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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis brings back proposal for downtown taxing district

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Indianapolis brings back proposal for downtown taxing district


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis city government is trying again to pass an ordinance creating a Downtown Economic Enhancement District.

The city tabled its original plan crafted in 2023, and the state legislature modified the law authorizing the district to exempt multifamily properties including apartment buildings.

Under the revised plan, commercial property owners, excluding nonprofits, would pay into district.

Taylor Schaffer, president and chief executive officer of Downtown Indy Inc., said Tuesday the revenue would help the city keep the sprawling downtown area clean and safe, and address homelessness. “It would also work to prioritize cleanliness, beautification, how downtown feels, what the experience of downtown is, how downtown feels cared for, that’s things like graffiti-removal power washing, picking up trash.”

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The new proposal creates a larger footprint than the previous plan. The taxing district would expand from I-70 south to South Street, the combined I-65/I-70 route as the eastern boundary, and Blackford Street to the west.

“The fee is based on the assessed value of each property. The City-County Council wants to ensure that there is a cap on that rate, and that rate will reflect the assessed value,” Schaffer said.

Rob Strong’s Whistle Stop Inn, a bar and restaurant, falls within the boundaries of the proposed Economic Enhancement District. He said he’s not pleased at the idea of paying another fee on top of the taxes he already pays, “especially when you are doing construction that is lasting three years and starting another project.

“As you see right now, there is construction all on my street. Illinois Street is shut down. I lose revenue over that.”

Strong said he’s not sure why more tax money is needed to keep downtown clean and safe. “I’m don’t know the solution, but I don’t think taxing business owners is the way to go.”

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Supporters say if Indianapolis wants to keep hosting large-scale events such as this year’s U.S. Olympics Team Trials for swimming and the NBA All-Star Game, then the city is going to need help with keeping downtown a hospitable place.

Schaffer said, “These would be services that are above and beyond what the city is able to offer on their own, and I think indicative of the unique nature of downtown. Downtown hosts bigger events. Downtown has far greater foot traffic.”

The council’s Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. July 15 at the City-County Building. The full council could hear the proposal in August.

Schaffer said, if passed, the tax would take effect in the spring.

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Indianapolis, IN

State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks

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State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.

29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.

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Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.

Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.

Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.

In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.

Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.

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Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.

Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.



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Indianapolis, IN

Where to find cooling stations in central Indiana

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Where to find cooling stations in central Indiana


INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is under a heat advisory with temperatures in the 90s throughout the week.

Many cooling centers will open throughout the state for those that need to find relief from the heat. Hoosiers looking to find cooling centers in their area can contact Indiana 211. To learn more, call 211 or (866) 211-9966.

Avaliable cooling centers can also be found by clicking here.

Marion County

For those living in Indianapolis, Indy Parks has several cooling centers across the city.

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Those Cooling Centers are:

  • Broad Ripple Park Family Center 
  • Brookside Park Family Center
  • Christian Park Family Center
  • Frederick Douglass Park Family Center
  • Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
  • Krannert Park Family Center
  • Grassy Creek Environmental Education Center
  • Pride Park Family Center 
  • Rhodius Park Family Center
  • Riverside Park Family Center
  • Stanley Strader Park Family Center
  • Washington Park Family Center
  • Windsor Park Family Center 
  • Watkins Park Family Center
  • Thatcher Park Family Center

For addresses and hours of operations of these cooling centers, click here.

Beech Grove will also have two cooling Centers for residents starting Monday, June 29. Those hours and locations are:

  • Beech Grove Senior Center, 602 Main St
    • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave
    • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

Other Central Indiana Cooling Centers

For addresses and hour of operations of cooling centers below, click here.

Marion

  • St. Martin Community Center
  • Grant County Family YMCA
  • Grant County Rescue Mission

Kokomo

  • The Kokomo Rescue Mission
  • The Excel Center in Kokomo

Peru

  • Community Resource Center
  • Miami County Courthouse
  • Miami County Health Department
  • Miami County YMCA
  • Peru City Hall
  • Peru Public Library
  • Peru Schools Administration Building



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Indianapolis, IN

Heat Advisory and Warning for central Indiana

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Heat Advisory and Warning for central Indiana


INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — The National Weather Service out of Indianapolis has issued a Heat Advisory for all of Central Indiana and a High Heat Warning for parts of northern Indiana. The Advisory and Warning will go into effect at 12 PM on Monday and will run through 8 PM Thursday.

WRTV

A Heat Advisory means that temperatures in the 90s with dew points in the 70s, will lead to Heat Index values reaching 106. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

Stay cool:
Drink plenty of fluids, check up on relatives and neighbors, and stay in an air-conditioned room when possible. If outside for extended periods of time, make sure to take frequent breaks in the shade as much as you can.

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