The January public meeting of the Broad Ripple Village Association's (BRVA) Land Use and Development committee was held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Boulevard [KK28 on map], on January 25, 2022. Around 40 were in attendance.

Long-time committee members recently retired from the committee, Lynn Levy and Kathy Andry, were recognized for their many years of service on the Land Use and Development committee and were each given a gift bag. After sitting out a year, they could request to rejoin the committee. It was announced at this meeting that the BRVA has modified the committee rules, allowing for three-year terms, with a limit of three consecutive terms.

There was one land use item on the agenda.

This item was for information only, no vote was requested for this preliminary presentation.

The project is to raze the existing Kroger building at 6220 Guilford Avenue and build a 6.5 story building that fills the lot, with 10 foot minimum spacing to all four lot lines. The building would have 235 apartment units, 250 indoor parking spaces, and 3500 sq. ft. of retail space. The units are expected to be around 150 one-bedroom/studio apartments and 85 two-bedrooms. The retail space, located in the northeast corner of the lot, is expected to be a restaurant with a patio.

Two parking garage entrance/exits are planned, one on Guilford Avenue near the south east corner of the building and the other on the alley. The committee, and the audience, had many concerns about the alley access. They stated that the alley is in poor shape. It is barely usable on the south end that opens to 61st Street, due to a narrowing path that is overgrown. On the north end that connects to Broad Ripple Avenue there is considerable pedestrian traffic and poor visibility due to parked cars on the avenue. The alley is also only wide enough for one lane of travel. The petitioners said that the City of Indianapolis ordinance requires alley access to buildings.

The project, if approved, could begin construction in 2023.

The petitioners will return, probably to the February public meeting with final plans.