Inside INdiana Business is reporting that the city of Indianapolis has announced a $190 million investment in a wide-ranging list of public facilities, including improvements to parks, construction of new public safety facilities, and a major upgrade for animal care services. Mayor Joe Hogsett says the first phase of his Circle City Forward initiative is designed to jumpstart the economy and drive public investment into neighborhoods.
Hogsett says the effort will power the city’s comeback from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This $190 million package will improve services for all residents of Indianapolis. But there’s also important value in this for our local economy as well. Together these transformative projects will create quality jobs and will keep Indianapolis working,” said Hogsett.
The mayor says the program will be financed by offsetting the expiring Pension Relief Fund property tax levy with the County Cumulative Capital Development Fund tax levy. Hogsett says the 2005 Pension Relief bonds are scheduled to be paid off this year.
“With our county cumulative capital development levy. We will fund the construction of major public facilities while decreasing the average tax burden for Indianapolis homeowners,” said Hogsett.
Among the proposed projects:
- New Youth and Family Services Center: $40 million
- New forensics crime lab: $30 million
- Upgrades to coroner facility: $16 million
- New fire station in Broad Ripple neighborhood: $7.5 million
- New solid waste garage: $9 million
- New Animal care services facility: $18 million
- Upgrades to Frederick Douglass Park & Family Center: $20 million
- Improvements to Riverside, Krannert and Grassy Creek Parks: $25 million (combined)
“This $190 million package is an opportunity to act on priorities councillors have heard from constituents, with development that impacts our neighborhoods, boosts our local economy and improves the quality of life and delivery of city services for our residents,” said City-County Council President Vop Osili.
Hogsett says the Circle City Forward program will open up opportunities for minority and women-owned contractors.
“These projects, the ones that we are announcing today, will be an important part of furthering our commitment to equitable and fair contracting,” said Hogsett.
The mayor says the program will be introduced to the Indianapolis City-County Council Monday night. On Tuesday, City Controller Ken Clark will deliver a presentation on the initiative to the City-County Council Administration & Finance Committee meeting.