Nominations sought for Charles L. Whistler Award

Posted on by September 2, 2011
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INDIANAPOLIS – Nominations are currently being accepted for the Charles L. Whistler Award – the most prestigious award given annually to a community volunteer.

This year, the award will again recognize one or two individuals who have brought together the Indianapolis public and private sectors for civic improvement. A subcommittee of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) selects each recipient, and the Mayor of Indianapolis personally presents the award. The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 23, 2011.

A lawyer and community leader in the grand tradition, Whistler gave his time and extraordinary abilities to the Indianapolis community without asking for power or position in return. At the time of his death in 1981, he was a senior partner at Baker & Daniels and chairman of both the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee’s Urban Growth and Revitalization Task Force and the White River State Park Citizens’ Advisory Committee.

This is the 27th year for the award in Whistler’s honor. Mayor Greg Ballard and the board of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee invite community members to nominate a current leader who exemplifies this vital Indianapolis tradition.

Award nominations are open to anyone in the community, except currently appointed government employees and elected officials. Candidates should reflect the passion and the skill that Charles Whistler displayed for making the public-private partnership work for the overall betterment of the community. It’s also expected that many of each nominee’s efforts, like Whistler’s, have occurred in volunteer roles that far exceed what is simply expected of the individual through his or her employment.

The recipient(s) of the award – presented by the Mayor through the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee – will be recognized at a reception later this fall. Award recipients’ names will also be added to a limestone and granite monument located in the Charles L. Whistler Memorial Plaza at the City Market.

Nomination forms are available online at www.indygipc.org. Completed forms must be returned by Friday, September 23, to the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee by mail at 1901 City-County Building, 200 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204; by facsimile at (317) 327-8615; or by e-mail to nclayton@indy.gov.

For more information, call Matt Hendrix at the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee at (317) 327-3820 or (317) 607-3934.

Trash Collection Schedule Adjusted for Labor Day

Posted on by September 2, 2011
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Curbside recycling and trash collection will operate on a slide schedule during the holiday week

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) would like to remind residents that there will be NO curbside recycling, residential or heavy trash collection on Monday, September 5, in observance of Labor Day.

All residential trash, heavy trash and curbside recycling routes will run one day behind for the entire week. Monday routes will be serviced on Tuesday, September 6; Tuesday routes will be serviced on Wednesday, September 7; and so on. Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, September 10. All services will return to normal schedules on Monday, September 12.

For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4622 (MAC).

Mayor Ballard Launches Abandoned Structures Initiative to Remove Hundreds of Unsafe, Unsalvageable Houses, Buildings

Posted on by August 30, 2011
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INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Greg Ballard today launched the City’s Abandoned Structures Initiative, announcing seven abandoned houses will be removed over the next week as the Department of Public Works (DPW) begins the bidding process on 384 unsafe, unsalvageable structures that will start coming down as early as October. The program aims to have over 600 unsafe buildings under contract for removal by the end of 2011.

“Abandoned and unsafe structures are harmful for our residents, our businesses and our neighborhoods. They threaten our public safety, harm property values, and impact the quality of life in our community,” said Mayor Ballard. “We are aggressively engaging in an unprecedented program to remove hundreds of these buildings – and the blight and impediments to economic development they represent.”

Mayor Ballard was joined by community leaders for the announcement in front of an unsafe, abandoned house at 1142 Earhart St. on the City’s Near Southeast side. The vacant building is next door to Penick Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, which plans to purchase the lot once the structure is removed. Local contractor Denney Excavating began demolition on the house following the kickoff of the initiative.

About 1,200 affirmed properties throughout Marion County are on the list for removal, with the largest concentration in Center Township. The Abandoned Structures Initiative aims to remove 2,000 structures by the end of 2012. The City solicits public input throughout the process by conducting presentations and encouraging residents to report unsafe properties. The Indy Land Bank seeks to acquire the properties to make them available for redevelopment. The City of Indianapolis took down 675 abandoned and unsalvageable buildings in 2010 and 375 in 2009.

