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2018 09 28

Column

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n20)

Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm

posted: Sept. 28, 2018

Monon Trail To Be Widened

The City-County Council approved $120 million in road improvements which also included widening the Monon Trail as well as building a new bridge to carry bike and foot traffic over 38th Street. The work will begin in 2019. Broad Ripple street improvements were also recently completed.

Per Ben Easley of the City of Indianapolis: As both projects involving the Monon are still in their design phase, the details we have are more schedule estimates than technical details.

The Monon Trail Resurfacing and Widening project (ST-25-099) will improve the trail corridor between 10th and 96th streets; DPW will manage the construction contract, and we estimate that work will occur during the 2020 construction season. The public has been invited to participate in the design process at any of three public open houses next week; the mid-town location is scheduled for 5-6pm on Thursday, September 27 at Bishop Chatard High School. Early drafts of the design will be available, and staff will be on hand to answer questions and receive public comment.

Additionally, the Monon Trail bridge over 38th Street (BR-18-002) will continue in its design phase through much of 2019, also to be constructed primarily in 2020. DPW Project Management staff for this project will also be available at the meetings next week for questions.

On the streets side of things, DPW has recently completed several segments as part of resurfacing projects in the Broad Ripple area, including: E 61st Street, from College Ave to Compton St; Carrollton Ave, from 64th to 66th streets; Ferguson Street, from 64th to 67th streets; and Westfield Blvd, from Riviera to Shore Island drives.

City-County Councillor Colleen Fanning noted the widening will occur in 2020-2021 and added, "The Monon Trail is an important greenway that allows people to recreate and enjoy many different parts of Indianapolis. I'm thrilled it is getting an upgrade. The widening of the Trail will promote more use and help keep our communities vibrant and connected."

Officials Question Unauthorized Indy Filing Supporting Nickel Plate/State Fair Rail Corridor Abandonment

Senator Mike Crider and City-County Councillor Jared Evans (as well as US Rail Holdings) have urged the Surface Transportation Board to suspend its proceeding considering allowing the abandonment of the Nickel Plate Corridor (aka State Fair Train) pending an investigation into who in the City of Indianapolis approved support for the controversial plan of Fishers and Noblesville. (See last week's column and their recent comments to the STB.) Fishers and Noblesville want the tracks converted to a rail trail without a discussion of dual use for transit.

In a surprise move that angered regional transit advocates, the City of Indianapolis (via a Chicago law firm) urged prompt action to approve abandonment of the tracks from 10th Street to 96th Street (which run north to north of Noblesville) in a joint filing with Fishers and Noblesville (who are pushing for same) - including ignoring the comments of the two officials.

Transit advocates want a joint rail and trail use or at least public comment.

DPW called my request for public comment "premature" since no funding has been received to pull up the tracks.

But who ok'd such a move in the first place?

Why are we spending city funds attacking the positions of local officials before the STB?

Why are we in agreement with Fishers and Noblesville? The rail corridor is a regional transit treasure which should not be abandoned without a robust public discussion.

Disturbingly, recently some of the tracks appear to have been removed between 13th and 20th Street.

Why are we paying a Chicago law firm to attack the positions of Senator Crider and Councilor Evans before a Federal agency?

Where is the regional leadership on a discussion of use of the Nickel Plate/State Fair corridor for bus rapid transit, commuter rail, or joint rail and trail use?

Why is DPW even involved? Since when are they a regional transit authority?

Stay tuned in this developing story.

To follow the story, see Save the Nickel Plate on Facebook (for advocates only).

IPL Makes It Easier to Monitor Your Energy Use

Do you like to see how much energy you are using on a given day? Do you like to see what your electricity bill might be. With an electrically heated apartment, I do (and also to check how much my air conditioning is costing me).

IPL has enhanced this system. Per their press release: IPL continually strives to improve the overall experience for its 490,000 customers. Visit IPLpower.com today to begin taking advantage of this new digital experience.

Also replace your old light bulbs with energy efficient LEDs to save even more.

DC Perfect for a Fall Getaway

I was just in Washington, D.C. for a long weekend. I visited the new Waterfront Wharf Area which is full of fun things to do. You can catch a ferry to Georgetown, Alexandria, or National Harbor. There are several new restaurants and hotels. You can buy live crab or grab a shrimp platter at the seafood area. Take the Green Line Metro to Waterfront Station or catch the free SW DC Shuttle.

I like the Comfort Inn on 13th Street. Rooms are a bargain and you can walk to the shops and restaurants on 14th Street.

The weather is perfect for a visit to the Zoo or a hike up Rock Creek Park.

I took American (actually operated by our very own local airline, Republic) to close-in Reagan National Airport and hopped the Yellow Line to Mt. Vernon Station where it is a short walk to the hotel.

Upcoming

Sep. 30, 2018 - International Taste of Nora-Celebrate Hispanic Heritage. Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos will be performing traditional dances from 2-4 p.m. with Hispanic themed crafts and refreshments to follow. Nora Library, 8625 Guilford,

Oct. 12, 2018 - Faculty Show Opening Reception, Indianapolis Art Center, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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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