Interesting Development…

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From last week’s Indy Star:

GM plant sale could open door for new amphitheater

Jeff Swiatek and Chris Sikich12:04 p.m. EDT August 4, 2014
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Carmel developer REI Investments has agreed to buy the 102-acre former General Motors Stamping Plant site and is moving forward with efforts to develop a large outdoor amphitheater on the eastern half of the property.

As part of the deal, the city is exploring plans to build a justice center on the western half of the property that includes a new jail.

REI gained control of the property through a purchase agreement reached with the RACER Trust, the Michigan-based entity that has controlled the site since GM vacated it in 2011.

REI president Mike Wells said his company is exploring financing options — including forming partnerships — to build the 15,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. If REI can’t find financing, he said, building apartments, restaurants and retail on the site remains a back-up plan.

“We’re going to have to come up with a decision in the fall as to what direction we will go,” he said. “And then I think we would start construction probably in the second quarter (of 2015.)

Wells said the opportunity to acquire the property was too good to pass up, though, he said, REI’s involvement was somewhat accidental.

About a year ago, he said, he attended a public meeting the RACER Trust held to discuss potential uses for the former stamping plant site. Wells said he didn’t have strong interest in the property at that time, but spoke up after several comments were made about reusing the stamping plant.

Reusing the plant, Wells recalls saying at the meeting, isn’t a viable option. He told the RACER Trust it should be torn down and the site should be redeveloped, perhaps as an amphitheater.

“This building is an eyesore and is not going to be reused in its current form,” Wells said.

He remained in contact with RACER and ultimately decided to place a bid for the property.

“The opportunity to acquire and redevelop an iconic property like the Indianapolis Stamping Plant doesn’t come along very often, and we’re thrilled that RACER selected our firm to write the next chapter in its history,” Well said.

The plant site is in a prominent location along the west bank of White River just south of Washington Street. GM closed the plant and transferred ownership to the Michigan-based trust as part of the automaker’s 2009 bankruptcy. The trust was created in bankruptcy court to clean up and sell for redevelopment about 89 former GM sites.

The amphitheater would compete with other local venues.

The plant is across the river from White River State Park, which since 2004 has hosted its own concerts at The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, with a capacity of 7,400 spectators.

The area’s premier outdoor venue, Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, seats 24,000.

Mayor Greg Ballard, who proposed the consolidated justice center at the site, still has to persuade the City-County Council to go along with the plan.

RACER said it won’t sell the site to REI if it isn’t able to negotiate a development agreement with the city.

REI was one of 10 companies invited to bid on the site. Four submitted proposals.

REI is a longtime commercial developer whose projects include the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

Call Star reporter Jeff Swiatek at (317)444-6483. Follow him on Twitter: @JeffSwiatek.

What do you think…can Indianapolis support another concert venue?

Vicki Reed

 

Lucky Guy!

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Have you seen the latest Hoosier Lottery news?  Indiana Resident has won $1 million…TWICE in 3 months!  From the Indy Star…

Indy man wins $1M lottery prize for second time

Steph Solis, steph.solis@indystar.com10:51 a.m. EDT July 30, 2014
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The chances of winning a $1-million lottery ticket are slim. Winning the same lottery twice is unheard of.

Yet an Indianapolis man defied the odds twice, winning his second $1-million prize in three months.

Robert Hamilton claimed his $1 million from the Hoosier Lottery Commission July 22, according to a news release. He purchased the ticket in the $120 Million Cash Spectacular Scratch-off from a Speedway on South East Street.

After taxes, Hamilton collected $792,846.04, according to the website.

Hamilton won another $1-million prize in the same game three months earlier, on April 28. He told the commission he stopped by a Casey’s in Jasonville on his way to a conference and purchased the winning ticket there.

“It’s the icing on the cake,” Hamilton said, as he claimed his second prize.

The odds of winning the $1-million prize on that game are one in 2.1 million, according to the news release. Five of the $120 Million Cash Spectacular Scratch-off prizes remain unclaimed.

With his first prize, Hamilton bought a house with his wife Donna Hamilton, paid some bills, scheduled a vacation, bought a truck for his father and purchased equipment for his commercial trash hauling company.

This time around, Hamilton said he plans to buy a motorcycle.

