IBJ: Bicycle Hub at the City Market?

Over at the IBJ Property Lines blog, Cory Schouten posted 6 proposals for reviving the City Market, located downtown at the corner of Market & Alabama.

One proposal includes a bicycle hub:

Columbus, Ohio-based planning firm Kinzelman Kline Gossman proposes replacing the market’s wings with mixed-use “green” buildings and an outdoor performance venue, with a bike hub/shop, a "green” grocer, a microbrewery and wine bar. Kinzelman would tear down both wings. On the west side, it would build a three- to four-story building with a ground-floor retail or food anchor. On the east side, it proposes a public plaza with an 8,000-square-foot bicycle hub facility connected to the Cultural Trail.

Check out the original article to see all of the re-development proposals.

2010: Indianapolis Cultural Trail

This year will be the busiest and most exciting year for the Cultural Trail to date. Here's what you can expect in 2010:

February/March: the three poems and poets chosen for the "Moving Forward" public art bus shelters will be announced.

May: construction will begin on Alabama St. connecting Market St. to Washington St. plus construction on the Capitol Ave. Corridor in conjunction with the new Indiana Convention Center from Washington St. to South St.

May/June: construction will begin on the Southeast Corridor connecting Washington St. and Pennsylvania St. down Virginia Ave. to the fountain. (Photo: Brian Payne leading bike tour in Fountain Square.)

July: North Corridor ribbon-cutting (including a special celebration to unveil the Glick Peace Walk).

September: Northeast Corridor ribbon-cutting, celebrating complete connectivity from the Monon Trail at 10th St. to the Canal and IUPUI and three new public art installations.

Original Newsletter

Cultural Trail Gifts Exceed $1 Million in 2009

From indyculturaltrail.info:

December 15, 2009 -- Despite a tough economy, generous individuals, foundations and corporations have donated more than $1 million this year to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. To date, $43 million of the $55 million budget has been raised by both private and public funding for the eight-mile trail connecting downtown cultural districts and greenway trails. This does not include local tax-payer funding; $15 million in federal transportation grants were secured that must be used specifically for such alternative transportation enhancements.

The following individuals, foundations and businesses made new gifts or pledges of $1,000 or more this year:

Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation $250,000
Christel DeHaan Family Foundation $250,000
Anonymous $100,000
Citizens Energy Group $100,000
Indiana Pacers $100,000
W.C. Griffith Foundation $85,000
Rollie and Cheri Dick $50,000
Larry and Lee Glasscock $30,000
Anonymous $25,000
Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc. $25,000
United Water Green Infrastructure Grant $20,000
Charles and Peggy Sutphin $10,000
Hulman and Company Foundation $10,000
The Clowes Fund $5,000
Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival (The Longest Dinner) $2,500
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Blanton $1,000
Mark Zwoyer and Peggy McDonald $1,000

"We are very grateful to everyone who continues to support this project," said Cultural Trail founder and president of Central Indiana Community Foundation, Brian Payne. "It has been a tough year for everyone. This tremendous support in such a difficult year tells us that even in down times, investing in our city's future remains an important priority in this community."

There is still a $12 million gap to complete the Cultural Trail in time for the Super Bowl in February 2012 in Indianapolis. Make a gift or learn more about how to support the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

WRTV: Confusion Abounds Over Cost Of Cultural Trail

No, WRTV, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

I was basically in shock watching this segment on Channel 6 news about the Cultural Trail. How could a local news source give this project bad press? They have access to all of the facts!

The trail was presented as if it were a boondoggle of a project that was picking the citizens of indianapolis' pockets. They gave the bulk of the segment to the ignorant interviewee and splashed in a bit of truth from the trail planners.

If you don't know by now: The Cultural Trail is funded largely by private and federally granted funds. The granted funds can literally be used for NOTHING else besides transportation related projects. Your local taxes are not being used to fund this project.

This "Bridge To Nowhere" is literally a bridge to everywhere. (Thanks, Newg) The Cultural Trail will do nothing more than add to the progression of Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS -- What can $55 million do for the city of Indianapolis?

