Johnson County beefs up rules on cell towers
Concerns about growing cell phone use are prompting the Johnson County Board of Commissioners to crack down on cell phone towers to protect the landscape, residents and property values.
Local Government
Articles
Commission: Turn dying GM plant into vibrant neighborhood
A 10-member commission told city leaders to turn the defunct 115-acre General Motors metal stamping plant site into a hip, funky neighborhood with an eye-catching bridge across the White River for easy access to downtown.
State elections chief tells commission he didn’t lie
Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White painted a picture of himself as a man with a complicated personal life that led him to use dual addresses but he denied ever providing false information as he defended himself Tuesday against voter fraud allegations.
UIndy launches $7.5M campaign for civic leadership institute
The Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives will house a collection of official documents, correspondence, speeches, photos, audiotapes and other artifacts from the administrations of four Indianapolis mayors: Dick Lugar, Bill Hudnut, Steve Goldsmith and Bart Peterson.
Bids opened for Keystone Towers demolition
Quotes came in way below city’s $2 million budget.
Showdown looming over Marion County income tax
More agencies will be vying for a piece of the city’s income-tax revenue as next year’s budget process begins. But with that money flat-lined next year, city leaders say there may not be enough to share.
Challenger in Indianapolis mayoral race releases sustainability plan
Among Melina Kennedy’s priorities is educating residents and businesses about recycling and making it more convenient.
Ballard to ask for control of IPS schools facing state takeover
But Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard also reiterated his opposition to mayoral control over all of IPS, which some local leaders have pushed for recently. He called that idea “premature.”
Crime-prevention grants awarded to 26 organizations
Indianapolis’ Community Crime Prevention Board awarded a total of $1.7 million in grants, down from $4 million last year, due to the city budget crunch.
Chambers of commerce take bigger role in politics
After years of advocating pro-business positions, many chambers are taking the next step and issuing endorsements in hopes of ensuring business-friendly mayors get elected.
Straub: Funding cut poses no threat to Super Bowl security
The Indianapolis metropolitan area is among 33 nationwide that have been eliminated from a federal Homeland Security grant program for 2011.
City proceeding with public safety complex at Eastgate
City-County Council grants approval for the city to enter into a 25-year lease with the owner of the former Eastgate mall to take 76,000 square feet for a Regional Operations Center.
City proposes stricter towing rules
A proposed ordinance would crack down on “predatory” towing practices by requiring tow-truck operators to adhere to several rules meant to protect consumers.
Indianapolis council OKs razing of Keystone Towers
The City-County Council in Indianapolis has voted to spend $4 million to demolish the abandoned 15-story Keystone Towers and the long-vacant former Winona Hospital.
Documentary touts sustainable building practices in Indy
The hour-long film, dubbed “Green Building in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future,” was released on You Tube last month.
Cross-country track planned near proposed tennis center site
Property along the White River is set to be rezoned to provide for a cross-country track, while a not-for-profit is eying a parcel farther north as one of three potential sites for a tennis center.
CIB reports quarterly revenue increase
The Capital Improvement Board saw revenue of $22.5 million in the first three months of the year, a jump of 28 percent compared with the same three months in 2010. More taxes generated by hotel stays and restaurant visits helped drive the increase.
City seeks bids for $300M sewage tunnel system
City officials are seeking bidders for the first phase of Indianapolis’ largest-ever public works project, an underground tunnel system equipped to store millions of gallons of raw sewage and prevent the excrement from flowing into local waterways.
Indianapolis is recognized for ‘financial fitness’
City gets high marks for efforts to encourage financial literacy among residents.
Greenwood mayor rare incumbent to lose in area primaries
Four-term incumbent Charles Henderson was defeated, in part because of his plan to revitalize the city’s downtown by destroying several historic buildings. Most other incumbent mayors in the Indianapolis metropolitan area were winners.