If you drive Westfield Boulevard north of the Village, you have probably noticed the construction at the curve by Broad Ripple Heating and Cooling. What once was a dense, weedy, thicket (with scary things living within) between Westfield Boulevard and the White River is now becoming an attractive natural area with safe access to the river.

"This is part of Phase IIIC of the Indianapolis North levee project, our joint project with the US Army Corps of Engineers," said Margie Smith-Simmons, public information officer for the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works. "Unlike the overall project, this component is locally funded since the Corps classifies this work as operations and maintenance. The project involves rehabilitation/reconstruction of the outfall gate structure of the North Keystone Relief Storm Sewer system and includes sluice gate replacement, power restoration, structure rehab, safety enhancements, erosion repair and new site accessibility construction (the access road). The operation of the gate closure is essential to prevent back-flooding of the Broad Ripple area when the river reaches a 25-year event flood level."

Margie mentioned that the flood gate structure, now covered in graffiti, will be sandblasted and repainted in anti-graffiti paint. The project is scheduled to be completed next summer. The access road will remain, but will be gated, as its use is restricted to DPW vehicles. In addition to improved flood control, Broad Ripple residents now have a great view of one of our long-hidden landmarks - the White River dam. The clearing and access road will allow pedestrian access down to the river.