Indianapolis, IN
East side Wawa rejected under transit-friendly Indianapolis laws, but fight could continue
Proposed Indianapolis Wawa could be blocked for being too car-centric
The convenience store chain Wawa’s expansion into Indiana has hit a snag because of a store design that the city deems too car-centric.
Indianapolis laws that promote dense, walkable development along the city’s three bus rapid transit routes survived their latest test against a formidable opponent: Wawa.
The beloved Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain has been wrangling with the city for months to continue its recent expansion into Indiana with a new store on East Washington Street near Shadeland Avenue. The Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner on Oct. 23 sided with city planning staff, who objected to Wawa’s plans to build a car-centric site in the corridor where IndyGo’s Blue Line bus route will open in 2028.
City planners and east side neighbors criticized Wawa’s plans to build more than 60 parking spaces and a dozen gas pumps, saying they would only add to the unsightly sprawl that dominates East Washington today. Planning staff pushed Wawa to follow transit-oriented development laws the city passed in 2021 to limit the number of gas pumps and parking spaces allowed within 1,000 feet of BRT routes.
“It’s my opinion that the standards of (transit-oriented development) do need to be upheld, so for that reason I am going to recommend denial,” Hearing Examiner Judy Weerts Hall said Thursday afternoon.
Wawa supporters argue that it’s absurd to turn away a renowned company at a site that’s currently an underused parking lot. The company sought to build a gas station and convenience store at 7140 and 7142 E. Washington St., next door to the Get Fit Athletic Club and an auto shop.
Wawa has a week to appeal the hearing examiner’s ruling before a vote by the full MDC on Nov. 19. Barnes & Thornburg attorney Joseph Calderon, who is representing Wawa, said his client has not decided whether to file an appeal.
Why transit-oriented development turned away Wawa
Indy’s transit-oriented development laws discourage buildings with spacious parking lots set back far from the road, like gas stations and chain restaurants, and require that storefronts be closer to the street with plenty of windows. Gas stations are generally banned within 600 feet of a bus rapid transit stop.
The proposed Wawa store would sit about 1,000 feet from the Sadlier Drive Blue Line station, so it could have been built with certain restrictions. But Wawa refused to meet the city’s demands to build only eight gas pumps and half the number of parking spaces. Wawa representative Patrick Moon said those demands were not “financially viable.”
Wawa critics say the Indianapolis City-County Council enacted the transit laws to keep a promise to Marion County voters, who approved a higher income tax for themselves in 2016 because they wanted fast, reliable public transit that passes close by their homes. Allowing developers to bypass those standards now would undermine the voters, they say.
“We need more housing density and mixed-use development, and all this gas station is is more of the same kind of development that has been bankrupting and blighting the area,” said east side resident Jakob Morales, a Central Indiana Cycling advocate who opposed Wawa during the hearing. “It does not contribute to (solving) the housing and homelessness crisis.”
City-County Councilor Andy Nielsen, who represents that strip of East Washington Street, also spoke in opposition to the Wawa. While acknowledging that Wawa is a quality company with popular hoagies and specialty drinks, “at the end of the day it’s another fueling station,” he said.
Nielsen’s east side constituents oppose that because there are already about two dozen gas stations within a two-mile radius of the site, according to city staff. Other groups who filed opposition letters to Wawa included IndyGo, the Irvington Community Council and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The case in favor of Wawa
Wawa supporters said it’s unrealistic to hope that strict development laws will spur more investment along East Washington Street. The proposed Wawa site sits between a cloverleaf interchange and Interstate 465, an area replete with huge parking lots that holds little appeal for pedestrians.
Calderon noted that an average of 21,000 vehicles drive down that section of Washington Street each day, according to state traffic data. Daily IndyGo ridership on Route 8, which travels the same path, pales in comparison. He said that disparity shows a clear demand for a gas station and convenience store concept — not walkable development.
“This is a suburban area that happens to be planned to be served by bus rapid transit. Fantastic. We are not trying to fight that, we’re not arguing with it. We want to serve those customers,” Calderon said. “But here’s the deal: No matter what anyone says about this degrading the Blue Line, it does not.”
Ron Phillips, president of the Warren Township Development Association, supported the Wawa because he expected the store to bring 24-30 good jobs in an area where business investment has lagged for the past four decades. Wawa is known to pay for continuing education for its employees, Phillips added.
Despite the setback, Wawa has already opened eight locations in Indiana this year, with plans to build up to 60 statewide.
Wawa’s lone Indianapolis location, on 96th Street near Keystone Avenue, opened this summer. New Central Indiana locations include those in Cumberland, Brownsburg, Plainfield and Westfield.
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09
Indianapolis, IN
Philip Rivers by the numbers: Age, passing yards, days between games, Hall of Fame, children, 44-year-old quarterbacks
Why the Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to their practice squad
Insider Joel A. Erickson recaps the Colts signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers.