That question is being posed to proponents of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a project that is expected to cost $55 million.

The multi-purpose path that is being built in downtown Indianapolis for bicyclists, runners, joggers and pedestrians comes at a staggering costs, detractors say, but organizers insist there is more confusion than controversy surrounding the project's cost.

"I'm sure it will be a great addition to the city. My concern would be the timing of it," said resident Jim Ramsey, who contacted 6News to share his views on the project. "This is an outrageous project in light of our economic times."

Full Article & Video

DIG-B: Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Fellow Indy Blogger DIG-B has been documenting the progress of the Cultural Trail construction. Head over to his site to follow the construction!

Indy Recreational Trails video podcast

Just saw this in an email from the Indy Cultural Trail org. I've been wanting to do a series highlighting the Monon for a little while now, and this is a definite start. The Monon is a huge benefit to Indy, and one I get to enjoy most every day on my rides to and from work. I was just talking to a coworker of mine about how there's a small little community of headnodding and "good mornings" now among some of the faces I regularly see jogging/walking/riding/etc. every morning on my way to work.



What's fun about these videos, too, is watching to see if anyone I know pops up. I was looking for my Monon-frequenter pals, Scott (Early Indy Bike Messenger Turned Running Guru) or Keith (Red Beard Bike Polo Guru). I didn't see either of them, but if you watch close, you can see an ugly dude zip past the camera around 1:10. My mother would be proud, even if your mothers wouldn't.

Urban Times Facelift and article about Mass Ave. Crit

Some of you may be familiar with the local publication, Urban Times. Well, they've recently launched a new website that is pretty slick looking (I've to admit, I'm incredibly happy to see the old papyrus logo go the way of the sans serif, but that's a different matter). While I was perusing this site, I came across a nice little write up about the upcoming Cultural Trail Mass Ave. Criterium:

Competitive cyclists from across the Midwest will converge upon Mass Ave for the second straight year, taking part a series of races known as the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Mass Ave Criterium.

The event will occur from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in the 400 and 500 blocks of Mass Ave, with the triangular course also covering Vermont and East streets. Vehicular traffic along the route will be restricted that day, although pedestrians and cars will be allowed to cross these streets mid-race.

Presented by NUVO, the annual event is described as a European-like festival which involves races in five categories, as well as a kid’s race and a bicycle safety rodeo.

Full story here.

Nice site, Urban Times. Keep up the good work.

(A bit of an update: the associated alleycat mentioned at the end of the article has actually been postponed due to logistical reasons. This will hopefully be an addition to the 2010 Mass Ave. Crit.)

Mayor Ballard Bike Safety PSA

Sustain Indy recently released a bike safety PSA featuring Mayor Ballard over at their site. It doesn't have any embed code unfortunately, but you can view it here. It's very "PSA'ish" quality, but it's nice to see how much the Mayor is getting behind cycling in Indy. Between this video, his unveiling of the BikeWays plan, and the Mayor's Bike Ride, I'm starting to feel a little warm and fuzzy inside.

There's actually a good bit of activity going on over at Sustain Indy's site. It's great to see some updates on their site, especially in the BikeWays sections. I was starting to feel like there was some foot-dragging going on, but it looks like things are getting moving.

Ben and I both think that there should be a link on the site that would allow individuals and organizations to donate directly to the BikeWays fund. I've been meaning to call them to see if something like this is in the works, but I've not been able to get around to it due to a hectic life. I'll try to get that done soon and let everyone know what I hear.

A Little More about the Cultural Trail

From the Indy Star:

A groundbreaking took place last week on the second of seven phases of what will eventually be a $55 million Cultural Trail that city leaders hope will become a unique tourist attraction.

Brian Payne, president of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the trail's founder, said fundraising for the trail has reached $42 million.

The one-mile Northeast Corridor section will run from the end of the Monon Trail at 10th Street along Massachusetts Avenue to Walnut and North streets. It will connect to the first completed section of the trail on Alabama Street and should be done by summer.