Donna Hamilton said she and her husband wouldn’t let the winnings go to their heads.

“We’re just everyday, normal people,” she said.

Lucky guy!

Vicki Reed

In case you missed it…

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Tired of panhandlers, not only downtown, but at stop lights?  Check out this great column by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz (been a fan of his since his days on 1430 am when it was news radio), he always has a great take on Living in Indy…

Abdul: Turned down by Indy’s stingy panhandlers

Abdul-Hakim Shabazz2:19 p.m. EDT July 22, 2014

Panhandlers in Downtown Indianapolis are some of the most stingy people I have ever met.

I’ll give you a second to catch your breath.

Yes, I accused Downtown panhandlers of being stingy. Allow me to explain.

As someone who works and frequently plays in the Mile Square, I come across panhandlers every day. They include the “physically disabled” woman outside of Starbucks on Monument Circle who manages to haul around a shopping cart full of her stuff, the guy who has been trying to get enough money for gas so he can get his family stuck on the Eastside to Memphis, and the two guys who are “broke and homeless” but talked about their cellphone plans when they didn’t think anyone was listening.

There is nothing more annoying than trying to enjoy a meal, cigar or just some quiet time and have people come up to ask for money. And since the City-County Council Democrats continue to block any meaningful proposal to get these guys off the streets, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I decided to turn the tables on the panhandlers and start asking them for money.

Now I had a couple of ground rules. I would not approach anyone who was just holding a sign. Instead, I decided to approach only those panhandlers who either walked up to me and asked for money or solicited cash when I walked by them. And I would ask for money only once it was clear that’s what they wanted.

It was a fantastic experiment.

On the first day, as I sat on the veranda at Nicky Blaine’s on the Circle having a cigar and cocktail, the first panhandler approached me. He went through the usual spiel and right before he asked for money, I interrupted and asked him for a dollar. His jaw dropped; so I asked again. He told me he didn’t have any money to give, and I told him that makes two of us. He walked away bewildered.

On the second day, I was approached by a young guy who is always on the Circle selling candy. Every day it’s a new organization that he’s selling candy for; unless the line he’s using that day is that he’s selling the candy to pay for summer classes at college.

As I walked by, he asked if I had money to buy candy. I told him I didn’t, but could he float me a couple of bucks so I could get lunch? He told me he didn’t have any money. I told him that he must be a horrible salesman to have been out on the Circle all day selling candy and not have any money.

That story repeated itself, no matter how many times I asked panhandlers for money. The answer was always no. One even went so far as to curse me out. He sounded like something out of an old Redd Foxx comedy bit.

What fascinated me the most was the fact that people who spend all day begging others for money had the nerve to get mad when someone did it to them. So maybe that’s the way we should deal with Indy’s panhandling problem: simply ask them for money.

Maybe they’ll get tired of us panhandling and then they will avoid Downtown so the rest of us can enjoy it. Just a thought. By the way, you got a dollar you can spare?

Shabazz is an attorney and the editor and publisher of IndyPolitics.org. Email him at abdul@indypolitics.org.

downtown

Vicki Reed

I’m back…

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Yes, I’ve been gone…so many things to update you on!

First and most importantly, I’ve moved!  Last year I wrote a few posts about helping my friend Kate purchase a co-op in Irvington and another couple about the Irvington area…well, now I’m a resident and Kate’s neighbor!

I now live in a townhome…basement, main floor has a living room, dining room and kitchen, second floor has 2 bedrooms…well, actually 1 bedroom and a dressing room (built in 1917 = no closet space, turned 2nd bedroom into a dressing room!) and a bath and lastly, the attic space has been finished and makes a perfect office!  I have a 1 car detattached garage and have finally stopped shutting the door while still sitting in the car, getting used to a garage NOT attached to the house has been one of my biggest challenges!

I love my new neighborhood!  Kate and I walked to dinner at Legend and stopped for ice cream at the new ice cream shop on Washington Street.  The very walkable lifestyle of Irvington is fantastic!  September is the Historic Home Tour…and I am participating – more on that another day.

In addition to moving, unpacking, etc., my business has been going very well, several closings over the months of June and July and many happy families.

