12.06.2023

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Today’s Forecast

42º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:51 a.m. | Sunset 5:20 p.m.

Here’s what got the stamp of approval

Here’s what the Indianapolis City-County Council approved this week

Aerial rendering of the Indy Eleven stadium development

We’re especially loving the modern bridge design in this rendering. | Rendering via Keystone Group

The Indianapolis City-County Council has been busy this week with meetings and hearings, so we’re breaking down everything our city leaders have given the green light.

Downtown taxing district

City-County Council voted to approve a new district fee on Mile Square business and residential property owners, which aims to clean up the city’s streets and reduce homelessness. The plan would raise an estimated $5.5 million annually + the district would start collecting fees from property owners in the spring of 2025 tax payments.

Professional sports development area

The council voted to allow the city to proceed with establishing a professional sports development area (PSDA) to partially pay for the new 20,000-seat soccer stadium for Indy Eleven. The district would collect various taxes to cover a portion of the cost for the $1.5 billion Eleven Park development.

Broad Ripple Family Center

The council voted to authorize up to $26 million in principal bonds, allowing the city to move forward with its plan to acquire the new Broad Ripple Park Family Center. The city’s goal of taking full control of the property is to avoid shelling out nearly $1 million per year as part of a long-term lease agreement with BR Health, which will go into effect if the city fails to close on the acquisition by Jan. 3.

Rendering of Old City Hall redevelopment and new tower — The new mixed-use tower will take over a parking lot next to Old City Hall.
|
Rendering via City of Indianapolis

Bonds for downtown redevelopment

The council voted to authorize $18 million in tax-increment revenue bonds as part of a city incentive package to support the redevelopment of Old City Hall. Leaders also voted to approve $37 million in bonds to demolish the former Jail I building and renovate portions of the City-County Building.

City’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

City leaders have voted to move forward with a proposal to study AI and how it can be used to make several city services — like public safety and communications — more efficient. The city intends to take the next several months to study AI and explore its pros and cons before rolling out its plans in July.

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 6

Holidays Full Circle | Wednesday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Circle Centre Mall, 49 W. Maryland St., Ste. 101, Indianapolis | Free | Visit each one of the must-see holiday scenes and answer questions to receive one free admission to the Indiana Historical Society’s Festival of Trees.

Thursday, Dec. 7

Jingle & Mingle Holiday Luncheon and Style Show | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Ritz Charles, 12156 Meridian St., Carmel | $80+ | Enjoy a holiday luncheon with a silent auction + vendors to benefit the philanthropic programs of Assistance League of Indianapolis.
Merry Quizmas | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 6-10 p.m. | Plat 99 at The Alexander, 333 S. Delaware St., Indianapolis | Free | Gather friends and family for a jolly evening of holiday-themed trivia, promising hours of cheerful competition.

Friday, Dec. 8

Cirque Dreams Holidaze | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $33-$103 | See a cast of holiday storybook characters come to life in an elaborate wonderland, invoking the stories behind a child’s eye as they dream on the most magical of nights.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Brew Ho Ho Ho 5K | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 10:30 a.m. | Half Liter BBQ, 5301 Winthrop Ave., Ste. B, Indianapolis | $45 | Run or walk on the Monon Trail and finish with Santa’s famous brew.

Sunday, Dec. 31

Midnight | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis | $125-$175 | Start the year with this one-of-a-kind party at Newfields — with access to all of the IMA Galleries and Winterlights, guests can explore the campus like never before.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Family

Jingle all the way to Christmas at the Zoo

This is the 55th annual Christmas at the Zoo event. | Photo by Erik Markov

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Indy. Experience Christmas at the Zoo every day through Saturday, Dec. 30, and:

Explore the whimsical Santa’s Village
Meet Santa in his study + bake cookies with Mrs. Claus
See Santa’s reindeer and get up close with nightly Penguin Encounters
Watch arctic foxes, bears, sea lions, seals, tigers + red pandas stay out late and enjoy their native weather

Christmas at the Zoo festivities run Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., and 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The event is included with regular admission. The Indianapolis Zoo opens at 2 p.m.

Meet your new family tradition

News Notes

Transit

Hop on. IndyGo announced it will offer fare-free service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve after 8 p.m. Fixed route + IndyGo Access services will follow Sunday schedules on Christmas Day. New Year’s Eve will follow regular schedules.

Open

Freddy’s — known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers, shoestring fries, and custard — is celebrating the grand opening of its second Indianapolis location today at 8235 E. 96th St. in front of Meijer.

Closing

Scarlet Lane Brewing announced on social media that this Saturday, Dec. 9 will be the last day of operation at its Bellefontaine Street + College Avenue locations. It will be offering beer and pizza while supplies last. Its McCordsville, Irvington, and Beech Grove locations will remain open.

Concert

Raise your glass. Fresh off a sold-out show last month, Pink announced she’ll be returning to Indianapolis for an even bigger show next year. Pink will perform at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, Oct. 12 as part of her Summer Carnival 2024 Tour. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 11. (IndyStar)

Sports

During the Colts’ AFC South divisional road victory Sunday, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught the game-winning 4-yard touchdown pass — passing Colts legend Marvin Harrison (311) for most receptions by a Colts player in his first four seasons. Pittman Jr. has 314 receptions. (WISH)

Trending

Maybe you’ve seen her on TikTok. Lisa Beasley (aka Corporate Erin), a comedian from Gary, Indiana, is highlighting the annoyances endured by people confined to their 9-5 and is going viral for giving voice to the cringe-worthy corporate quirks we’ve all witnessed. (WTHR)

Shop

Health.com called this vibrator the “Rolls Royce Of Sex Toys” — and it’s also clinically proven to improve arousal and alleviate dryness. Get it for 30% off ahead of the holidays.*

Finance

There’s cash back, and then there’s unlimited 1.5% cash back. This card has that, plus a $200 bonus and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Oh, and did we mention the annual fee? No — because there isn’t one.) Learn more + apply.*

Hoosier

🤳 Indy-fluencers

Hoosiers who did some big things this year

INDY_Hang Time Hometown Colts collection_NOV2023

Mike G. was the creative director for the Hang Time x Colts: Hometown collection + aimed for a retro style with a twist. | Photo by @jaygoldz via @hangtimeindy

We love our city, so we love to see Hoosiers with a large platform who are doing big things + also showing off that they’re from Indiana.

Here are a few people from the Indy area who made headlines locally and globally.

Mike G.

What hasn’t he done? Local influencer, designer, and business owner Mike G. has made a name for himself in Indianapolis — from designing the Hometown collection for the Colts to opening a storefront at The Stutz for his brand WDRFA (We Don’t Run From Adversity). He’s even made his own wine with Daniel’s Vineyard, which you can try at the holiday pop-up on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Kathleen Post

This local fashion and lifestyle influencer, with more than 436,000 followers on Instagram, is a central Indiana native and IU grad who partnered with Abercrombie & Fitch on a fall clothing line that featured her designs worldwide. She also just launched a jewelry collection with brand Electric Picks — just in time for the holidays.

Know of another Hoosier doing cool things? Give them a shoutout.

2 Hoosiers on the national stage

The Buy

The Buy 12.06.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Anything on sale for Six & Main’s Deal of the Day. Each day, unlock a new deal on a specialty, locally-made item. Today’s deal? Get 20% off our earring collection.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicole

From the editor

If you’re a sucker for Netflix reality shows like me, check out “Surviving Paradise,” which premiered back in October. One of the contestants is from Indianapolis — and they may or may not cause some drama on the show.

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