Carmel, Westfield mayors: US 31 project facing significant delays

By Kevin Kane
Current in Carmel


 

Jan. 7, 2010


 

Construction is scheduled to begin on U.S. 31 in 2011 as part of the Major Moves program, to improve traffic flow, decrease accidents and promote economic development. However, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said he was asked to participate in a special meeting with two INDOT officials in late 2009, during which he was told much of the road construction was suddenly pushed back to 2017.


 

Funding for the Major Moves program is planned to last through 2015, but if construction is moved to 2017, Brainard said he’s afraid that would mean any delayed portions of the U.S. 31 project would be past deadline and therefore unfunded, including all work in Carmel.


“It would appear to us that there is no funding right now,” he said. “We are very disappointed with this.”

Brainard said he hasn't received an updated version of the construction schedule, and INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield, who Brainard said was one of the two individuals who called the meeting, didn’t agree with the entirety of Brainard’s recollection. He said INDOT met with Brainard and Westfield Mayor Andy Cook at a later date to get their respective input on the project and to hear their priorities. While he acknowledged that some aspects of the project have been moved to 2017, he stressed that the plan is not finalized.


“When you’re talking about construction projects of this size, it’s hard to have concrete plans when looking a few years into the future,” he said. “It’s still a draft at this point.”

 

Cook said his interpretation of his meeting with INDOT was similar to Brainard’s, and he expressed his frustration with the potential postponement.

“It’s terrible,” he said. “It has further rendered this project uncertain with a capital ‘U.’”


Cook said he was very excited after first hearing of the Major Moves program because he said there is more potential for economic growth in Hamilton County than anywhere in the state. The U.S. 31 project, he said, would help promote that growth, but it is also necessary for safety. Cook said too many accidents occur along U.S. 31 for the safety of travelers to be overlooked.


“55 miles per hour and stop lights just don’t match,” he said.


Cook and Brainard said they are trying to work with the state to get all of the construction moved back within 2015 and ensure the project remains funded. Brainard said he’s open to multiple resolutions but stressed that the project has to be done right, that certainty be provided to the businesses along U.S. 31 and that the two sides reach an agreement quickly.


“All options are on the table,” Brainard said. “This isn’t good for Carmel, and it isn’t good for the state.”

Ashley Furniture to close
Lease negotiations fail. Inventory to be liquidated
For Current in Carmel

 
The Carmel store closing total liquidation will begin on Thursday, January 14th, and will continue until all merchandise is sold regardless of cost. Advisors to the event will be Illinois based Deere Park & Associates, one of the leading consultants to the furniture industry. According to Chris Caprio, “Deere Park & Associates was clearly the best furniture consultant in terms of reliability, integrity, professionalism, resources, and proven success. It is very important to us to maintain the standards and reputation we expect to keep.”

Because new lease terms could not be reached for the Carmel location of the Ashley Furniture HomeStore, this almost two acre location will close when all furniture on hand is sold. While inventory remains at the Ashley Carmel location, this store will conduct a total liquidation event. Everything will be sold to the bare walls and the store closed.


Since 2002, Ashley Furniture HomeStore has successfully provided thousands of Indianapolis residents with fine home furnishings at Ashley direct prices. The other two locations in Greenwood and Avon are not affected by this event and will continue to serve the Indianapolis area. Plans include opening a new location in the north side of Indianapolis in the near future. Although disappointed with loosing the Carmel address, it provides store owners an opportunity to say "Thank You" to local customers by offering prices below cost.

"The total liquidation of our Carmel store will begin on January 14th and last only as long as inventory remains," said Chris Caprio CEO/President of KHF Holdings LLC, a licensee of Ashley Furniture HomeStore. Caprio went on to say, "We have reductions of up to 75% on every item in the store including living rooms, bedrooms, dining sets, recliners, flat panel TV’s and thousands of fine accessories, objects of art and rugs. Over $5 million dollars of fine home furnishings must be sold as quickly as possible at the lowest prices in the store's history." Caprio continued, "Every item in our multi-million dollar inventory will be sold, regardless of cost. This is a wall-to-wall total sell-off.”

