Year archives: 2010

Earth House

Earth House was opened last year in a Church in Lockerbie Square. The House serves a wide variety of interests: coffee shop, concert venue, free market, and a culture that seems imported straight from my college town, Bloomington. The vegetarian restaurant is undergoing changes currently and is temporarily closed. Upstairs Concert Venue: Full disclosure: I …

West Washington Street

West Washington Street has been a base for Latin American immigrants in Indianapolis for decades. The area near Belmont Street contains an array of historic mixed-use store fronts. This may be a controversial point, but I believe this might be most fully-functioning “Main Street” type of area in the city. Most of the buildings are …

Parking Lot Density

This parking lot stood out to me when I visited some friends in their new office. Some of the cars in the back have 5 cars in front of them, and getting them out of there must be like a sliding block puzzle. The lot is located just north of Market Street, on Wabash Street.

Amazing before and after

A house in my neighborhood underwent an amazing transformation, and I didn’t even know it was happening at the time. Often I walked past this house and thought it was pretty shabby: I had no clue of its potential. One day recently I noticed it was completely different: It’s hard to believe it’s the same …

Alleys

Alleys serve an essential function in residential neighborhoods. They house the less attractive, but essential, necessities: garages, utility poles, trash cans and more. If it weren’t for alleys, these would all be fronting the street. This alley a block from my house has to be one of the nicest in the area. Nicely paved and …

It’s Always Cloudy on Keystone Avenue

This is the best this stretch of Keystone can look: Keystone Avenue is a tough place to love. It is similar to newer automobile-based commercial strips, with a few differences: Utility poles in the sidewalks. Actually, that makes 2 differences, in that there are actually sidewalks on Keystone. But with the utility poles crowding the …

GIS Nerd Alert!

If you’ve clicked my profile, you’ve seen that I’m a GIS Technician. I have a Geography degree, which is why I find space and place so important. Today I found this fascinating article on the New York Times about the use of GIS in finding little unused public spaces, which, when added up, make up …

Update on Near Eastside Investment

There were a few reports last night regarding the Near Eastside Investment project. Here’s are some links: WRTV, including video. Star WISH WTHR, including video. As most are aware, I love the potential of East 10th Street. Our densest commerial street deserves this attention.

More fun with zoning

This article on the Star is yet another example of our misplaced priorities with regards to zoning. Let’s go down a quick list of why this is ridiculous to fight: Gives Eastside residents a much-needed place to work. Helps the city’s tax base. A green business that can be called on as a future asset. …

Heads up: Near-eastside neighborhood redevelopment

This little blurb is so short that I can quote it in full. The announcement will take place Monday at 10 am at Brookside Elementary School. Thanks to Thundermutt for the heads up. The 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee next week will be among six groups announcing a new investment in a local neighborhood. …