Philip Rivers has joined the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad in the wake of injuries to Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson. Leonard (knee) is questionable for NFL Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks is uncertain, while Jones (Achilles) and Richardson (eye) are out. Brett Rypien is also on the practice squad.
Here are a dozen numbers related to the new Colts quarterback.
Philip Rivers by the numbers
- 63,440: Career passing yards for Philip Rivers, 7th most in NFL history. The Rams’ Matthew Stafford is 277 yards behind Rivers.
- 2026: Year Philip Rivers is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (he is a semifinalist). If Rivers is signed to the active roster, that clock resets. Players must be 5 years removed from being active to be considered for the Hall.
- 1,800: Days from Jan. 9, 2021 — the last time Philip Rivers played — and Sunday, Dec. 14, when the Colts visit the Seattle Seahawks.
- 421: Career touchdown passes for Philip Rivers, 6th most in NFL history.
- 44: Philip Rivers’ age; he’s older than Colts coach Shane Steichen (40).
- 23: Age of Philip Rivers’ oldest daughter, Halle.
- 23: Age of Colts quarterback Riley Leonard.
- 17: Philip Rivers’ NFL seasons, from 2004-20.
- 10: Number of children Philip Rivers has.
- 4: 44-year-olds to start at QB in the NFL — Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon, Steve DeBerg.
- 2: Weeks removed from coaching high school football for Philip Rivers.
- 1: Number of grandchildren Philip Rivers has.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis City-County Council’s Vop Osili announces departure from council presidency
INDIANAPOLIS — The president of the Indianapolis City-County Council announced that he will not seek re-election after the end of his current term.
According to a news release, City-County Council President Vop Osili will continue to serve as the council president until the end of his term. After that, Osili shared his plans not to be considered for re-election to reprise the role. Instead, Osili will continue serving as a councilor.
Osili has served on the council since 2011 and as its president for the last eight years.
“Serving as Council President has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Osili said. “This
decision comes after deep reflection. Stepping back from the presidency allows me to focus
my energy where it’s most needed and continue serving our city with the same commitment
that has guided my work from the beginning.”
Osili represents District 12, which covers parts of downtown Indy and the near west side, including IUPUI’s campus. In addition to his role as council president, Osili also serves as the chairman of the council’s Rules & Public Policy Committee and the Community Affairs Committee.
Osili said he would have more to share about his next steps soon.
“I will have more to share soon,” Osili said. “For now, my focus remains on the day-to-day work our neighbors count on us to do.”
Indianapolis, IN
A first look: Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis expansion set to open Spring 2026
INDIANAPOLIS — Big changes are coming to the near south side of Indianapolis in the new year.
The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi) expansion is set to open May 1, 2026.
WATCH FULL STORY BELOW
Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis expansion set to open Spring 2026
The cultural campus, located in the Garfield Park and Bean Creek neighborhoods, consists of the CAMi main building, the Tube Gallery (formerly Tube Factory art space), and a public green space and art park.
“We’re looking at CAMi as art in a really broad sense. You get culinary arts, performing arts, you can a concert or a play. It’s also a space where you can have conferences,” Executive Director of Big Car Collaborative Jim Walker said.
This $7 million renovation transforms a 125-year-old former dairy barn and industrial space into a 40,000 square foot hub for art, performance, food, sound and creative enterprise.
“When we came here in 2015, before we bought this property, half the houses were vacant. These two factories were vacant,” Walker said. “It went from this sort of forgotten, somewhat falling-down houses that were boarded up to this totally different place that’s really vibrant and definitely an anchor for the south side.”
The five-acre campus also includes 18 homes for long-term and visiting resident artists.
One of those artists, Rob Funkhouser, says Big Car has been fundamentally life-changing.
“When they started this affordable housing program, I was able to buy into a situation where, as long as I care to keep working, I know that my housing costs won’t go up,” Funkhouser said. “Being able to keep cost of living low and keep costs down allow artists to focus on their medium more often.”
Funkhouser says the CAMi expansion will further enrich the neighborhood he calls home.
“This feels like we’re settling in and growing up a bit,” he said.
Garfield Park Neighbors Association President Rich Whitney agrees.
He’s excited for what the expansion will bring in 2026.
“The first ten years for GPNA has been about getting our footing, getting our neighbors involved, having events, connecting with the neighbors. This second phase is really gonna be about economic development, trying to pull people from Bean Creek and Garfield Park together,” Whitney said.
WRTV
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Nico Pennisi is the In Your Community reporter for Downtown Indy. He joined WRTV in October 2022. His passion has always been telling the stories of people who often get overlooked. Share your story ideas and important issues with Nico by emailing him at nico.pennisi@wrtv.com.
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