal
Citizens Energy previously said not using the bonds would add about $100 million to the cost of the deal over 30 years.
Mayor’s communications strategist leaving city post
Robert Vane, Ballard’s deputy chief of staff and communications director, plans to start his own firm specializing in crisis and strategic communications. His last day with the city is Nov. 5.
Indianapolis-area experts see bright spots amid ongoing real estate weakness
Health care shows signs of life, and multi-family buildings continue to hold their own, experts said during a recent IBJ Power Breakfast.
Indianapolis wins state “Green Community of the Year” award
Mayor Greg Ballard has unveiled a number of green initiatives, ranging from widespread use of hybrid vehicles to making the City-County Building more energy-efficient.
Dolce hotel, YMCA part of city-funded ‘North of South’ development
The city plans to issue bonds and use tax-increment financing to fund the $150M project, which also will include 320 high-end apartments and 40,000 square feet of retail space. Construction should begin this year.
City parking agreement to receive first scrutiny
Indianapolis’ Department of Public Works Board and its City-County Council Rules and Public Policy Committee both will meet
on Monday to consider the long-term deal. It would need approval from the City-County Council before taking effect.
City vendor may get $1.2B from parking-privatization deal
The pitch from Mayor Greg Ballard’s administration to privatize the city’s parking meters is compelling, but the proposal
to sell the meters to Dallas-based Affiliated Computer Services Inc. has the city giving up more in the long run than is immediately
apparent.
Arts funding maintained in proposed city budget
Funding for city arts programs is expected to remain at $1 million in 2011, even as the mayor’s budget plan calls for cutting
$22
million in local spending. Funding for the parks department also should remain flat, at $21.1 million.
Ballard takes aim at vacant homes
If Mayor Greg Ballard successfully closes the $1.9 billion sale of the city’s water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy,
some of the proceeds will be used to bulldoze or rehabilitate 2,000 to 4,500 abandoned, unsafe homes during the next two years.
Indianapolis launches three Web business tools
The sites offer insight into government contracts and other business activities of local government.
UPDATE: CIB wringing money from general operating fund to pay Pacers
A combination of taxes targeting downtown visitors and users of the city’s professional sports complexes are expected to generate
the bulk of the subsidy.
City makes $33.5M deal to keep Indiana Pacers
The city will contribute $10 million annually for three years toward Conseco Fieldhouse operating expenses. It also will provide
at least $3.5 million for capital improvements.
City eyes Central State site for sports complex
Indianapolis officials are exploring turning the former Central State Hospital into a 150-acre sports complex that could include
facilities for everything from soccer and baseball to tennis and ice skating.
Plan to run fiber optic lines along greenways has legal hurdles
The city of Indianapolis wants to generate revenue by using greenways as fiber optic corridors. But previous legal battles
over leasing rights-of-way to utilities could hang up the plan.
City takes risk with debt-laden IT-overhaul pick
To spearhead a once-in-a-generation overhaul of local government’s antiquated back-office computer system, Mayor Greg Ballard
has chosen an unprofitable software firm that as recently as March 31 warned investors that debt-refinancing issues could
force it out of business.
Democrat Williams drops out of race for mayor
Brian Williams said Tuesday that he is dropping his bid to challenge Mayor Greg Ballard in 2011, paving the way for front
runner
Melina Kennedy to represent the Democrats.