Yesterday the city of New Albany announced a preliminary deal to incentivize an Indianapolis investor to construct "upscale" residential buildings on the former Coyle property. The story itself can be found at the News and Tribune, so take it from Daniel. I'll begin what is sure to be an animated chat by focusing on the image used to accompany the story, and leave the dissection until we know how much this is going to cost us.
To be succinct, this is not the building planned for New Albany. Michigan Street is in Indianapolis, hence the following exchange with Mike Kopp on Twitter. I really appreciate Mike replying to my questions. Most City Hall denizens don't.
Kopp: New Downtown Apartments (photo as above)
Baylor: But the view is in Indy, right? A bit misleading. Is there a drawing of the NA project?
Kopp: They were not expecting to do a press release so soon but provided the rendering as it is similar to what they have planned.
Baylor: Thanks. My opinion: Drawing does harm to Speck street advocacy by showing a one-way street. Avoidable error.
Kopp: But again they did not anticipate the City press release. I'm sure actual renderings will follow upon review & approval.
And then this:
Baylor: But let's go a step further: What is the developer's stance on streets? Interstates or Specks?
Kopp: I can't speak for the developer but I believe they found 2 way more favorable I would imagine public discussion by summer.
This is not something that will create permanent jobs, it's more smoke and mirrors to make gahan look like a job creator, also what about an environmental impact study. I can guarantee this project will cause more storm water runoff that the antiquated downtown storm sewers can not handle. Focus on helping existing businesses and industry expand Dough Boy, you are taking the typical easy way out with swimming pools, apartments (I.E) white elephants that the average low info voter you are counting on to stumble back into office.
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