Bike hub planned for downtown Indianapolis 2.22.11

WTHR

Indianapolis - The city has long wanted the historic City Market to be a hub. The east wing of the building soon will be. Next month, workers will start turning it into the city's first bicycle hub.
It includes plans for up to 200 "bike lockers," showers, locker rooms and a reception area. The city plans to partner on the hub with the YMCA and Bicycle Garage Indy. The final agreement is expected to be signed soon. It also awaits final approval from the Metropolitan Development Commission, which is providing tax increment finance funds.
Under the deal, the Y would manage the space and run a small fitness center while the bike shop would offer bicycle maintenance and limited retail. City documents also refer to a small barber shop in the hub as well as making the hub the new home of IMPD's bicycle patrol.
Jim Reilly, the executive director of City Market, said his office will no longer oversee the wing when the hub opens.
"It will not be part of City Market. It will be a separate business deal between the city and the other entities," he said.
To make room for it all, Enzo Pizza, now the only tenant in the east wing, will move to the main building.
Owner Angelo Verderame, who's been in the space for 20 years, said of the changes, "It's exciting. More people at City Market means we'll be better off."
Plans for the hub follow Tomlinson Tap, which opened in November and offers craft beers from Indiana breweries. It too was developed with the hope of drawing more people to the market, which has seen a steady drop in business in recent years.
"We're always trying to think outside the proverbial box," said Reilly.
Bike hubs have proved popular in cities like Chicago, where bicycle commuting has caught on. But will it work in Indianapolis?
Zach Barnes, working out at the downtown YMCA, thinks so. 
"Certainly. They've installed the cultural trail and made a lot of improvements to open biking lanes for people," said Barnes.
Dan Snyder was hopeful, but less certain.
"I think we're not only ready but behind on it," Snyder said, noting that he traveled five months out of the year as part of his job before retiring.
"Indianapolis is behind other cities in doing those things," he said. "I think it might be slow to catch on with the public...It's a great idea. I hope it catches on. It should catch on."
The bike hub is part of a $3.5 million renovation of City Market. Its price tag is roughly $800,000. Reilly said the balance will go toward replacing equipment, mechanical repairs, building new stands and repainting the inside of the main, historic building.
"We're fixing things that need to be fixed to get back on track," Reilly said, "and hopefully we'll be good for another ten years."
He noted unlike the last renovation of three years ago when vendors were moved from the main building to the wings, "there will be noise and some inconvenience, but they'll be staying where they are."
Work on the main building and the hub are scheduled to be done by July 4th. Reilly said the west wing, slated for demolition, is expected to come down late this year or in early 2012.
Part of the project also includes eliminating the 20 or so metered spaces in the small lot in front of City Market at Alabama and Market Streets. It will become a pedestrian walkway.
Reilly did note that patrons can park across the street in the north MSA lot at a discount. While the flat fee is $5, those shopping at the market can get a voucher, which entitles them to a $4 refund.
http://www.wthr.com/story/14071561/bike-hub-planned-for-downtown-indianapolis