Area 2 Charette Delayed Again

(posted June 25)

The three-day Charette for Area 2 has been delayed for the second time this year. The meeting was tentatively scheduled for July 30 - August 1. The first Charette was scheduled for April 19 but was canceled.

American Structurepoint Facilitator Shane Burkhardt said the meeting dates would need to be changed because redevelopment commission Executive Director Scott Harris could not attend. The committee was unable to reschedule the Charette at the June 24 meeting due to the inability to confirm dates with Harris until July 1.

During the 90 minute meeting, the steering committee developed 15 different focus groups they think would represent a cross section of Speedway residents and businesses. The Charette will allow public and focus groups to share their views in hopes of revitalizing the retail corridor's 50 percent partial vacancy rate.

Redevelopment Commissioner Bill Jones suggested the youth sports group and high school students participate. Jones also wanted the apartments to be included in a focus group, noting that exclusion would be "unfair."

The steering committee members will recruit members for the focus groups. Burkhardt explained to the steering committee the stakeholder matrix process that they will use to interview and talk to stakeholders. Stakeholders are more than tenants or property owners, they can also be government agencies that regulate businesses, INDOT's involvement with Accelerate 465 and philanthropy groups.

The stakeholder matrix includes questions to assist the steering committee with assessing stakeholders' opinions and reception toward change. "It's is a measure of obstinateness," he said. The steering committee will also assess stakeholders' ability to influence others with political power, money and size of the business. Burkhardt also urged the group to look for barriers as well the "cheerleaders we might want to identify for different parts of the process."

The steering committee will make a list of the stakeholders and submit it by email to Burkhardt . He said the names will also be needed for later interviews or for different public outreach programs.

Burkhardt also discussed the property tax caps that came about from HEA 1001. The tax caps could cause a reduction with local governments to provide services.  This could have "a downward pressure on new economic development because new businesses are going to choose to locate in areas that can support quality of life. If government is not able to pay for government services, that is going to make them consider selecting other areas."