Dear Indy,
Today’s lead article comes from local government reporter Peter Blanchard, who recently visited the Northwest Landing neighborhood to listen to concerns from several residents about a housing development.
Here’s how the story begins:
When Maunah Wadud saw the designs for Canal Village, she was excited that someone was investing in her neighborhood.
She and her neighbors went to several community meetings where the Indianapolis-based developer, BWI LLC, shared what Wadud and others considered to be tasteful home designs that matched the aesthetic of the historic Northwest Landing neighborhood.
The 37-unit project also offered low-income residents a chance at home ownership; if a resident rented the property for 15 consecutive years, they would own it outright.
But when the houses started popping up about two years later, Wadud noticed they didn’t match the renderings. Some houses had two-toned siding, which wasn’t in the designs. There were no wrap-around porches, and the homes weren’t being professionally landscaped as promised.
“They built what we consider to be Cracker Jack, shotgun houses,” said Wadud, 74.
In response, some local residents, business owners and community organizers are asking city officials to prevent BWI from starting the next phase of Canal Village, which would involve the purchase of 33 additional lots from the city’s landbank on top of the 37 purchased for the first phase of the project.
BWI was awarded $1.2 million in tax credits for the next phase, but its fate hinges on the city’s approval.
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In other news
- Don’t let the name fool you: The Country Club Pines neighborhood needed some serious work. Roads and sidewalks were in rough shape, like they are across the city. But now the neighborhood is getting some attention thanks to $25 million allocated for neighborhood road repairs this year.
- IPS wants all middle schoolers to take college visits. “There’s a lot of research that shows that if a middle school-aged child is able to have access or get onto a college campus, then there is a significant increase in them feeling like it’s an attainable option,” said Lori Hart, IPS’ K-8 elementary and middle school counseling coordinator.
- On Wednesday, Martin University will host a reentry resource fair where attendees can get connected with needed services and hear a keynote talk from Keidrain Brewster, who was formerly incarcerated in Texas and now owns a truck company. “Today’s inmate is tomorrow’s neighbor, tomorrow’s employee, tomorrow’s coworker,” he said.
What’s going on around the city
- Friday, April 26: The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd., is hosting the Indy Gay Market from 4-8 p.m. LGBT+ artists and vendors will be selling their work — including transition journals from event host Kaleidoscope Indy. Free.
- Saturday, April 27: Since 2016, Metazoa Brewing Co. has donated $300,000 to various animal rights organizations. To celebrate this achievement, the brewery, located at 140 S. College Ave., will host live music, an artisan and vendor market and beer specials from 1-6 p.m. Free.
- Saturday, April 27: The Current State Music and Arts Festival will be held from 2-8 p.m. at the Tube Factory Artspace, 1125 Cruft St. Hosted by Tube Factory and Big Car Collaborative, the festival includes live performances from music technology students at Herron School of Art and Design, a student art sale, a guest DJ and more. Free.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- Indianapolis Business Journal: Small Victories Hospitality is going through some changes which will result in the closure of two spaces, Chalet in Butler-Tarkington and Landlocked Baking Company in Irvington, and new operators in two others.
- Washington Post: Indiana legislators weren’t the only state lawmakers to recently strip protections from school librarians against a fervor of book banning; it’s also happening in several other conservative-led states.
Resources
Ever wondered who those nice folks are who work the Election Day voting centers?
Well, they’re just regular people like you and me.
You can do it, too, and make a little extra cash. Just as important: You can facilitate the mechanisms of democracy.
Our latest resource guide contains all the details.
We have more resources on our website. Find them here.
Reflections
Cue Gob’s soundtrack! Tonight is the final debate among the Republican candidates for governor — though it’ll be missing U.S. Sen. Mike Braun. It starts at 7 p.m. Details here.
See you tomorrow.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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