The decision to close the Carmel showroom, one of three Indianapolis stores, was made by Chris Caprio, who has revealed plans for the store closing event. In announcing the closing, Caprio stated, "The decision to close this location has been a difficult one. The Ashley Furniture HomeStore has been an important part of Northern Indianapolis for a very long time and we don’t want to adversely affect the great success we have enjoyed here. Everyone involved will make every effort to make this liquidation event a benefit to our customers.”

Caprio continued saying "We've decided to offer prices below our costs. This event will give the area residents the opportunity to own fine home furnishings at once-in-a-lifetime savings.”

Regional Performing Arts Center adds new staff members
Center adds Director of Development and PR Manager to growing organization
For Current in Carmel

Steven Libman, Executive Director of The Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC) in Carmel, officially announced on Jan. 5 the appointment of Jeremy M. Hatch as the Center’s Director of Development along with John R. Hughey who will serve as the Center’s Public Relations Manager. Hatch, of Indianapolis, and Hughey, of Fishers, will assume their duties next month. 
 

“I am thrilled that we were able to recruit such talented individuals as Jeremy and John to work at the Regional Performing Arts Center,” said Libman. “They bring a passion for the arts and a wealth of experience to the Center that is truly exceptional. I look forward to working with them during this vital growth period and in the years to come.”  
 

Hatch, who earned his bachelor’s degree and his master’s of arts administration from Indiana University, comes to the RPAC from the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis where he served as the Senior Director of Financial Development. A Certified Fund Raising Executive, Hatch is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Indiana University, a member of the Board of Directors for the Indianapolis Fringe Festival, and serves on the Cultural Entrepreneur Advisory Board for the Harrison Arts Center. 
 

“As we embark on this new decade I am thrilled to be joining the Regional Performing Arts Center and the effort to build Central Indiana's next world-class cultural institution,” said Hatch. “We have an ambitious, but achievable plan and I look forward to engaging the entire community in our vision, facility and programs.” 
 

Hughey, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Andrews University and a master’s from Indiana University, was most recently employed at the Indianapolis Star as the Community magazine managing editor. 
 

“As the editor of Carmel Magazine, I closely followed the Center’s development and construction,” said Hughey. “I was always impressed by the vision to create such an outstanding facility right here in the heart of Indiana, where I live. This is an extraordinary opportunity to tell the Regional Performing Arts Center’s story from the very beginning.”
 

“Both individuals are dynamic assets for the Center as well as for the community at large,” said Steven Libman. “Jeremy and John will work respectively to grow support for the Center and ensure that we’re able to dialogue openly with the community and media, keeping our stakeholders informed about the exciting details that continue to unfold here at the Regional Performing Arts Center.”

The Miami County Tea Party will host a candidate forum in Peru, Indiana between three candidates for Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District seat. Rep. Mike Murphy, Luke Messer, and Andy Lyons will all be present to answer questions from the public. The event will take place Tuesday, January 5^th, between 6:30 and 8:30 PM at the Ivy Tech Auditorium in Peru.

What: Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District Candidate Forum
 

Where: Ivy Tech Auditorium

       425 W. Main St

       Peru, IN

 
When: Tuesday Jan 5, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

 
Who: Rep. Mike Murphy, Luke Messer, Andy Lyons

City Council 2010 appointments
For Current in Carmel 

President: Rick Sharp 
Vice-President:  Joe Griffiths 
Parliamentarian:  Eric Seidensticker 
Chaplain:  Kevin Rider

Land Use, Annexation and Economic Development committee 
Chair: Eric Seidensticker 
Joe Griffiths 
Kevin Rider 
John Accetturo

Finance, Administration and Rules committee 
Chair: Luci Snyder 
Eric Seidensticker 
Kevin Rider  
John Accetturo

Utilities, Transportation and Public Safety committee 
Chair: Joe Griffiths 
Ron Carter 
Rick Sharp

Parks, Recreation and Arts committee 
Chair: Ron Carter 
Luci Snyder 
John Accetturo