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2018 09 14

Column

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n19)

Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm

posted: Sept. 14, 2018

Regional transit leadership void-Indy joins with Fishers and Noblesville to eviscerate rail corridor

What if there were dedicated train tracks perfect for commuter rail, bus rapid transit, a special events train, or Amtrak service that went from north of Noblesville through Fishers, stopped at 71st Street, and then went all the way to downtown Indianapolis to 10th Street?

Actually, there are such tracks already in place (to 22nd Street) and the corridor continues to 10th.

The Nickel Plate Railroad/State Fair train tracks go from north of Noblesville all the way to 22nd Street and the corridor continues to 10th Street in downtown Indy - including a stop at 71st Street.

However, in a surprise move, the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works (in a joint filing to the Surface Transportation Board (STB)) supported the controversial Fishers-Noblesville request using their attorney to convert the State Fair Train tracks (aka Nickel Plate Line) into a bike and hike trail -- without any public input or comment.

A freight railroad wants the tracks to remain and the STB has jurisdiction.

Specifically, on August 17, Chicago attorney Robert Wimbish of Fletcher and Sippel (who represents Fishers and Noblesville) submitted comments for Indianapolis as well to the Federal Surface Transportation Board offering to link Indy's portion of the rail line (from 13th Street to 96th Street, a distance of 12 miles) to the other segments as a rail trail and supporting abandonment of the rail corridor.

Indianapolis offered to serve as a sponsor for the trail and urged prompt action.

Read the DPW/Fishers/Noblesville comments at: https://bit.ly/2O5zenQ

DPW issued the following statement in response to my queries and was kind enough to send me the pleading:

"While there are no plans at this time to convert the rail line into a trail, the recent filings by the Department of Public Works preserves the city's ability to work with neighborhood and community leaders to explore increased connectivity along the corridor.

Currently, no funds have been allocated to explore future options for this line and no planning process is currently underway.

Therefore, asking for public comment at this time would be premature."

A few questions remain:

Who authorized this at City Hall? Did our City-County Councilors know? IndyParks?

Why was the Metropolitan Planning Organization not involved who handles regional transit planning?

Who paid for the Chicago law firm to file comments with the STB?

When I reached out to other organizations, (the Indianapolis Chamber, Commuter Connect/Central Indiana Transportation Authority, IndyGo, and transit organizer Kim Irwin of Health by Design) no one seemed to be particularly concerned by the development or had no position.

IndyGo issued the following statement:

"Funding for the 70% transit expansion is coming from Marion County income taxes. The Green Line corridor has long been planned as a regional line to connect the northeast suburbs to downtown Indianapolis, but the maximum income tax of .25% and the county-by-county approach taken by the legislature are both factors that limit the feasibility of the Green Line in the near future.

Decisions about right-of-way projects within Marion County are made by the Department of Public Works."

(What IndyGo is saying is because Hamilton County has not voted to increase the income tax .25% to fund regional transit, they won't be pursuing a suburban rapid bus line to the suburbs.)

Some local media coverage portrayed this as development of a 50-mile rail trail ignoring the Nickel Plate controversy.

The lack of regional leadership on this transit issue is disappointing and exposes an embarrassing flaw in the region's planning process (or lack thereof).

The corridor should kept for use by transit.

The tracks should not be torn out. Or joint use should be explored.

Tell DPW and City leaders to hold hearings and take comments on their unilateral proposal and let our city councilors know that this would be a perfect transit corridor.

Ask DPW to withdraw their comments to the STB.

Advocates should join Save the Nickel Plate on Facebook to follow updates. The group had a rally at the State House recently.

Scooters Return to the Ripple

The scooters are back in the Village as of September 5. Laura Beck of Lime Bikes told me 500 scooters are expected in the Village alone. Plus, we may have Bird Scooters, their competitor.

Check the Lime Bike app for details. Coming soon may be dock-free Lime E Bikes which unlike our current bike share program does not utilize docking stations.

Leave your car at home September 21

September 21, 2018 is Car Free Indy Day. Commuter Connect has organized the event. See www.cirta.us/commuter-connect for details or email cs@cirta.us. Try transit, biking or carpooling. Meet at 6:45 a.m. from Einstein's Bagels to ride downtown.

Stunning New Rooftop Views of the Ripple

The new River House Apartments, 6311 Westfield Boulevard, open October 15. The view from the 7th floor roof top terrace is great.

UPCOMING

September 21-22, 2018: Fall Plant Sale at ISBVI green house, 75th and Westfield

September 22, 2018: Rock the Ruins at Holliday Park. Music from 5 bands runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5. Children and AARP members get in free.

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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