Archive for the ‘Current Events’ Category
Week 3 Bridge Photos
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
What if there was a roundabout at West 79th and Lafayette Road?
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
As a resident at this intersection I am amazed at how inefficiently this intersection functions. Moore Road, 79th Street, and Lafayette Road all converge in this three-way mess of roads. One possible solution that I played with in my mind was a roundabout intersection. Of course I have no engineering background and I doubt if this is the proper design, but here’s a stab at what it might look like. I think this could dramatically improve the flow of traffic through the intersection if properly designed. It would probably not displace any property other than the difficult to use farm triangle in the northeast corner of Lafayette and Moore Road.
Bridge – Week 2
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
End of Week one images Lafayette Rd. Bridge
Saturday, March 28th, 2009March 06, 2009
Is the city backtracking on bridge bike lanes?
This morning’s Star article infers the bike lanes promised for the bridge over Eagle Creek may be deleted. That’s a slap in the face to cyclists. Both sides of Lafayette Road from Eagle Creek Park on the south to the Boone County line on the north have shoulders designated for cyclists. Renamed the Gordon Gilmer Bike Trail, this four-mile system passes over the bridge in both directions so the bridge absolutely must have wide shoulders too. Cyclists don’t like being suddenly steered into vehicle traffic lanes for obvious reasons!
Gordon Gilmer was an Indianapolis City Council member from District 1. Elected for the first time in 1971 and re‑elected for six additional terms, he helped Pike Township (and Indianapolis) grow and improve. He was chairman of the City County Council Parks Committee for many years and realized how parks impact the quality of life in urban and suburban areas. He chaired the Transportation Committee and he and I had one opportunity to work together (with great results). At the time we built our home near the intersection at Lafayette and Moore Roads in 1989, Lafayette Road traffic did not have to stop at Moore Road. Speeds at the intersection were frequently over 70 miles per hour thanks to a wide four lane roadway that had previously been United States Highway 52. One day, while picking up the mail, I witnessed a spectacular crash at the intersection. After calling 911 I grabbed a camera, took pictures of the crash, and sent them to Councilor Gilmer accompanied by a plea for a traffic study at the intersection. He complied and within a year we saw the installation of a three-way stop at the intersection, accompanied by flashing red lights (which annoy me a little bit but do add to the safety). In fact, so few intersections have flashing red lights that I assume the Transportation Department study revealed just installing stop signs would be insufficient to prevent more bad accidents.
Here’s today’s article. Note my emphasis on the bike lanes.
March 5, 2009
Bridge replacement to close road until end of year
By Gretchen Becker gretchen.becker@indystar.com
Since Monday, eight blocks in a heavily traveled stretch of Lafayette Road have been closed and will remain that way until the end of the year.
The road was closed from 71st to 79th streets to allow for replacement of an aging bridge that crosses Eagle Creek, said Kit Werbe, Department of Public Works spokeswoman. It will be closed until December.
The bridge was built in the 1920s and widened to four lanes in 1935.
The DPW also is working with designers who are considering the possibility of bike lanes across the bridge to complement the current 9-foot shoulders on Lafayette Road, but nothing is set yet, Werbe said.
Eighty percent of the $2.3 million project will be funded with federal dollars. The city will pay for the rest, which is about $460,000.
“I don’t think anybody is opposed to it,” said Susan Blair, president of Pike Township Residents’ Association. “It’s in bad shape.”
Lafayette Road averages 8,000 vehicles per day. DPW projects that 11,500 will use the road each day by 2028.
Drivers are being asked to use I-465 as a detour route between 71st and 86th streets.
posted by Indy Possible at 5:58 AM 5 comments 
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
March 2, 2009 – The first day without the bridge
Fire trucks from Hendricks County blared by my house early this morning. The road closure means that emergency response to the Traders Point area includes a contingent from Brownsburg. Raceway to Fishback, Fishback to Wilson, Wilson to Traders Lane and then north on Lafayette Rd. That should be a comfort to residents and an enhancement to Pike Fire Department’s efforts to reach the area. The bridge is expected to reopen in six months.
Is the city backtracking on bridge bike lanes?
Saturday, March 28th, 2009This morning’s Star article infers the bike lanes promised for the bridge over Eagle Creek may be deleted. That’s a slap in the face to cyclists. Both sides of Lafayette Road from Eagle Creek Park on the south to the Boone County line on the north have shoulders designated for cyclists. Renamed the Gordon Gilmer Bike Trail, this four-mile system passes over the bridge in both directions so the bridge absolutely must have wide shoulders too. Cyclists don’t like being suddenly steered into vehicle traffic lanes for obvious reasons!
