LSA Planning for Mayor Peterson Visit(posted June 28) It was a string of good news announcements at the Lafayette Square Area Coalition July 26 meeting. Karen Terrell, liaison to the Mayor's Office, told local businesses to mark their calendars for July 6 because Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson is having his town hall day in the Lafayette Square District. The mayor will come to tour the area so he can better assess the area's strengths and weaknesses as well as hear from business owners about their issues. Animal Control, DPW and the mobile Mayor Action Center will accompany the Mayor to provide services to the area. Peterson is expected to visit Kyler Bros. Heating and Air Conditioning, located on Lafayette Boulevard, since they were one of the first businesses to receive the Community Revitalization Enhancement District (CRED) tax credit for building a new facility and expanding its employee base. Since then, the state has reassessed the CRED and these tax credits are no longer applicable to retail businesses. Don Steffy, executive director of Pikes Performing Arts Center, announced that the Taste of Pike Festival will be moving to the Lafayette Square District in August 23, 2008. All that is missing is a definite location to host the event that brings the community together to celebrate its multi-cultural township. Taste of Pike will not happen this year. "We wanted to put it to rest, so we can come back strong with new partnerships," he said. Steffy touted the reason to be part of the Lafayette Square District is its accessibility to more families and its good location to celebrate the cultural diversity. The Taste of Pike is a fund raising event to support the Pike Performing Arts Center. Joseph Stephenson spoke to the LSAC members about his excitement to be the Wal-Mart Super Center Store Manager when it is opens in January. The store is located at 46th Street and Lafayette Road. Stephenson's passion for cultural diversity lured him to come to the LSA. "I asked to be located here two years ago, and I am excited to be here." Stephenson gave a brief glimpse of a typical Wal-Mart employees' start of the day. The work day begins with energizing employees by singing the Wal-Mart song. The song generates enthusiasm and dedication that spills over into customer service. He invited the LSAC members to participate in the hand clapping song. Members had to smile as they watched Stephenson perform the choreograph of spelling Wal-Mart. He cited that the new store is expected to add about 300 to 400 jobs to the community. LSAC President Mary Clark announced that Chris Larkins has replaced her as the branch manager at the National City Bank at 38th and Georgetown. Clark has been transferred into a new position as community development business officer with the bank. |
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