Bates-Hendricks newletter, 2009-11

              1 Page Bates-Hendricks Newsletter
Bates Hendricks Wins Three Awards
October was a good month for our neighborhood!
On October 13, we received the Collaborative Spirit Award from the Indianapolis Neighborhood
Resource Center for the best Indianapolis neighborhood project in 2008 – the New Jersey Street
transformation. This award came with a $250 cash award and a nomination for a national award. In May, we could be selected as the best neighborhood project in the United States. This would involve several residents attending the national conference in Little Rock, Arkansas and sharing our story with people from across the country.
On October 16, we received the Inspiring Places Award at the Neighbor Power Conference. This was for our work in 2009 on abandoned housing. This hand crafted award was presented to Jim
Mulholland with a cash award of $1,000. Our efforts in abandoned housing were showcased at the conference as an example of what residents can do. One city official said, ―Your neighborhood is
better organized on abandoned housing than the city is.‖
Finally, on October 21, we received word that our work on the New Jersey Street esplanade received the national Keep America Beautiful Award as the best neighborhood beautification project of 2008.
All who participated in either the New Jersey Street project or the abandoned housing initiative should be proud. People across the country are recognizing the excellence of what our neighborhood has
accomplished.
East Street Alterations
It’s been exciting to see the new sidewalks and pavement on East Street this past summer. However, many have asked what can be done about the strange configuration as East Street goes from four lanes to two lanes between Morris and Sanders.
In October, the neighborhood association met with engineers from the Indianapolis Department of Works and looked at possible alterations. In those discussions, DPW agreed to create a left turn only lane on southbound East Street at Morris. This will hopefully alleviate the confusion people have as they come to this intersection.
In addition, there were preliminary discussions about adding a decorative median in the short section between Morris and Sanders, adding a bike lane from Morris Street to Garfield Park, and restricting parking on East Street. No decisions have been made on any of these issues, but the Economic
Development Committee will be meeting with Bob Wilch, a city planner, in the winter months to map out a long range plan for East Street.
November Meeting Highlights Animal Control Issues
On Monday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association will meet at the Immanuel United Church of Christ at the corner of East and Prospect. Lieutenant Jerry Bippus, Field Manager of the Indianapolis Animal Control, will speak about animal control issues and take questions or complaints.
As always, we will also have reports from IMPD, the Abandoned Housing Task Force, the Economic Development Committee, as well as, information about other activities in our neighborhood. Come and be informed and empowered to make a difference.
Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association
Bates Hendricks Newsletter
November
2009