Gordon Gilmer was an Indianapolis City Council member from District 1. Elected for the first time in 1971 and re‑elected for six additional terms, he helped Pike Township (and Indianapolis) grow and improve. He was chairman of the City County Council Parks Committee for many years and realized how parks impact the quality of life in urban and suburban areas. He chaired the Transportation Committee and he and I had one opportunity to work together (with great results). At the time we built our home near the intersection at Lafayette and Moore Roads in 1989, Lafayette Road traffic did not have to stop at Moore Road. Speeds at the intersection were frequently over 70 miles per hour thanks to a wide four lane roadway that had previously been United States Highway 52. One day, while picking up the mail, I witnessed a spectacular crash at the intersection. After calling 911 I grabbed a camera, took pictures of the crash, and sent them to Councilor Gilmer accompanied by a plea for a traffic study at the intersection. He complied and within a year we saw the installation of a three-way stop at the intersection, accompanied by flashing red lights (which annoy me a little bit but do add to the safety). In fact, so few intersections have flashing red lights that I assume the Transportation Department study revealed just installing stop signs would be insufficient to prevent more bad accidents.
Here’s today’s article. Note my emphasis on the bike lanes.
March 5, 2009
Bridge replacement to close road until end of year
By Gretchen Becker gretchen.becker@indystar.com
Since Monday, eight blocks in a heavily traveled stretch of Lafayette Road have been closed and will remain that way until the end of the year.
The road was closed from 71st to 79th streets to allow for replacement of an aging bridge that crosses Eagle Creek, said Kit Werbe, Department of Public Works spokeswoman. It will be closed until December.
The bridge was built in the 1920s and widened to four lanes in 1935.
The DPW also is working with designers who are considering the possibility of bike lanes across the bridge to complement the current 9-foot shoulders on Lafayette Road, but nothing is set yet, Werbe said.
Eighty percent of the $2.3 million project will be funded with federal dollars. The city will pay for the rest, which is about $460,000.
“I don’t think anybody is opposed to it,” said Susan Blair, president of Pike Township Residents’ Association. “It’s in bad shape.”
Lafayette Road averages 8,000 vehicles per day. DPW projects that 11,500 will use the road each day by 2028.
Drivers are being asked to use I-465 as a detour route between 71st and 86th streets.
March 2, 2009 – The first day without the bridge
Saturday, March 28th, 2009Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Fire trucks from Hendricks County blared by my house early this morning. The road closure means that emergency response to the Traders Point area includes a contingent from Brownsburg. Raceway to Fishback, Fishback to Wilson, Wilson to Traders Lane and then north on Lafayette Rd. That should be a comfort to residents and an enhancement to Pike Fire Department’s efforts to reach the area. The bridge is expected to reopen in six months.
Cyclists, Kayakers, Canoeists and Lafayette Road Bridge
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
The Department of Public Works held a public meeting last week about the closure of Lafayette Road between March and October 2009 for the reconstruction of the bridge over Eagle Creek. Most of the discussion centered on traffic concerns, fire protection and the lone affected business; Countryside Garden Center. My question centered on the future use of the bridge and the approaching apron and shoulder for uses related to recreation. Currently the Gilmer Bike Trail narrows dangerously on both sides of the bridge, forcing cyclists over the white line and into the path of traffic on the bridge. This problem will be corrected with a much wider shoulder at grade on both sides of the new bridge. Unfortunately nothing is being done to clarify the use of the bridge aprons for parking cars used by kayakers and canoeists or launching their craft. This is a missed opportunity. Over a year ago several representatives from TPAN met with bridge engineers and city representative Bill Chappell to discuss the use of the bridge area for uses related to accessing Eagle Creek. There was consensus that fishing from the bridge was unsafe and would not be tolerated. Those of us who use the bridge on a regular basis for launching kayaks know that it is an ideal spot to put in. Since Eagle Creek Park owns the 10 acres between Eagle Creek and Lafayette Road (north of the bridge) we encouraged the city’s bridge planners meet with their brethren across the aisle at Indy Parks to discuss coordinating use of the parks land for parking launch vehicles and perhaps even assessing a pass fee for parking on the site to defray improvement costs. Nothing came of it of course because Eagle Creek Park and its parent Indy Parks are broke. The bridge engineers were not aware of any planned prohibition of launching post-completion so it is our hope the free and safe use of parking and launching watercraft will be allowed to continue.
Demolition soon for historic Ropkey farmhouse?
Saturday, March 28th, 2009Tuesday, January 13, 2009
This today from a Traders Point neighbor:
“Kite Realty has applied for a demolition permit for the Ropkey farmhouse at 79th and Marsh Road. This property is on the list of historic places. We need publicity. This is really criminal and we must make sure that no federal funding is available for this property going forward. Please help spread the word.”
