Georgia Street...

...while it still is.  This morning’s paper carries an article, on page B1, with some statements bordering on unbelievable.  What we’re talking about here is a project, costing $12.5 million dollars, which will turn 3 blocks of a 4-lane street into a 2-lane street with a pedestrian mall down the middle.  All for the sole purpose of impressing some visitors to the city next February.  And to add to the incredible, some folks want to re-name that short section of street.  But here is what we’re being told.

"Ballard spokesman Marc Lotter said the goal is to create a ‘signature’ name for the mall that would be recognized nationally, even internationally."  This gentleman apparently thinks 3 blocks of an Indianapolis downtown street should outshine Hollywood’s Rodeo Drive, Chicago’s Michigan Avenue Magic Mile and New York’s Fifth Avenue.

In further evidence of living in La La Land, he offers this comment.  "This will be a new gathering place, a civic institution, like Monument Circle, so we want to market it."

We don’t know the gentleman being quoted.  Nor do we know how long he has been around town.  But we do have to wonder if he has ever heard the predictions about how many thousands of visitors Union Station was going to bring.  Maybe the mayor should assign him a research job finding out just how much money that pipe dream has cost - and is still costing - the city.  (Now, that figure should be publicized!)

And speaking of money, another story in this morning’s paper, page A1, tells us of major traffic problems caused by the closing of a dangerous Ohio River bridge needing immediate repairs.  This apparently is one of hundreds of such potential "transportation" problems.

The connection comes because the Georgia Street project, we understand, is being financed with "transportation" funds.  Has anyone tried to determine what a few of those Georgia Street millions might have done for real local transportation problems?  Like IndyGo?

But what the hell.  While you’re lazing on the new mall, produced with $10 million in federal funds, put those idle minutes to use.  Pull out your laptop, and tell your congressman you demand those budget cuts.

Comments

[Leslie Baker]

How does the mayor not see what it would do to a business to have to change its address? How would he like someone to tell him, "hey, the name of your street is changing on a whim, and you have no say in the matter? Have fun updating everyone you know." What is wrong with these people who are so fixated on the Super Bowl that it's the only thing they can see, and nothing around or beyond it?

[Paul K. Ogden]

The Mayor was ordered to support the name change. He takes orders, not gives them.

[Brad Nemeth]

I know Marc Lotter - he's not exactly what I would call a plesant person. He's been in Indy for years. He used to work for WRTV, and went to work for Mitch Daniels' 2004 campaign. After, he was given a press secretary job in the governor's office. In 2008, he was the press secretary for the McCain/Palin Indiana 2008 campaign.

After needing a job, he was given the Indiana Department of Workforce Development press secretary job as a "Broad Band Executive" (making over $80,000/year, quite a bit more than the previous press secretary). They also created a deputy press secretary below him (who used to work in the Republican caucus and is the current DWD PS). She was the only person he had to supervise, and of course now the deputy PS is a permanent thing. He was also made the IOSHA PS simultaneously later and given about a $4K raise. His wife also happened to get a job at DWD. The current DWD PS makes about $20K/year less than he did.

Last year he bolted the sinking ship that is DWD to join the sinking ship that is Ballard (earning about $95K/year). Mr. Lotter lied most admirably at DWD, and appears to be again with the mayor.

By the way, very nice article (especially pointing-out infrastructure problems vs. the new street's unnecessary new "improvements"). Keep Georgia Street!

[HadEnoughIndy]

good post - It might be useful to note that the $12.5 million price tag began at $4 million. It bloated to its current level specifically at the design direction of the superbowl host committee. They turned the bill over to the City, who gladly accepted it. So, three fourths of the dollars really were not necessary for the project at all. But, its what the NFL wants, so its what we get to pay for.