Home What's New Past issues Community links Where to find the paper Advertise with us About us Contact us
Vision Summaries Need
Public Comment
By June, The Speedway Redevelopment Commission should have a master plan and strategic plan in place to guide Speedway’s future into the 21 century. The development of this master plan will target the Speed Zone’s current blighted 350 acres.
The master plan will be a representative picture of the visions and ideas from residents, property owners, businesses, civic leaders, and government leaders.
“That was the intent of the entire process,” Burkhardt said.
They were all stakeholders in the process that started in November with Carbueration Night. That was a special night that kicked off the community involvement process. Then a week later, the Work Zone was conducted that involved public participation to create schematic drawings between the area of Tenth Street and 16th Street and Olin Avenue and Main Street.
Public involvement is still needed since the schematic drawings were compiled into three different vision summaries. American Structure Point and SRC are urging people to view the three visions summaries and to provide their comments about their likes and dislikes. The vision summaries are located at the Speedway Public Library, Dawson’s on Main Street, Charlie Brown’s Pancake and Steak House, the SRC website, and the links to the right of this article.
“It is not a vote. It is about gathering comments,” he said. He said the comments will be used to determine the best features in each of the vision summaries. It would be up the SRC to select a vision or a combination of all three visions. This should happen by the beginning of March.
Vision One uses the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as its focal point for development. It alters th16 Street more into a pedestrian use and calls for a town square with a new town hall and library and transit stop to be located in the vicinity of the mobile home parks on Georgetown Road. This is the area the SRC wants to add into the Speed Zone.
Vision Two develops as outdoor plaza that features more of a retail experience. It is called the new community gather place vision. Some of its features are the same as Vision One, including an amphitheater and outdoor skating rink.
Vision Three highlights Main Street as the focal point reflecting its traditional heritage.
Burkhardt said the master plan should motivate business owners and landowners to recognize the highest and best use of their property to the point where they want to participate in the redevelopment or sell their property. He noted the strategic plan is to help implement the master plan. The strategic plan should include some kind of incentive programs to encourage the redevelopment.
 Vision 1 |
 Vision 2 |
 Vision 3 |