Typically I write about pet related topics however, on March 21 there was an article in the Indianapolis Star that gave me something different to "howl" about. The article was in the North Indy section, written by Gretchen Becker, regarding the BRVA Town Hall meeting. Becker informs us that questions came up regarding police and fire safety, parking and development. Aah....development! Ashley Plummer, a former Gazette staffer has let her feelings be known about development in past issues. Seems everyone has opinions, myself included. I grew up on Winthrop and it amazes me the condos being built there. Apparently, at the Town Hall meeting high density came up in discussion. Everyone wants to live in Broad Ripple so let's build as much as we can, where we can and fit them all in. Traffic is getting awfully congested and not fun. Streets are narrow. But we love Broad Ripple! Panelists were asked to characterize Broad Ripple as a part of Indianapolis. "It's somewhat Norman Rockwell-ish" according to James Greeson, Indianapolis Fire Department Chief. He says, "I think it's a unique alternative for the residents of not only Indianapolis, but also Central Indiana". Maury Plambeck, Department of Metropolitan Development director said "I look at Broad Ripple as the cool, hip place that people want to be. You live in Broad Ripple because you think there's something cool about it......Most cities have more Broad Ripples than we do. I wish we had about twenty Broad Ripples."

We don't have to keep watching all the new and exciting things happening in Hamilton County. We can build more "Broad Ripples" right down the street.....South. We don't have to put ten pounds of stuff in a five pound bag, so to speak. Ashley was concerned that these new condos were too expensive and too large. They have to be to make them sustainable. They cost a lot of money to build and the developers don't want to work for free. These are big developers with projects going on in Florida also. Enter a small, local Broad Ripple Developer who is trying to make a difference in our community. This would be Leif Hinterberger of Carreau Designs located on Cornell Avenue. He has bought up the block of 49th to 50th on College. And guess what?! It is proposed to be businesses, restaurants, and affordable housing (apartments) above. One local Broad Ripple restaurant is ready to open a second location there, when it gets off the ground. Meridian Kessler, powers that be, showed their ugly side to Hinterberger when they got snobbish towards the "affordability" component of the project. This will not be government housing, folks. It just means that diverse people ( seniors, singles, students, disabled, etc.) will have an opportunity to live, work and play in a hip and cool new place close to the Monon Trail, Butler University, the real Broad Ripple, Downtown, churches, the library, multiple restaurants and the new Fresh Market. It will have a bus stop on the corner for public transit and savings on gas. Here's another, guess what?! Maury Plambeck, the panelist who said he wished we had about twenty Broad Ripples, has the project on his desk right now waiting for a signature (his or the Mayor's) so it can be passed to the state for some grant monies available to historic revitalization. It's ready to go. Please Mr. Plambeck, sign it now and move it along before our local developer runs out of time and money. Hinterberger has already invested three million dollars in this project in the last several years. He needs a little help from his friends and that is where CAN DO! comes in (College Avenue Neighborhood Development Organization). Have you seen their signs posted on the curbs on that block? This is a new, not for profit group with a mission to revitalize/redevelop aging infrastructure, land and buildings and to foster good relationships between merchants and residents on College avenue from 54th to 38th Street. They secured an appointment with Mayor Ballard, Maury Plambeck and Senator Teresa Lubbers. Senator Lubbers says the state cannot move forward until the city signs-off first.

So come on Mr. Plambeck; Let's make your wish come true. Let's build some more Broad Ripples and not over-develop the original one. That will make this city rock and give us all something to howl about. Oh, and if any of you have seen a leprechaun with a pot of gold, send him to the folks at CAN DO! They are looking for some interested new members and a little gold to fund their worthy group. Contact them at CANDO4846@aol.com.