Bill adds oversight to redevelopment commissions
The Indiana House approved a Senate bill that adds transparency to redevelopment commissions and forces decades-old tax-increment financing districts to expire.
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Committee urges hiring commitment for $81M MSA tower project
A City-County Council committee recommended approval for the 28-story building but only if the developer pledges that 30 percent of the workers it hires to build the tower live in Marion County.
Ballard outlines list of initiatives in annual ‘state of’ address
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, in his annual State of the City address Thursday night, went through a checklist of potential projects while exhorting citizens to become ambassadors for the city.
IndyGo unveils design of $20M downtown transit center
Construction of the hub, which Mayor Greg Ballard noted Thursday in his annual State of the City address, is set to begin this fall with completion expected by the end of 2015.
City-County Council approves ‘ban the box’ proposal
The Indianapolis City-County Council passed a "ban the box" ordinance by a wide margin Monday night. The ordinance says the city and its contractors may not use prior criminal convictions as a screening tool in hiring.
Potholes devouring municipal budgets locally, across U.S.
About three-fourths of U.S. states and many cities, including Indianapolis, have outspent their maintenance budgets dealing with the extreme weather.
Delph gains names recognition in fight with own party
When conservative state Sen. Mike Delph took to Twitter about gay marriage and ultimately lost his formal vestiges of power within the Senate Republican caucus, he gained something far more valuable in the world of politics.
Indy officials work to strengthen rental-property inspection bill
A proposal under consideration by the Legislature would curb rental-property inspection programs, but local officials worked with its author to let cities set up landlord registries.
Zionsville sticks with big-box ban despite growth push
Even as retail development continues to proliferate just outside Zionsville’s borders, town officials say they remain committed to an 8-year-old zoning ordinance banning big-box stores.
Prominent criminal lawyer: Airport site for complex ‘cannot work’
A spokesman for Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said the airport site hasn’t officially been selected, although it did score highest among sites the city evaluated.
Proposed criminal justice complex draws five bidders
In the meantime, city officials are arranging to meet with lawyers, judges and residents who are concerned about moving jails and courts from downtown’s core.
Companies rethink hiring policies for former criminals
State and local lawmakers around the country, including some in Indianapolis, are supporting efforts to increase the hiring of ex-offenders.
City committee again delays vote on MSA tower’s financing
Members of the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee said they needed more information on Flaherty & Collins’ proposed $81 million high-rise project on the former Market Square Arena site.
Airport site identified as ‘preferred’ for criminal-justice complex
An airport location and the former GM metal-stamping property near downtown are the top two sites listed for a Marion County jails-courts complex in a market survey of 14 potential sites conducted for the city by real estate services firm CBRE.
Indy political, business leader Beurt SerVaas dies at 94
SerVaas was elected to the City-County Council in 1962 and served for more than 40 years, including 27 as council president. He was one of the architects of Unigov, the consolidated city-county government plan credited with revitalizing Indianapolis.
Sheriff’s challengers prepare for high-profile political fight
Marion County Sheriff John Layton faces heavy criticism from two challengers, Republican Emmitt Carney and Democrat Mark Brown.
Mass-transit bill clears Senate committee, with changes
A mass-transit bill for metro Indianapolis cleared a key Senate committee Tuesday morning, but left open many questions about how such a system would be funded. An amendment to the bill nixed the use of light rail.
Cold prompts shutdown of local government Tuesday
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said City-County government will be closed Tuesday due to the forecast of “dangerously cold temperatures.” He also imposed a two-hour delay for local government on Wednesday.
Ballard, Curry split on gun-violence bill
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry opposes a measure that would create a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence for crimes committed with a firearm. Mayor Greg Ballard and his public safety director support it.
Indiana business tax changes still worry some mayors
Some local-government officials around the state remain concerned about changes Indiana lawmakers are considering to the state's property tax on business equipment.