City hush-hush about Amazon HQ2 bid
Central Indiana is facing crunch time in its push to bid for the Amazon HQ2 project, with pitches to the Seattle-based company due Oct. 19, less than two weeks away.
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Lawrence utility bond rating increases after years of struggle
Ratings agency Standard and Poor’s recently upgraded the rating on the city of Lawrence’s waterworks utility revenue and refunding debt—a move officials say could eventually save taxpayers money.
City launches ‘Street Reach’ effort to help homeless, curb panhandling
Central to the campaign is a new full-time manager who will focus on business engagement and connecting homeless individuals to housing and addiction treatment options.
Council approves new left-turn restrictions in advance of Red Line
The Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday night approved a plan to limit left turns at dozens of intersections on Meridian Street and College Avenue in preparation for the impending Red Line bus rapid-transit project.
Indy agrees to deal with Carmel to approve 96th Street roundabouts
The Carmel City Council still has to approve the agreement, which would allow the suburb to continue its plan to construct roundabouts along 96th Street at three intersections.
Motorsports firm to close Brownsburg manufacturing site
The California-based company will cease production at the facility by the end of the year, laying off about 70 employees. Its performance racing division will remain in Brownsburg, however.
Downtown’s Pan Am Plaza building hits market
At 138,800 square feet, it’s downtown’s 19th-largest office complex. But the building played a major role in the city’s efforts in becoming a sports town worthy of hosting a Super Bowl.
Republican proposes switch to voting centers in Marion County as lawsuit heats up
The proposal comes ahead of a settlement conference next week in a lawsuit filed by Common Cause and the local NAACP branch claiming discrimination due to the city’s relative lack of early-voting locations.
Hiring of police officer in Southport raises nepotism concerns
An Indianapolis-area police department's decision to hire the police chief's son has raised concerns about nepotism.
Indianapolis, Fishers mayors spearhead effort to attract Amazon HQ2
Amazon’s announcement last week that its future second headquarters will create 50,000 new jobs with an average annual compensation of $100,000 have cities across the country clamoring to submit bids. But there’s a short timetable, with proposals due Oct. 19.
Council to vote on spending $14M for roads, bridges, streetlights
The spending is possible due to the state’s decision to raise the gas tax this year and its decision last year to return county option income tax revenue to cities.
Government center could close during asbestos removal
Members of the Madison County Council have asked the county administrator about the cost of shutting down the center in Anderson during the seven-month process.
Carmel City Council approves more funding for holiday market
The council transferred half the money from its own budget instead of from the police department’s budget, as had been originally proposed.
Indianapolis, Carmel reach deal in 96th Street roundabout dispute
The deal has to be approved by both the Indianapolis City-County Council and the Carmel City Council before Carmel begins construction on the contested intersections.
Hogsett’s ‘structurally balanced budget’ sparks debate
Mayor Joe Hogsett’s budget team has been touting the proposed 2018 city budget as the “first balanced budget with sustainable funding sources since 2008.”
Lawrence cleans up financial turmoil, seeks boost in utility’s junk bond rating
Lawrence officials say they are recovering from financial mismanagement and budget challenges of the past several years—and gearing up to invest in the future.
Mile Square residents to vote on funding spiffier upkeep, improved services
The owners of about 1,200 downtown properties soon can expect to receive petitions asking for them to financially support improvements for the city's core, potentially raising $3 million per year.
Indianapolis, IPL ink $12M contract to update 27,000 streetlights
The city said it will use the savings from the more energy-efficient lights to add another 4,000 streetlamps.
EDITORIAL: Approve mayor’s balanced budget
Mayor Joe Hogsett has proposed a city budget for 2018 that includes a tiny, projected surplus. It’s another step on a road to the fiscal stability Indianapolis needs to continue growing and thriving.
City to steer $500K into grocery development in low-income areas
The Hogsett administration plans to use federal grant funding to stimulate the development of one or more grocery stores and help eliminate food deserts.