Funding for the initiative is funded through RebuildIndy, Mayor Ballard’s initiative to restore deteriorating thoroughfares, residential streets, sidewalks and bridges, as well as address neighborhood drainage and flooding issues and demolish unsalvageable abandoned houses posing a public safety threat. The initial $140 million RebuildIndy investment funded projects repairing long-neglected streets, sidewalks, bridges and parks throughout Indianapolis. DPW has about 350 major street, sidewalk, bridge and park projects completed, underway, or slated as part of RebuildIndy. For more information, visit www.indy.gov/rebuildindy.

Only a few outbuildings and a garage are being demolished in the Northwest Outer Region.

Pike Township Traffic Lane Restrictions

Posted on by August 30, 2011
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2404 W 62nd Street
ROW11-04917
There will be 1 traffic lane restricted August 24, 2011 through November 10, 2013 to excavate for storm water Project on W 62nd Street from N Michigan Road to Broadmoor Plaza. ​

6430 N Michigan Road
ROW11-04261
There will be 1 traffic lane restricted July 29, through August 31, 2011 to re-route gas main.​

RebuildIndy Construction Schedule For This Week

Posted on by August 22, 2011
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Below are anticipated construction activities for the week of 8/22/2011 (for Pike and parts of Washington & Wayne). For citywide listing go to http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPW/RebuildIndy/Pages/RebuildIndy-Project-Selection.aspx and click on Weekly Construction Updates.

**While this list encompasses numerous construction projects, it does not list all DPW projects throughout the county. The most recent work is highlighted. Also, weekend work is possible on all projects. We ask for motorists’ patience and caution while driving through construction sites. All work is weather dependent.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP (north side only)
38th Street from I-465 to I-65 remains under construction. Commercial Drive at 38th Street will be closed for reconstruction on or after August 26. Signs will be posted on Commercial Drive and on 38th Street. This reconstruction work is expected to take 3 weeks (weather dependant). Please visit the project web page at http://www.indy.gov/dpw.

Restrictions may be in place as construction for bike lanes is underway on Lafayette Road from 71st Street to New York Street. South of 16th Street, Lafayette Road turns into North White River Parkway West Drive. This project also extends into Pike Township.

Lansdowne Road over Cox Ditch between Chapel Glen Drive and Warrington Drive is closed for bridge reconstruction. Access to Chapel Glen Elementary school is not impacted.

Concrete work is underway on 30th Street from Tibbs Avenue to Lafayette Road.

Resurfacing work will begin on Eagle Creek Parkway from 34th Street to 38th Street.

Concrete work is underway on 30th Street from Tibbs Avenue to Lafayette Road.

PIKE TOWNSHIP
The 38th Street project from I-465 to I-65 extends into Pike Township. Please see the project details under Wayne Township.

Michigan Road from 76th Street to Double Tree Boulevard may have restrictions as storm sewer work and the creation of a pedestrian trail is underway.

Replacement of the bridge deck and railing on the 56th Street bridge over Eagle Creek is underway. Two-way traffic is being maintained in the eastbound lanes over the bridge. A partial road closure is in place on 56th Street from Dandy Trail to the Eagle Creek Golf Course.

Restrictions may be in place as construction for bike lanes is underway on Lafayette Road from 71st Street to New York Street. South of 16th Street, Lafayette Road turns into North White River Parkway West Drive. This project is in both Wayne and Center Township. This project also extends into Wayne Township.

Some restrictions may be in place as work is underway on a pedestrian trail on Michigan Road from Kessler Boulevard to 75th Street. This project also extends into Washington Township.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (west side only)
Grandview Drive is closed from north of Kessler Boulevard to Fox Hill Drive.

Some restrictions may be in place as work continues on a pedestrian trail on Michigan Road from Cold Springs Road to Kessler Boulevard.

