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ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: Indiana’s economy: The fundamentals are in place

Predicting the size and scope of economic activity for the nation, state and region is one of the more important roles played by university economists. But 2008 is the kind of year that really tests economic forecasting. The Bureau of Business Research just released its forecasts for Indiana and two regional labor markets. In total, we examined eight different data series and have stressed the performance of net employment and wages. Our forecast is fairly optimistic. We predict job growth…

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BARcelona could close

A manager at the downtown tapas restaurant tells Property Lines the operation is in trouble and could soon close. Owner Frank Schmitz, of St. Louis, recently bought out his partner in the…

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Finale underway for Piano Merchant

The Piano Merchant is closing after almost 22 years in business at the corner of 54th Street and College Avenue. One of the three partners is ill and another…

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INVESTING: Holding tight right now might wallop portfolio

While the seasons are a lot more predictable than the stock market, the market does go through climatic changes that investors should adjust to. In late September, after the market had been rallying for about six weeks off the August low, I mentioned it would be a good idea to reduce equity to around 40 -cent to 50 percent. In the middle of November, I wrote that it might be smart to reduce that level even more. If you’re still…

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Bar & Grill replacing trophy shop

Brothers Bar & Grill, a small Wisconsin-based chain, has filed plans to replace Broad Ripple Trophy Center at one of the neighborhood’s most prominent corners, said Senior Planner Bryan…

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Sexy & Intimate and Scotty’s

A couple of restaurant updates: The owners of downtown’s Scholar’s Inn, Lyle & Kerry Feigenbaum, plan to close the restaurant on Jan. 1 for a month-long remodeling project. They plan to…

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New JW design unveiled

Plans for a 1,000-room JW Marriott convention hotel now envision a taller building, with a whole new look and a larger pricetag. The hotel would be 34 stories, up from 29, and the project would cost $425 million, up from…

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City may lift Pan Am covenant

Indiana Sports Corp. has asked the city to reduce the portion of Pan Am Plaza included in a covenant that restricts development. If approved, the updated covenant would cover only 10,000 square feet,…

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Premier plows forward on Venu

A new site plan for the $750-million Venu project shows four anchor tenants: Whole Foods; Barnes & Noble; Arhaus, an upscale furniture retailer; and REI, an outdoor-gear superstore that would be new to…

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BEHIND THE NEWS: Simon’s Arizona flop highlights perils of housing sector

No wonder investors are jittery. The housing slump is stinging companies of all stripes these days, even those that would seem to be safe havens. A case in point: mall developer Simon Property Group Inc., which surprised investors this month by announcing it was taking a $26 million charge to write off its entire investment in what was to become a huge Arizona housing development. “Frankly, we had forgotten they had this Arizona thing,” said Lou Taylor, an analyst with…

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Malls are ‘soft targets’ for terrorism, experts say: Risks aren’t scaring away holiday shoppers

The deadly shooting spree at a Nebraska mall this month highlighted a challenge confronting Simon Property Group Inc. and other shopping center operators: how to protect their properties from violent acts, or even terrorism, while also leaving them welcoming to shoppers. Most retail real estate owners have ramped up security since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, though experts say shopping centers, like schools, remain “soft targets” for terrorism. “Shopping center owners have been very concerned about security for their patrons for…

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Should city embrace hotel union?

Just when you thought plans for a new downtown convention hotel were set to go forward, four City-County
Council members want the full council to essentially force the new hotel to employ union workers after it
opens.

The City-County Council, which…

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A greasy-spoon grudge match

Long a staple in the South, Huddle House diners are beginning to pop up in Indiana. Can they outmatch Bud’s Chili and Alice’s Iced Tea over at Waffle House? The first Indianapolis-area…

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Future murky for Lafayette Square

If Simon couldn’t revive Lafayette Square Mall, what can be expected from an out-of-town company without the same mall experience? Simon Property Group is selling the 1.2 million-square-foot Lafayette Square Mall to…

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Ballard office gets free parking

The cost of parking is one of the top reasons office space has been a tough sell downtown when compared to the suburbs. But it’s not a problem if you’re the mayor-elect….

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Farewell, Eastgate parking lots

Here’s the Lifeline Data Centers site plan for its reuse of the old Eastgate Consumer Mall. What do you think of the lake and walking trails?

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Fundex mixes tradition with high-tech in game biz

Fundex’s Oct. 10 acquisition of the Great American Puzzle Factory keeps the Indianapolis-based game and toy company firmly
planted in the tried and true, even as it experiments with the burgeoning mobile-game market.

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PROFILE MICKI STIRSMAN: Education at heart of growth Continued training is part of her biz plan

PROFILE MICKI STIRSMAN Education at heart of growth Continued training is part of her biz plan Your face might be Micki Stirsman’s canvas. Instead of applying paint to paper or molding clay into sculpture Stirsman and her staff use their artistry to transform their clients’ appearances. The Speedway native is owner of Salon 01, a business she started with a $10,000 contribution from her grandmother that has grown into a million d o l l a r- p l u…

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