Elizabeth Garber, owner of a chocolate shop on Massachusetts Avenue, said she is excited that the trail could bring thousands of people into the area. She created a "cultural trail mix" that contributes $1 per bag sold to the project.

Payne said a third trail section, along North and Walnut streets from Massachusetts to the Downtown Canal, will be announced in about six weeks.

The Arts Council of Indianapolis also revealed plans for three public art projects along the trail. The projects feature solar-powered sculptures, an alley beautified with lighting and scent, and a crossing signal that changes from "Care" to "Don't Care."

"The Cultural Trail is a tremendous asset that can transform Downtown," Ballard said. "When we get this all connected, people are going to say, 'Wow.' "

Read the full story here, and then go buy some chocolate!

USA Junior Team's Adam Leibovitz Wins Prologue

USA Junior Team's Adam Leibovitz Wins Prologue
Borlo, Belgium Junior National Team member Adam Leibovitz (Indianapolis, Ind./Nuvo Cultural Trail) won Friday’s prologue of the Ster Van Zuid-Limburg stage race in Belgium, clocking a winning time of 6 minutes, 21 seconds over the five-kilometer course.

One of 34 Americans participating in USA Cycling’s national team program in Europe this month, Leibovitz is one of six juniors competing in the four-day event. Teammate Jacob Rathe (Portland, Ore./CMG Racing) also scored a top-ten finish, placing seventh.

Three others: Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes), Nathan Brown (Covington, Tenn./Hot Tubes) and Alex Battles-Wood (Tulsa, Ok./Power Train) – finished in the top 20 of the 186-rider field, placing 11th, 19th and 20th respectively. The squad’s sixth member, Connor O’Leary (Salt Lake City, Utah/FFKR Architects/SportsBaseOnline) was 30th.The six 17- and 18-year-old athletes are currently joined by 14 U23 riders and 14 women competing throughout Western Europe this month.

Leibovitz will wear the yellow leader’s jersey in stage 1 on Saturday, a 119-kilometer race from Borlo to Alt-Hoeselt.

Original Article

Green Week WTHR

From WTHR:

Green Week brings money saving and money making projects

It could be a huge moneymaker for the City of Indianapolis. The ceremonial groundbreaking on the next phase of the city's cultural trail is Tuesday, coinciding with Green Week in Indianapolis.

Although construction has already gotten underway, the groundbreaking will take place at 1:30pm Tuesday.

This stretch is paid for by a$ 6 million dollar federal transportation grant. Many private donors have stepped up, but more money is still needed to complete the last 4 phases of the trail.

The vision is that 8 miles of lanes will cut down on emissions, improve public health, and trees planted along it will help air and groundwater quality.

By connecting the Monon at 10th street to cultural districts and existing bike lanes downtown, the hope is more people will live here and bike to work, run errands on foot, walk to shops and boost economic development.

Full story here.

Construction kick-off for Northeast Corridor

Indianapolis Cultural Trail to host construction kick-off for Northeast Corridor

April 8, 2009 -- The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick will host a construction kick-off event to celebrate the Northeast Corridor, part of which will be renamed the "Efroymson Fund Corridor" when construction is complete.

At the event, Mayor Greg Ballard and Cultural Trail officials will announce recent significant gifts to the project, as well as three public art projects on the Northeast Corridor.

What: Northeast Corridor celebration; donations and public art announcements

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Alley on Mass Ave behind Chatham Tap and Scholar's Inn Restaurant

This is the second of seven construction phases or corridors for the Cultural Trail. The first half-mile East Corridor was completed in June 2008. The contract to construct the one-mile Northeast Corridor was awarded to Sunesis Construction Company in October 2008 for $6.1 million. Construction recently began, restricting traffic in the following areas:

--- New Jersey Street between Walnut and North streets is one-way northbound. Parking is still available in the east curb lane.

--- Walnut Street from New Jersey Street to Park Avenue is one-way eastbound with parking on the south curb lane.