Restrictions may occur as resurfacing and other related work is underway on the following streets.
Meridian Street from Kessler Boulevard to 86th Street
Meridian Street from 38th Street to 54th Street

Restrictions may occur as storm sewer and other related work is underway on the following streets.
Crows Nest Drive from Spring Mill Road to Fox Hill Drive
Grandiose Drive from Kessler Boulevard West Drive to West 59th Street
Laverock Road from North Delaware Street to North Washington Boulevard
Spring Mill Road from Crows Nest Drive to 64th Street
Stevenson Street from Grandview Drive to the dead end.
Sunset Lane from 63rd Street to 64th Street
Sunset Lane south of Kessler Boulevard West Drive
West 64th Street from Grandview Drive to east of Whitley
West 63rd Street from Spring Mill Road to the dead end

Restrictions may occur as sanitary work is underway on the following streets.
42nd Street from Knollton Road to Kessler Boulevard North Drive
46th Street from Ayrshire Street to Knollton Road
59th Street from Kathryn Drive to Woodside Drive
Ayrshire Street from Cold Spring Road to 46th Street
Bonnie Brae Street north of Cold Spring Road
Coburn Avenue from Cold Spring Road to 46th Street
Cold Spring Road from Ayrshire Street to Coburn Avenue
Cooper Road north of 42nd Street

Mayor Ballard Announces 56th Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Posted on by August 21, 2011
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Janice McHenry joined Mayor Ballard in announcing the 56th Street bridge projectINVESTMENT WILL RESULT IN IMPROVED PUBLIC SAFETY AND IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Greg Ballard today announced the rehabilitation of the 56th Street bridge over Eagle Creek Reservoir. City-County Councillor Janice McHenry joined Mayor Ballard in announcing the 56th Street bridge project, which will be constructed by Janssen and Spaans Engineering Inc. and will cost approximately $1,154,400.

“Historically the City rehabilitates two to three bridges each year. The 56th Street bridge project is one of the 27 bridges we are rehabilitating through the RebuildIndy initiative this year alone,” said Mayor Ballard. “Thousands of motorists travel over our City’s bridges each day. Because of this, improvements to our bridges are more than just simple infrastructure improvements – they are a matter of public safety.

The improvements to the 56th Street bridge will include complete rehabilitation and replacement of the existing deck and railings. The project will coincide with other planned projects for the causeway across the reservoir, including a lift station, force main project and resurfacing project. Residents will notice better driving conditions and greater safety for area drivers and commuters.

“Knowing that in the past there were two to three bridges rehabilitated throughout the county and that this year there will be three bridges out of 27 repaired in my district is very exciting,” said Councillor McHenry. “These bridges are all long overdue for improvements. Knowing that at least one more bridge is scheduled for next year along with all of the repaving projects is such an improvement for this area of the city.”

Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction during the construction project, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2011. For more information about the RebuildIndy program, visit www.indy.gov/RebuildIndy. To request a RebuildIndy project in your area, call the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4MAC (4622). Residents also may follow RebuildIndy project updates on Twitter via @RebuildIndy.

Case — Communities Against Senior Exploitation

Posted on by August 18, 2011
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A Special Invitation
from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office: COMMUNITIES AGAINST SENIOR EXPLOITATION
(Identify theft, home improvement, investment and mail scams)
Keynote Speakers: Deputy Prosecutors Juli Batt and Robert Reel Senior Sentinel Coordinator Cookie Vargo
REDUCING THE FEAR OF VICTIMIZATION AMONG SENIORS
Annie Kern, Community Outreach Director Community Prosecution Division
Please join us on
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 4:00pm-6:00pm
at Pleasant View Lutheran Church 801 West 73rd Street, Indianapolis
(Boxed light dinner provided by Alliance Home Health Care) RSVP required by 9/30/11 Call: Ann 317-259-6817 or Cindy 317-259-8048

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