The Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) held a press conference in front of the Broad Ripple fire station on June 29, 2009.

BRVA president Elizabeth Marshall introduced the first speaker, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) executive director David Forsell. Forsell thanked the BRVA for helping with the recent Lilly Day of Service on which two large murals were painted and 800 trees and 4000 perennials were planted in the area.

Next, Brenda Rising-Moore of Green Broad Ripple gave an update on recycling projects. She explained that Green Broad Ripple partnered with Strategic Materials to place a dumpster behind Union Jack Pub. Many Village restaurants have been placing 9-10 tons of glass in the dumpster every month for recycling.

Brenda also said that half of the sidewalk recycling bins from an Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) grant partnering with the BRVA, Broad Ripple Alliance for Progress (BRAP), KIBI and the Department of Public Works (DPW) are on the streets. The other half of the bins will be placed soon.

City-county councillor Ryan Vaughn spoke on the future of the fire station.

"The mayor and I are both very committed to the idea and the philosophy that the number one priority of local government to provide for the safety and security of its citizens," explained Vaughn. "And to that end I am proud to be here today on behalf of the city to reaffirm our commitment to keep fire station 32 part of that safety presence. Broad Ripple is one of the few destination locations outside of downtown, the draw of its dining and entertainment venues often cause the population of this area of our county to double or sometimes triple in the evenings or on the weekends and we want to make sure that we have a public safety presence here that is available and ready to serve those people."

Elizabeth Marshall announced that Broad Ripple Avenue from the Monon to Keystone Avenue has been added to the Sustain Indy bike lane list for future projects.

She also announced a special Fortune Favors the Brave 2009 matching grant from Central Indiana Community Foundation (CCIF). BRAP, a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, established Fortune Favors the Brave 2009 to raise funds in 2009 to be spent in 2009 for four projects in the Village.

1) hire architects to draw the desired Broad Ripple Avenue plan

2) purchase a Green Machine to assist in keeping the Village streets clean

3) plant and provide upkeep to area public gardens

4) underwrite a Park 'n Ride shuttle from Glendale or Broad Ripple Park to the Avenue to help with the parking problem

The goal for this project is for 100 donors to each give $2009. The new CCIF grant will match the first $1000 of the first ten donations that occur in July, giving Broad Ripple Village up to an additional $10,000 for the improvements. For information on making a donation call 251-BRVA.