Sitemeter Fun, Volume V

Torporindy is the number google search result for "Buy Marijuana Indianapolis".

Public Dollars, Private Profits

The city announced this past week that it is again opening up bidding on the old Market Square Arena site. The bidding is for right to redevelop the site where a gravel parking lot now sits. The old site of MSA has sat vacant since the demolition of the Pacers old home in 2001.

I walk by the now parking lot everyday as I go to work. It is hard not to wonder that with all the talk about how great our downtown is how many other cities would have had such a large parcel of land sit vacant for this long. I can't imagine such a large amount of land sitting un-developed in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, or a litany of other cities for five years.

The first proposed idea, One Market Square, had a wonderful design and would have added greatly to our skyline. However its financing structure did not mesh well with the market here. Buyers here (or the story goes) aren't used to paying for a structure not yet built. After several attempts to get the project off the ground, the city pulled the plug on its relationship with the proposed builder.

One Market Square was to be 31 stories tall. Now the city proposes a mixed use for the property combining residential, commercial, and retail. The city has said that the centerpiece of the property will be a tower of at least 14 stories. Fourteen stories? That doesn't really inspire the masses, at least not me.

A building of that size is more akin to suburban development. But if anything that the latest development downtown has shown--the Anthem building, Simon's corporate headquarters, and the new flagship convention hotel-- is that Indy doesn't have a problem blessing the bland and the generic. And worse yet, all have been built with a large subsidy from the city. Simon's new building also took away a downtown city park for its completion.

I really shook my head after hearing about the large subsidy Simon received for building its new building. We are not talking about a tax abatement but an actual cash payment to facilitate its construction. Does the largest mall owner in America really need a public handout?

You better believe that whatever does get built at the old MSA will be publicly subsidized as well. If that is the case why doesn't the city build something on the site that the general public would get to enjoy? I am not going to buy a 200 or 300 thousand dollar condo at the site, but I would enjoy a park partially built on the land. I would definitely enjoy a museum built on the site. I always thought the best use of the land would be to build a building for the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art as the centerpiece with residential and retail on either side. This would definitely give the City Market a need boost in foot traffic. Plus all the folks whose tax dollars helped develop the site could at least get some enjoyment from their investment. And it would give our visitors to the city a reason to venture to the East side of downtown--even if they are not in the market for a bail bond.

But hey why do that when they can see the 14 story masterpiece as they pass by on I-70?

Does any one really want to be the GOP Mayoral candidate?

The struggle for a GOP mayoral candidate has been well-documented. Tomorrow is the deadline to file for candidacy and the likely candidate has already opened his mouth to offend the Jewish community.

He stated: "I'm sure you realize -- well, most people don't -- millionaire Democrats outnumber millionaire Republicans four to one," Parker said. "It's mainly because of the Jewish faction inside the Democratic Party.

"Most Jewish people are Democrats and they bring that wealth. My opinion is, if Israel would go into Iran, Democrats will follow that cause."

My guess is that the GOP party leaders are going to be up all night trying to find a warm body to run against Peterson.

Gateway to the City

Circle Arch slide



The above design was chosen over four others to represent a gateway to our city. The design will stand 280 foot tall and will be illuminated in lights. The final design isn't set in stone, but let's hope they don't follow the advice of one panelist who trusses resemble the double helix of a strand of DNA to highlight Indianapois's strength in the life sciences. That's so 1950s.

It is interesting that the Indianapolis Star has not covered this significant story. I first heard yesterday when a friend of mine emailed me this IBJ article dated December 30th. The only mention that I saw in the Star was by a Fresh Thoughts Blogger who hates the the selection.

Jason at Foursquare 266 and Christopher at On the Cusp have posts about the design.

No stamp for you

The new Marion County Clerk took office today. Apparently, someone forgot to order file stamps for the new Clerk elect, Beth White. As every lawyer knows, if one needs to file a document in court, it must have the file stamp signature from the clerk.

I do not know whose responsibility this is--if it is the outgoing Republican's duty or the Democratic clerk elect. The new clerk is apparently calling around town trying to find the vendor who can fill the order the quickest.

As of now, some of today's filings still have Doris Ann-Sadler's signature, who is no longer the Clerk.

The Killing Zone

Today's Indianapolis Star has an interactive map of all 153 homicides in Indianapolis-Marion County in 2006. It's no surprise the three most concentrated areas are the near Eastside and Haughville. Special recognition goes to 42nd Street and Post Road. Take note those of you who don't believe crime exists outside 465.

Indianapolis drops the ball

The City of Indianapolis chose the the 25-story Marriott design to be the new flagship hotel of the convention center. This selection comes after much buildup and hype over how the skyline of Indianapolis going to change. I suppose this is still true, but the design (pictured below) is truly uninspired. It looks like a tall warehouse building that belongs among the non-descript office buildings of Carmel.



The losing bid was the sleek design of the Intercontinental Hotel chain whose 44 story plan would have made it one of the tallest buildings in the city.





I suppose there is still hope as this is the recommendation of a committee. The talkback forum at the Indianapolis Star is almost unanimous in agreement against this selection.

People have started a campaign to write to the Mayor to ask him to reconsider. You may do so at this address.

Lafayette Square Mall

So I am back. Well, at least for a couple of days. I leave for Mexico City on Monday and then onto a decent sized city named Pachuca. After a couple of weeks in Pachuca, we'll end up in a very small town in the mountains. This stop is the reason why I bothered to get vaccinations. It's one of the poorest regions in Mexico Some of the items that I bought in preparation for my stop in this town are toilet paper (apparently, they don't have any); flea collars (to wear around my ankles); deet (for the other creepy crawlies); goretex raingear (it's the rainy season); and clothes for the kids who will be my classmates. This leads me to lafayette square mall. I went there to go to Steve and Barry's. I was able to buy a lot of IU t-shirts to give away to the schoolchildren I'll be studying with. It will be humbling to have an 8 year old correct my Spanish, but I am sure I will get used to it. So I was at Lafayette Square and I saw this kiosk. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the sign which announced you could put a grill on layaway. I did take this picture though. Hurry to Lafayette Square before the sale is over.

Fixing up the City

After the success of last year's outdoor exhibition of Tom Otterness' sculptures, the Arts Council of Indianapolis has a new exhibition featuring English artist Julian Opie's work.



I look forward to seeing all of his displays, except for maybe the 16 foot electronic likeness of Bryan Adams at White River State Park. The Indianapolis Star has an article on the exhibition.

Also, Jason has a fine post about a contest to create a downtown landmark for Indianapolis.