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2018 08 31

Column

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n18)

Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm

posted: Aug. 31, 2018

Mayor gets petition with 526 signatures: save the BR outdoor pool

On August 15, 2018, Friends of Broad Ripple pool presented a petition with 526 signatures to the Mayor (with copies also given to the Department of Metropolitan Development) urging him to tell IndyParks to keep the Broad Ripple Park outdoor pool open.

Also on the same day, the Metropolitan Development Commission held a hearing on the Broad Ripple Park Master Plan which among other things calls for closing the outdoor pool.

The Friends of Broad Ripple Pool turned out to speak against the plan and also gave the story to the media.

Tom McCain of Friends of B.R. Park said that Indy Parks should give further consideration to some features, including the pool.

Councilor Christine Scales also spoke in favor of the pool and the need to make more effort to find lifeguards. Councilor Fanning said she favored the year round pool proposal which would make it easier to hire life guards.

Pam Warren of Friends of Broad Ripple Pool talks to Channel 8 before the MDC meeting on August 15, 2018.

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

Although the MDC approved the plan, MDC President John Dillon admonished the IndyParks Director to state on the record that the pool would continue for the time being, that it would not be closed until Indy Parks was ready to install another aquatic feature, and that - regardless of the plan and before any major step is taken with regard to the pool - that step must again be approved by the Parks Board and the MDC.

Relatedly, I reached out to Community Health media relations staff for a comment on their proposal to IndyParks to build a health clinic in the park which would include a rec center. At press time, they did not return my calls, however.

According to the consultant for IndyParks, the new YMCA downtown (City Way YMCA) apparently has a similar partnership with Franciscan Health and both are located in the same building (although the Franciscan facility is not located in a public park).

To help save the outdoor pool and see that it is better managed, join the Friends of Broad Ripple Pool on Facebook. And let the Mayor, our City-County Councilor Collen Fanning, and BRVA know you support keeping the outdoor pool a permanent fixture in Broad Ripple Park. It can be better managed. And we already have a splash park at 61st and Broadway Park.

Meanwhile, if you like to swim outdoors, the Carmel Clay Park pool and the Jordan Y, are all still open. Only our city pools closed August 5, although Carmel Clay is only open weekends.

Johnny's Market to Stay Open Until Halloween

Rather than close on Labor Day, Johnny's Market (which sells flowers, fruits, and vegetables) will stay open until Halloween this year. Then they re-open with Christmas Trees later in the fall. You will find them in front of the Fresh Thyme Parking Garage on College Avenue where you can get Decker melons, Indiana tomatoes, sweet corn and more.

Juice it Up in the Ripple

After two years of waiting, we finally have a fresh juice bar in the Village. Natural Born Juicers has opened at 882 East Coil (just off the Monon Trail near La Piedad). I am a carrot juice fanatic. Enjoy their new outdoor seating.

While Fresh Thyme has a juice bar, their machines have been broken for the last two weeks.

More drama in the flood control project

Jim Polito of Finish the Floodwall and Save the Warfleigh sent along the following update regarding an issue regarding the controversial project:

"Many recently received notice from the City they are property owners within a proposed "White River-Indianapolis North Flood Control Improvement District."

The district intends to capture incremental property tax revenue resulting from completing flood control work within the district and use these revenues for flood control work. . .

Nevertheless, while the logic of the proposal is sound, (he) believes the City's implementation is problematic and may have raised more questions than it answered.

"The City's notice of public hearing lacks any significant explanation of what incremental property tax revenue is and lacks detail regarding the exact cost and location of flood control work within the district.

Accordingly, many individuals see this as an attempt by the City to impose an open-ended tax increase upon property owners within the district.

. . . . (He) cited other implementation problems, including that the City seemingly seeks to impermissibly use captured incremental property tax revenue: (1) for purposes other than flood control work, (2) for purposes that benefit the City of Indianapolis overall and not just property owners within the district, and (3) for flood control work outside the boundaries of the proposed district.

Out of the Ripple: Your Denver Weekend

Denver is a short flight from Indianapolis with three airlines offering non-stop flights at low fares.

I went for a long weekend recently and discovered the new River North Arts District (RiNo) which is just north of downtown. The new Source Hotel and Marketplace feature a hotel, shops and great restaurants.

Also fun is the Highlands neighborhood west of downtown.

Chessman Park is worth a visit as is the Denver Botanical Garden which is just east of the park.

Don't miss the fabulous Union Station which also has shops and restaurants as well as a farmers market on Saturday mornings. It is also where you catch the A commuter rail line to and from the airport.

I liked the Homewood Suites Downtown. Other great hotels include the Hyatt at the Convention Center and the Hampton Inn on Sherman. And of course the new Source Hotel in RiNo.

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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