Urban Land Institute to Provide Solutions To Speed Zone


(posted Feb 19)

According to Tom Eitler of the the Urban Land Institute, the non-profit organization has been in contact with the Speedway Redevelopment Commission. He said a specific contract has not been negotiated as of Feb 19, but the fee ranges from $25,000 to $115,000 depending upon the scope of work, including the number of days spent in town.

Eitler said that "people come to us to answer a problem." The problems are posed as questions.

The Urban Land Institute has not received list of questions at this time, so he could not say as to how the advisory panel would be assembled.

The organization has a 40,000 membership base that provides access to various professionals' knowledge and experience. The professionals range from financial consultants, architecture, engineers, planners to government officials. One of the qualifications is that advisory panel members have no vested interest in the project.

"The key behind the panel is the advice," he said.

He called the Speed Zone Redevelopment project unique since it involves the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but he insisted that the project is not out of the realm of the Urban Land Institute's experience. The Urban Land Institute has conducted about 500 panels since its inception in 1947.

The advisory panel will also conduct interviews with the stakeholders at the recommendation of the SRC with a final report being submitted to the SRC.