Cotton-Ropkey House (added 1984 – Building – #84001086) Also known as Ropkey House 6360 W. 79th St., Indianapolis
Historic Significance:
Person, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style:
Italianate, Greek Revival
Historic Person:
Cotton,Isaac
Significant Year:
1850
Area of Significance:
Agriculture, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1850-1874, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
IBJ blog features Cotton Ropkey House
Saturday, March 28th, 2009Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana is racing to save the Cotton-Ropkey House at 79th Street and Marsh Road just west of I-465. The owner of the property, Kite Realty Group, applied for a demolition permit after no one took it up on an offer to sell the house for $1 in exchange for moving it. But the local developer has agreed to give the foundation a little more time to find a way to save the home, which was completed in 1850 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The foundation is looking at a nearby site where it could move the house, said Marsh Davis, the group’s president. If they can get the home moved, they would fix it up, place covenants and resell it. The home’s façade displays characteristics of Greek Revival and Italianate styles, and a staircase features ash treads and a cherry railing. Farmer John Cotton began building the home in 1848 and it stayed in the family until 1937, when the Ropkey family bought it. They owned it until 2004 when Kite bought the 95-acre farm for development. (Photo: L. Mark Finch
tpan meeting
Saturday, March 28th, 2009Tuesday, January 20, 2009
TPAN SPECIAL MEETING Mon. Feb. 9, 2009
TPAN Special Meeting on Monday, Feb. 9th
TPAN (Traders Point Assoc. of Neighborhoods) will hold an important Special Meeting beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9th at the West 86th Homeownerʼs Assoc. Clubhouse. At this meeting, TPAN will host the highest-level officials of IPL (Indianapolis Power & Light) who will address Traders Point neighbors (and anyone else who attends) on the issue of IPLʼs tree trimming practices on private property, where IPL has no right-of-way or easement to trim or cut. IPL currently claims it has the legal authority to trim and cut on private property, even when IPL has no right-of-way or easement. This describes much of the area of Traders Point where IPL cut in 2005 and again this past December. TP neighbor, Jerry Baker, together with citizen activist, Charlie Goodman, have been researching the legal basis for IPLʼs claim, and their findings cast serious doubt on the basis for IPLʼs claim of legal authority to trim and cut on private property. This meeting represents one last opportunity for IPL to respond and negotiate a modified policy with TP neighbors. It is likely that any product from this negotiation will become the basis for future IPL policy across the entire IPL service area. If negotiation fails at this meeting, TPAN is prepared to move forward on this issue using other means.
Please make plans to attend this meeting if you are in anyway affected by this issue. Keep up with our news at our website: www.historictraderspoint.org
While at the website, you may want to offer your opinion in the blog on another issue. TPAN has learned that Kite Realty has applied for a demolition permit for the historic Cotton-Ropkey farmhouse at 79th and Marsh Road. This farmhouse was built in 1848 and is on the National Registry list of historic places. The farmhouse is available for $1 to anyone willing to pay to move the house from Kiteʼs property. Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana has been unsuccessful in locating a buyer. If you have any ideas for saving this historic landmark of the Traders Point area, please register that idea on the blog, or contact a TPAN officer.
Steve Jones
TPAN President
TPAN (Traders Point Assoc. of Neighborhoods) will hold an important Special Meeting beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9th at the West 86th Homeownerʼs Assoc. Clubhouse. At this meeting, TPAN will host the highest-level officials of IPL (Indianapolis Power & Light) who will address Traders Point neighbors (and anyone else who attends) on the issue of IPLʼs tree trimming practices on private property, where IPL has no right-of-way or easement to trim or cut. IPL currently claims it has the legal authority to trim and cut on private property, even when IPL has no right-of-way or easement. This describes much of the area of Traders Point where IPL cut in 2005 and again this past December. TP neighbor, Jerry Baker, together with citizen activist, Charlie Goodman, have been researching the legal basis for IPLʼs claim, and their findings cast serious doubt on the basis for IPLʼs claim of legal authority to trim and cut on private property. This meeting represents one last opportunity for IPL to respond and negotiate a modified policy with TP neighbors. It is likely that any product from this negotiation will become the basis for future IPL policy across the entire IPL service area. If negotiation fails at this meeting, TPAN is prepared to move forward on this issue using other means.
Please make plans to attend this meeting if you are in anyway affected by this issue. Keep up with our news at our website: www.historictraderspoint.org
While at the website, you may want to offer your opinion in the blog on another issue. TPAN has learned that Kite Realty has applied for a demolition permit for the historic Cotton-Ropkey farmhouse at 79th and Marsh Road. This farmhouse was built in 1848 and is on the National Registry list of historic places. The farmhouse is available for $1 to anyone willing to pay to move the house from Kiteʼs property. Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana has been unsuccessful in locating a buyer. If you have any ideas for saving this historic landmark of the Traders Point area, please register that idea on the blog, or contact a TPAN officer.
Steve Jones
TPAN President