SRC Expands Speed Zone

Mug 'N Bun owner Jay Watson

Photo by Linda Karn

(posted Mar 27)

"Disappointed" was Attorney Greg Zubek's reaction when the Speedway Redevelopment Commission chose not to exclude his clients from the Speed Zone expansion area. He was hoping the commission would have taken another look to his remonstration that Indy Screen Printing and El Lou Mobile Home Park are not blighted and should be excluded from the plan.

The commissioners passed the resolution in a 5-0 vote after taking public comments for nearly two hours in addition to identifying about 14 letters opposing the plan.

Barnes and Thornburg Attorney Jim Gutting said the law firm sent public notices to residents and businesses on Tenth Street, 16th Street and Crawfordsville Road and Georgetown Road informing them of the of expansion. It was not a letter of acquisition. However, landowners could not differentiate between the two.

Zubek called the expansion letter the next step to eminent domain and transferring his clients' property to another private entity. He said SRC's stated purpose in the 2008 amendment plan is to partner with Allison Transmission, IMS, and other private entities and that his clients are also private entities and that SRC wants his clients' parcels to benefit the IMS or Allison Transmission.

He also pointed out the inconsistencies between the SRC's statement in public meetings and to what is said in the plan. The plan discusses taking the mobile home park to realign Georgetown Road to the west while in meetings they have publicly stated that Georgetown Road will be closed. He said security of the IMS is not the scope of the SRC. The IMS has been holding the race for "scores of years" and nobody has said the IMS needs to cease operations because of safety. He argued with the amendment's findings of blight. The plan said the intersection is dominated with topless clubs, taverns and fast foods. Zubek said that his clients do not operate any business of that nature and that the amendment gives the impression that taverns and fast foods cause blight. He said the area may need upgrading but it is not blight.

Neither Zubek or Gutting had answers for 72 year-old Helen Monforte who resides at El Lou whether the SRC could compensate her for her mobile home that is classified as personal property, not real property. She said she can not afford to move it and is still making contract payments that takes half of her $600 monthly income.

Attorney Ben Spurlock, representing Wilcox Mobile Home Park, said his clients, Wayne and Debra Wilcox, have already been harmed over the last two years from proposed discussions of adding the mobile home park into the expansion area. He said they have lost 50 percent of their business because of the uncertainties of Georgetown Road closing that trickles down to the tenants not wanting to renew leases.

"Welcome to confusion" Wayne Wilcox said to the other landowners of the newly expanded area.

He said that he has received little information from the SRC over the last two years. He warned the people that if redevelopment areas keep growing that eventually every business will be in the Speed Zone or Area Two. He argued that closing Georgetown Road will hurt the Speed Zone as over 10,000 commuters use the road because commuters stop in the area. He said the proposed redevelopment is hurting the tax base because his mobile home park will be leveled for IMS parking. "I find that hard to believe that is a tax upgrade."

Debra Wilcox, speaking as a resident, said the IMS will become the major owner of the SRC's acquisitions. She noted that IMS has lowered the tax base by leveling all of the buildings they have purchased. The leveling of site improvements include the Georgetown Apartments, Steak"N Shake, American Clay Art, Classic Hotel and White Castle.

John Reynolds of 1617 Cord received a letter that his parcel will be in the expansion area. Reynolds explained the uncertainty and lack of good communication takes away the SRC's credibility.

Attorney Bob Lutz, representing Conkle Funeral Home, said his clients are concerned that they would lose frontage with the expansion plans.

Kent Elliot, pastor of the Speedway Church of Christ, asked "are we going to be part of the redevelopment?" He wanted to know what the plans are, so they can make church improvements. He wanted to know when to expect a 10th Street brochure.

"There is none," Harris said.

"That means that any news coming down the pike, I don't want to get a letter from Barnes and Thornburg. I want to hear it from you personally. I want you to come and knock on my door. The letters from Barnes and Thornburg create anxiety in the community that is unnecessary," Elliot said.

John Yates, 5124 W. 10th Street, said he came with here the intention to get information but instead he is sensing alienation. Yates wanted to be part of the beautification plan.

He said that the commission treated one person like a leper for asking a simple question. "I saw a few people's (SRC) faces get red, " he said.

"By alienating everyone, it is detrimental to the overall goal. Alienation makes the process more difficult."

"I want to know what you are going to do with my house," Scott Albrecht of 5132 10th Street said. He accused the SRC of not giving straight answers that only creates distrust among the homeowners. "What I am asking from you gentlemen is a little more transparency. You cannot be doing something this massive and this big and not know what the end result is. What is the end result?. We are not hearing anything other than hollowed ideas," he said.

Jay Watson, owner of Mug 'N Bun,said "I am not mad. I am confused. I got a letter with four lines." He wanted to know how the redevelopment will affect him. "That's my last stop. I bought the Mug' N Bun in 1998. I came to Indianapolis in 1978 and it was the first place they brought me. I never thought I would own it." he said.

Jo Ellen Dotlich asked the people to stand and fight the for their homes and businesses to keep what they have earned and built. Dotlich plans to fight the SRC until the end even it takes years.

President Vince Noblet thanked the public for the "frank discussion". "We did not want to get into an argumentative discussion about your issues," he said. He tried to reassure the approximately 70 people in attendance that the SRC does not take its charge lightly, and they have spent two years to get to this point. He asked people to look at the plan to see what the SRC is trying to achieve. The SRC's goal is to secure the value and viability of the town.

Noblet showed his frustration of the repetitious questioning from residents if their homes were going to be taken.

"Let's get real," Noblet said to the 10th Street homeowners, adding that the SRC is not going to take homes. Benny Grove said he would go on record that 10th Street homes would not be taken, but that does not guarantee what a future commission would do.