The Indianapolis City Market is right across the street from the City-County Building. | Photo by INDYtoday team
There’s a lot happening in Indianapolis — and we know it can be hard to keep up with everything.
We’re sharing some top civic and development news making headlines today to help you stay in the loop.
City-County Council advances jail demolition + building improvements
On Tuesday, a City-County Council committee voted to approve $37 million in bonds to demolish a former jail + renovate portions of the City-County Building.
The bond proposal will be considered by the full City-County Council at its Dec. 4 meeting, then by the bond bank on Dec. 18.
IPS board approves new teacher contract
The Indianapolis Public Schools board voted to approve a new two-year labor contract that gives teachers an average of 3% in raises.
The contract bumps starting pay to $51,900 in 2023-24 + raises it again to $53,460 in 2024-25. Teachers will also receive two floating holidays each school year.
This expansion will bring the total number of hotel rooms connected via climate-controlled skywalks in Indianapolis to more than 5,500 — more than any other city in the country.
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Rendering by RATIO Architects via Indiana Convention Center
City prepares for bond sales for Signia hotel, convention center projects
The city will be responsible for paying off the bonds with interest + it plans to use revenue generated by the hotel to pay off the debt.
Neighborhood groups oppose city’s plan to acquire Broad Ripple Park Family Center
Several neighborhood groups are planning to oppose the city’s plan to spend up to $26 million to acquire the new Broad Ripple Park Family Center, which opened in January after nearly two years of construction.
The city planned to purchase the building within a year of its opening. This week, City-County Council and the Metropolitan Development Commission are beginning the process of hearing a resolution to authorize bonds for the purchase.
Frozen Touring | Thursday, Nov. 16-Sunday, Nov. 26 | Times vary | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $55-$85 | Let it go and see the hit Disney movie as a Broadway musical.
Third Thursdays at Stutz | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 5-9 p.m. | The Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | Wander through the Stutz Artists Open Studios, check out the businesses offering food and drinks, and shop among 30 vintage + handmade vendors.
Friday, Nov. 17
Build Your Technology and Computer Skills | Friday, Nov. 17 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Central Library, 40 E. Saint Clair St., Indianapolis | Free | Build your technology skills by taking an assessment to develop a custom learning plan to be successful and meet your goals.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Friday, Nov. 17 | Times vary | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $15.50-$18.50 | Experience the story of “The Hunger Games” — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical President of Panem.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Morning Bird Hike | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 9 a.m. | Williams Park, 940 E. Locust Ln., Brownsburg | Free | Join a naturalist on an early morning stroll through various Brownsburg Park trails.
Sunday, Nov. 19
Indy Fuel vs. Toledo Walleye | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 4 p.m. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $20-$48 | Join the Fuel for family fun and Kids Eat Free Day as they take on the Toledo Walleye — plus enjoy a free post-game skate with the team.
Saturday, Nov. 25
Whoville Hideaway at the HC | Saturday, Nov. 25-Tuesday, Dec. 26 | 4 p.m. | The HC Tavern + Kitchen, 9709 E. 116th St., Fishers | Free | An immersive Whoville Hideaway awaits inside HC Tavern + Kitchen this holiday season where movies come to life with Grinch-themed bites + drinks, photo ops, and more.*
Cafe Patachou’s newest location is celebrating its grand opening at The Stutz today. It will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. + weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cafe features a private dining and meeting space and seats ~75 people in the main dining room. Take a look.
Community
Pantry 279, The Mozel Sanders Foundation, and Wheeler Mission are all getting ready to serve thousands of meals to local families this Thanksgiving. All three organizations could still use donations, whether that’s time, money, or food. Read more. (WRTV)
Number
80 out of 100. That’s Indy’s score for the Human Rights Campaign’s 2023 Municipal Equality Index, which dives into municipal laws and how inclusive they are of LGBTQ+ people. In case you missed it, that’s the same score as last year.
Announced
Comedian Kevin James, known for his roles in “Grown-Ups” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” is coming to Clowes Memorial Hall on Sunday, June 16. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow. (WRTV)
Plan Ahead
For the first time since the pandemic, the Athenaeum Foundation will host its Karneval gala on Saturday, Jan. 27. This year’s masquerade ball will also double as a celebration of the Athenaeum’s 125th anniversary, featuring appetizers, entertainment, and two signature drinks. Get tickets.
Sports
Pacers forward Jalen Smith’s status for Indy’s game Sunday against Orlando is up in the air, after he took a shoulder to the head in Tuesday night’s game against Philadelphia. He’s averaging 11 points and six rebounds a game so far this season. (WISH)
Cause
Best-One of Indy is stocking the shelves at local food pantries with their November Spread the Love: Wipe out Hunger foodraiser. Visit one of their 14 Central Indiana locations, bring in a jar of peanut butter or jelly, and get a free pair of Valvoline wiper blades (installation included; limit one pair per customer) now through Tuesday, Nov. 28, or while supplies last.*
A miniature replica of the Indianapolis skyline is just one scene you can see recreated in Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum | Photo via INDYtoday team
The holidays are almost here and if you’re hosting out-of-town guests in Indy but aren’t sure where to take them or what sights to see, we’ve got plenty of recommendations for you to build the perfect itinerary for your visitors.
See a kid-friendly show at the Old National Centre — Frozen (Touring) is here until Sunday, Nov. 26 + Straight No Chaser’s Sleighin’ It Tour is here Dec. 21-23.
Load up the car and spend the afternoon exploring Christmas at the Zoo — nominated for USA Today’s 10 Best Zoo Lights.
Indoor activities
Temps this time of year can get pretty low, so spend a day exploring Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum or Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum to stay warm.
Whenever I’m playing tour guide to someone new to Indy, I have to take them to the Bottleworks District or to check out an event at The Stutz. There’s so much to do in Indy, especially around the holidays.
Send your visitors our events calendar in advance to get a feel for what kinds of things they’ll want to see + do while in town.
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