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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n04)
Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
posted: Feb. 16, 2018

Round the Ripple header

Library Rejects Moving Glendale Branch Into BRHS, Public Input Not Planned
I attended the public meeting at the Glendale Branch Library with Indianapolis Public Library CEO Jackie Nytes on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018.
Glendale Branch is leaving the Glendale Mall in 2022 when its lease is up. They already have approved funds to build a new building. (Until 2001, the Glendale Branch was located in Broad Ripple Park which is now a community center.)
Surprisingly, the Library has already extensively reviewed many potential sites for the new Glendale Branch without any public input and, worse, appears on a verge of a decision which is focused more on parking spaces than what the community may want.
An attendee asked at the meeting why they were not surveying the Glendale patrons to see what they want. Nytes said she didn't want to have to disappoint them if the idea was too expensive or unworkable.
Nytes said they have talked to IPS about moving into the Broad Ripple High School building which is being vacated after this school year. She said the site was too expensive, and "doesn't work well" as it would be hard to serve clients to the east of Broad Ripple due to "traffic challenges" (in Broad Ripple). Nytes said the Library was not interested in adding to the "traffic woes" (of Broad Ripple).
Broad Ripple High School is also too big for just the Library, she continued, so they would need a partner for other uses at the building (which would be too complicated).
The Library has also looked at building on the empty parking lot behind Glendale Mall. While the site would work, the land was apparently too expensive.
They also looked at the vacant Marsh Store (Keystone at 62nd Street) but the owner only wants to lease the building and the Library wants to buy it.
Finally, she reported the Library is in talks with Washington Township Schools to take over the John Strange Elementary School on 62nd between Keystone and Allisonville.
I commented that not every trip to the Library should have to be in a car. You should be able to take transit, walk, or bike to the Library. (Indeed you can visit them on-line now.)
I asked why the Library did not want to "go local" and integrate the Library into the fabric of the community and the neighborhoods. (With a library back in the Village, you would have increased pedestrian traffic and could weave a visit to the Library into other activities in the Village.)
Nytes said they didn't have the funds to be in every neighborhood and that such an approach would be fine for Broad Ripple only. (They want the new Glendale Branch to reach neighborhoods further east.)
I asked why not have several smaller libraries rather than using a COSTCO approach (i.e. a mega Library which is everything to everybody and has lots of stuff including parking).
I have alerted Broad Ripple Village Association to this development. The Library needs to survey Glendale patrons and use this as a time to see what people want and what works best as well as have several public hearings.
Having the Library back in Broad Ripple would add diversity and walkability to our community and would help the Library be more relevant as well - especially to Millennials who, one meeting attendee noted, never use the Library. Nytes' car-centric approach needs a vision update to reflect that the growing Indy neighborhoods (Fountain Square, Downtown, and Broad Ripple) are walkable, livable communities that do not rely on the automobile or four lane streets.
You can contact Nytes on the Library website and give your feedback. I urge readers to do just that. The Library should focus on people, not parking in making such a major decision. And sustainable reuse should top new construction. BRHS should be re-considered.


New Master Plan Coming For Broad Ripple Park
IndyParks is doing a new master plan for Broad Ripple Park. The process starts next month. 6 to 8pm on March 7, April 4, May 2, and May 23, 2018, at Broad Ripple High School, 1115 Broad Ripple Avenue.
"Indy Parks is so excited to begin the Broad Ripple Master Plan in March 2018. The plan will look at how the park is currently being used and ways we can enhance it, "according to Ronnetta Spalding of IndyParks.


BRVA Gets New President, Seeks Executive Director
New Broad Ripple Village Association President Joshua John was elected President last month. He also noted they have an opening for an executive director with the departure of long time ED Brooke Klejnot. We wish Brooke well. She was a tireless advocate for the Village and organized many great Village events.


Sap To Syrup Day At Holliday Park
The skunk cabbage has broken through the snow and ice. Spring is around the corner. The sap is flowing in the maple trees so it's time for the annual Sap to Syrup day at Holliday Park on February 24th, 2018, from 1pm to 3 pm. $7/person, pre-registration required.


Do Your Taxes At BR Park
For details go to IndyParksTaxPrepLocations.pdf
You can also call 317-327-7161 as appointments are required.





Bill Malcolm also writes a travel column in The Midwest Eagle and is a reporter for All Aboard Indiana (as a volunteer for both). He advocates for fair and affordable utility rates for a national association based in Washington, D.C. He welcomes reader feedback and story ideas. Send to Bill@BroadRippleGazette.com




bill@broadripplegazette.com
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