Most importantly, an update on my beautiful nieces:  Allyson and Jordan graduated from high school, Michelle is engaged to Zack and I went on a short trip with Ashley, Riley and my Parents…it’s been a crazy couple of months and I have enjoyed every bit of it!  Ashley and Riley will be the first of them to see the new place (Sunday) can’t wait to hear what they have to say about it!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and look forward to Living in Indy being back on track!

For Home Tour

Vicki Reed

Just a little funny to make you smile…

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Read this on Facebook last week and it made me smile, thought I would share…from The San Francisco Globe

THE SHOEBOX

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife’s bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totalling $95,000.

He asked her about the contents.
‘When we were to be married,’ she said, ‘ my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.’

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two Precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two Times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with Happiness.

‘Honey,’ he said, ‘that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?’

‘Oh,’ she said, ‘that’s the money I made from selling the dolls.’

crochet dolls

 Vicki L. Reed

Great words to live by…

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A friend posted this on Facebook the other day and I thought these were timeless words of wisdom from Will Rogers, who died in a 1935 plane crash and was one of the greatest political sages this country has ever known.  Enjoy the following:

1. Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.

2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.

4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

5. Always drink upstream from the herd.

6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.

8. There are three kinds of men:

The ones that learn by reading.
The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

10. If you’re riding’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.

11. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’ it back.

12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.  The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

ABOUT GROWING OLDER…

First ~Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.

Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers.  Not me; I want people to know ‘why’ I look this way.
I’ve traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren’t paved.

Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.

Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

Sixth ~ I don’t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it’s such a nice change from being young.

Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Tenth ~ Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft…today it’s called golf.

And, finally ~ If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you’re old.

Will Rogers

Vicki Reed

Thank you Andy Rooney…

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As a woman rapidly approaching 50, I loved this and wanted to share…

Andy Rooney’s thoughts on women over forty, Do you agree with him?:

As I grow in age, I value women who are over forty most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over forty will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn’t care what you think.

If a woman over forty doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it’s usually something more interesting.

A woman over forty knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of forty give a hoot what you might think about her or what she’s doing.

Women over forty are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated.

A woman over forty has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn’t trust the guy with other women.

Women over forty couldn’t care less if you’re attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won’t betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over forty. They always know.

A woman over forty looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over forty is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one! You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over forty for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of forty-plus, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some twenty-two-year-old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free,” here’s an update for you. Now 80 percent of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.

I love this!! What do you think?

KW1258-303-f77-Web-Reed (2)

Vicki Reed

Ladies…we need to talk!

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This is especially for those of us over 40!

Warmer weather is approaching and I’d like to take the opportunity to bring two important issues to the forefront.

First…please, please, please look at yourself in the mirror before you leave the house…too short, too tight, too much skin…you don’t look young and sexy, you look like an old broad trying too hard to look young!  It just makes you look old, have a little respect for yourself.  Honestly, sometimes more is better and sexier!

Second…if you can’t walk in 5 inch heels…don’t try, you may look fantastic just standing there, but no one is going to think you are sexy when you start tottering away!  Duchess Catherine routinely wears 4 to 5 inch heels and walks elegantly in front of the world, if you can’t…buy something that still looks good, but you can actually walk in, it’s important that you are able to stride confidently wherever you go!

I swear I really miss the eternal wisdom of Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear, each week they made over women behaving like many of you…

heels

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My friend Heather Swank owner of Brookson Insurance Posted this on her blog…you really need to think about this!

What Is Going On With Home Deductibles????

