Year archives: 2012

Former Irvington Post Office Saved

I was so happy to read this article yesterday on the former Irvington Post Office building, located at the corner Washington and Ritter.  This is excellent news for a building that has been threatened with demolition for years now: Hope everyone has had a safe and restful holiday season.

A Street has 2 Sides

Good urban design recognizes that the street has two sides.  It doesn’t separate people on one side from shops on the other.  Because in a world designed for automotive superiority, streets become barriers much too often. In short, a good street encourages jaywalking.

Irvington Streetscape, Part IV

Last Saturday, I finally had the opportunity to head over to Irvington to view their downtown area now that the major construction on the streetscape project has been completed.  The long-planned project has widened the sidewalks, added medians, and bricked up the main intersections for better pedestrian visibility. Sadly, the project isn’t a 100 percent …

Barton Tower Expansion: Socially Just?

Barton Tower Expansion underway (image credit: Curt Ailes)

Earlier this month, earth began moving on the property of the Barton Tower for what will be be construction of Phase 1 of the infill project surrounding the base of the 21 story monolithic tower that now stands there. Phase 1 of this project will include 61 affordable rate units financed by the sale of …

Fringe Alley Project

The Indy Fringe Festival headquarters at St. Clair and College has undergone a transformation in the past four years. Now finished with the restoration of the long-unloved church building, the organization has not stopped there.  The first project in Phase II was to restore the brick alley (known as Spring Street) to help with drainage …

Greenwood Main Street: Should It Surrender to the Flow?

Earlier in the month, the Indianapolis Star featured an article on the extensive development plans that are materializing for the City of Greenwood, with the goal of turning the historic main street back into a desirable retail destination for locals and visitors.   The southerly suburb’s commercial center sits at the convergence of Main Street and …