Huston Street Racing Indianapolis based Urban Photojournalism & Transportation Advocacy

Indianapolis Construction Roundup, Dec 09 Nocturnal Edition

116th Street & Keystone Ave Rounabout

I apologize ahead of time for all the dark photos but as hectic a day as I have right now, this is what I have to offer. I work full time, and carry 7 credit hours plus helping my wife with her busy photo schedule, so getting out in daylight hours to photograph can be difficult during this season.

That said, here is an update of various projects going on around the Indianapolis area. The first is of round about construction at 116th street and Keystone Avenue in Carmel. This is another of the major roundabout contruction areas that Carmel has pulled off along this corridor. Construction is progressing swiftly as I was in the area just a couple weeks ago, and the bridge road bed was not finished. Basically, they have dug a HUGE hole in the ground, left 116th street at grade, and are running Keystone underneath of 116th. This is what I would consider one of the bigger ones, being as both roads serve as major artieries for commuters. Hopefully once it is all wrapped up, traffic will flow smoother. Recently, Carmel applied for federal funding to start ANOTHER of these round abouts, at the 96th and Keystone area. A project that is estimated to cost $78 million. I believe that this would be just as big (or bigger?) than the 116th street round about simply based upon the amount of freeway traffic that exits here and the huge volume of business done along 96th street.

California St garage @ IUPUI early stages

Next, we have the IUPUI California Street parking garage. I have been communicating with the IUPUI Architect's Office, and will soon have a better idea of exactly what this project will entail. I can tell you this, in the past week, they have put up the fence around it, and managed to bulldoze quite a bit of pavement. The parking lot is already starting to look like the result of an air raid. It appears that this structure will straddle North Street which is interesting, but perhaps an inspection of the site plans will reveal exactly what is going on. More on this topic later.

Lastly, we have Chatham Center located on East Street in downtown Indianapolis. This is another of the mixed use apartment and commercial developments around the city.

Chatham Center, city views including the majestic (*gag*) Lugar Tower

Its sprung up over the past year and appears to be very close to completion. There are stripes laid down in the parking lot behind the building, but the building itself was dark. A sign out front pimped move in dates of October 2009, but it appears that has not come to pass. Their website states a January 1st 2010 move in. The other cool thing about this parcel is that it is the site of the Indy Winter Farmer's market. According to their website, The Indianapolis Winter Farmers Market connects local farmers with city residents by delivering fresh healthy produce to 901 N. East St. on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from November 14, 2009 - April 24, 2010. Another local interest project that doesn't surprise me, but at the same time makes me proud. I like seeing grassroots efforts like this take note. I may have to drag my wife out to one of these soon.

As always, thanks for reading!