Did you get a letter with your home renewal this year forcing you into a higher deductible or a % deductible for wind and hail damage?  Be aware this is happening all over Indiana.  This year make sure you review your renewal for any changes like this.  
There are some basic facts surrounding these changes.  I know rates have been enough, but these changing deductibles are an attempt to change the face of home insurance in Indiana.  Indiana has seen consistent storm damage for fifteen plus years.  Each hail event we have results in millions of dollars in damage not to even begin wind, lighting, and tornado damage.  Hurricanes are no longer the big boys of catastrophe claims in the US hail has become the mass producing damage maker.  It’s because it hits every single day through storm season somewhere and now even beyond.  Late fall tornadoes, unexpected ice damage from harsh winters, and then right back into our storm season.  This has forced insurance carriers to raise pricing just to literally keep their heads above water.  On average in the US there are 12,000 hail events each year costing upwards of a billion dollars per year in damages.  Let me ask how many people have actually paid themselves out of pocket to replace their own roof on their home?  Yeah, it rarely if ever happens after so many years a storm blows in and poof a new roof.  The fact is most roofs being replaced should have been replaced by the homeowner well before that storm came along because of age and that is maintenance which is not the intention of the insurance policy to cover.   It has become an expectation of the homeowner that the roof will always be replaced and that is just not anything you will ever have to do.  This cost, the cost of replacing worn out roofs that should have been replaced far before a stone of hail came along, that is why the cost of insurance is skyrocketing. Be prepared for changes, but also be aware not all carriers are making those changes.  When shopping ask is there a higher wind hail deductible?  Or is there a % deductible for wind hail.  The % deductibles are often 2% sometimes higher.  What that means is that whatever your home is insured for the “dwelling” your deductible would be 2% of that. So, if your dwelling is insured for 260,000 then your wind hail deductible would be $5,200.   I know it seems as though the insurance world is a big evil machine when we pay our bills and never file claims, but it really is not.  Hey, I am an insurance agent and I still hate paying my premiums but I do so because I know I’m sharing risk so that when my time comes my claim will be paid.   These storm patterns we experience now are only getting worse so buckle up it will keep getting more expensive and it will keep changing.  I’m a proud insurance agent who fully understands the product and grasps how beautiful it really is.  We all pay in and when a family experiences a fire and loses everything they had in life you see the product in action.  It’s amazing life begins to rebuild and without insurance that would never happen.  A family could be financially devastated if they suffered a severe loss without it.   I remember standing on a slab in Kansas City in 2001 after tornadoes blew through and more coming literally every night.  I am a former claims adjuster I was dispatched there for claim work for 4 weeks.  Standing on the slab of what had been a home 48 hours prior I saw an American flag stuck to the only remaining portion of a wall.  In that moment I knew I was in the right field and kept on working claims until each family had been taken care of.  Today I watch out for insured families. This change in home insurance pricing and deductibles is the most major change I have seen in my career.  My lead carrier Erie Insurance has chosen NOT to create higher deductibles for wind or hail, nor are they applying % deductible.  Your regular deductible is what it is.  If you experience anyone stressed about the forced higher deductibles pass my agency name along.   Buckle up storms are upon us.  I’m here as always for any questions.   Heather Swank Brookson Insurance  317-534-5202 Heather@brooksoninsurance.com
Brookson
Vicki Reed

How to survive a remodel…

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My friend Cindy Hiland of Servpro is used to taking care of others disasters…but when she decided to re-do her kitchen…I’ve asked her to share some of her stories and tips on surviving the remodel…

After years of doing repairs, I have provided all types of advice to our customers.  For example because losses are never convenient, I try to calm nerves by advising to go ahead and have celebrations when under construction.  This way, it won’t matter if someone spills wine/punch on the sub floor.  Additional things to add (since undergoing my own repairs)…
Plan an alternative route to your laundry, if applicable.  My neighbors have not appreciated my running from my front door in my pj’s and slippers, through the front yard, and around to the garage because my kitchen is completely cordoned off during repairs and is my regular route to the laundry.  There was snow on the ground during some of this which caused my family members to fight over who had to do the laundry.
Prepare some freezer crock pot meals before construction.  Trying to prepare dinner for 8 weeks without a stove, oven, etc is quite trying.  We’ve been creative, even tried to make some sweet potato chips, which caught fire on the grill.  They were just a little too crispy.
Along the lines of appliances…when operating your coffee pot, toaster oven, and mini microwave from your dining room, make sure they are not on the same breaker.  You will blow your breakers if you try to use two at once…and trust me, when you are trying to get your first cup of coffee…this matters!
Final piece of advice:  If washing dishes in your laundry room, don’t put your dishes on the washing machine to dry…IF you are going to wash a load of clothes.  Your dishes will fall off and break during the spin cycle.  (Unless of course, you are wanting a reason to get new dishes).
Hope this helps!
Cindy Hiland
Cindy
Servpro