The quarterly public meeting for the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) was held on July 24, 2012, at the Indianapolis Art Center. Almost 100 people attended the meeting. The larger than normal turnout was due to the parking/mixed-use structure update on the agenda.

BRVA President Mark Wolf called the meeting to order at 7pm and introduced the new Executive Director Brooke Klejnot.

First on the agenda was a report from Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Commander Koppel. Koppel discussed the July 4th shooting and the increase in cruising and loitering in the Village. Cruising has been a problem at many locations in the city. As the problem is alleviated at each location, the cruisers move to another spot. That spot is becoming Broad Ripple. Koppel explained that IMPD will step up enforcement to move it out of the already congested Broad Ripple area.

Next on the agenda was Keystone Construction to answer questions about the mixed-use parking structure that is under construction at College Avenue and Westfield Boulevard. Little has changed from the original design presented months ago. The changes made allow for flood control pieces to fit into the structure in case of a major flood. This is a concept similar to the levee walls that run by the Indianapolis Art Center and the levee proposed to cross the canal south of 56th Street. Those levee walls have sliding gates and/or sections that are installed when flood waters are approaching.

Also on hand to answer questions about the parking project was the Department of Public Works (DPW). It was announced that there will be trees planted on the College side, new sidewalks installed, new crosswalks, stop lights, and that the north corner will be more pedestrian-friendly by removing the currently above-ground traffic control equipment.

The Q and A portion of the presentation then turned ugly. Questions and comments were angrily shouted from the back of the auditorium. This anger was misdirected at the speakers at the meeting. Some audience members did not seem to understand that the construction company and DPW representatives in attendance only dealt with current construction issues and streetscape issues. The crowd had questions about parking permits, traffic flow, and other things beyond the scope of this early meeting.

Next, Mark Wolf introduced Mark Warner, Mayor Ballard's Neighborhood Liaison, and the new City-County Councillor for District 3 (which includes Broad Ripple) Will Gooden. Will replaced Councillor Ryan Vaughn when Ryan recently became Ballard's Chief of Staff. Wolf encouraged residents with questions for the Mayor's office to come to the BRVA office at 6311 Westfield Boulevard, Suite 101, on Wednesdays when the Mayor's liaison is working from there. Contact info for Gooden and Warner are on page 22 of this Gazette.

Upcoming events mentioned included the Sidewalk Sale (Aug. 5, 2012), Ripple Effect 4 mile run/walk (Sept. 2, 2012), BR Historic Home Tour (Sept. 29, 2012), and Fall Gallery Tour (Oct. 12, 2012).

The next quarterly public meeting of the BRVA is scheduled for October 23, 2012, at the Indianapolis Art Center at 7pm. The annual board elections take place at that meeting.