Broad Ripple Parking Problems Could Ease Soon 6.14.11

WRTV

INDIANAPOLIS -- Finding a parking place in Broad Ripple could soon become easier.
Mayor Greg Ballard and other city leaders unveiled plans for a new parking garage Monday morning after looking at bids for several months.

The planned parking structure at the southwest corner of the intersection of Broad Ripple and College avenues will accommodate 300 cars, and it will be a mixed-use facility.

The first floor is slated to have retail space and an Indianapolis police substation, officials said.
Parking has long been a problem in Broad Ripple, an area of Indianapolis full of bars, restaurants and quirky shops.

Towing issues in the area in recent months partly highlighted a dire need for more parking spaces. City officials have been looking at a parking garage as a possible option since last year.

"Broad Ripple Village has long needed a garage of this magnitude to alleviate parking issues and allow for implementation of a residential parking permit system on neighborhood streets," Ballard said.

Indianapolis requested bids on the project earlier this year. The total cost is pegged at about $15 million, with $6.35 million of that coming from the city's parking meter proceeds.

A partnership of Newpoint Parking, Keystone Construction, Ratio Architects and Walker Parking Consultants are involved in the construction and operation of the project.

"We have worked with the Broad Ripple Village Association and other partners over several years to arrive at a plan that offers great retail space that will be an additional amenity for the community," said Ryan Vaughn, Indianapolis City-County Council president.

The operator will set pricing for parking, but the city will have the ability to cap the rate, officials said.
There will be a public meeting in July to allow residents to comment on the garage plan.
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