North-of-Downtown Development Continues

The Tower at Stutz Business Center is the name for a proposed 18-story condo/office mixed-use project to be developed by Turner Woodard.

Located at 11th Street and Capitol Avenue, it'll include four floors of parking, two to four floors of offices at 17,200 square feet per floor and 12 floors of residential condos topped with six penthouses. Completion is targeted in 2010.

A new CVS pharmacy is expected to replace the iconic IHOP on the southeast corner of 16th and Meridian streets in the next year. It'll be across the street from a Walgreen's (of course).

Bike To Work Downtown Friday

Friday (16 May) is National Bike to Work day!

Downtown, you can park your bike in one of 23 free BikePorts (46 bikes total) in the Canal & White River State Park district. BikePorts are secure bike lockers located at The National Institute for Fitness and Sport, Indiana Government Center and Merchants Garage.

Before heading downtown, create an account here. You can reserve a locker at home or on site by calling 888:310-7275. Additional BikePorts are being added to Eli Lilly & Co.'s campus and AMPCO/System Parking at the Chase Tower.

"Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys"

Dr. James H. Madison (left), a professor of history at Indiana University Bloomington, will discuss his recent book, Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II, at noon 21 May in the Indiana History Center, downtown, as part of the "Reading Life" series.

The book focuses on Elizabeth Richardson, a Red Cross Clubmobile worker from Mishawaka, who worked in Europe serving coffee and doughnuts to men going to and returning from combat. Using her diary, letters, paintings, and photographs, Madison shows Richardson's experiences in World War II. Elizabeth was killed in a plane crash over France in July 1945, and is buried at the American Cemetery in Normandy.

Habitat Home & Garden Tour

The Cottage Home Neighborhood Association invites you to attend a twilight reception and home and garden tour spotlighting the creative habitats of Cottage Home, one of Indianapolis's most charming historic areas, next weekend (17-18 May), reports Joan Hostetler.

The weekend begins on Friday (16 May) with an evening reception and tour showcasing the Ruskaup Mansion and adjacent 1870s brick commercial building. The reception features gourmet appetizers created by Indianapolis chef Rebecca Hostetter and music performed by Indianapolis-based trio Tonos Triad and building contractor/harmonica player Joe B. Schwarz.

This year's habitat-themed tour highlights the living spaces of the many inhabitants who live in Cottage Home neighborhood. Tour-goers can view twelve eclectic cottages selected to showcase the creative and diverse decorating styles of our two-legged residents, as well as explore several backyard habitats, our community garden, and new playground. Home and garden enthusiasts will see restorations, completed and in progress, and meet homeowners happy to discuss their home's history and share renovation stories and tips.

Several of the homes have used green building techniques and feature yards certified as Backyard Wildlife Habitats through the National Wildlife Federation. Throughout the weekend visitors can sample fabulous homemade refreshments while listening to live music in the Cottage Home Park.

Tickets for Friday's 6-9 p.m. twilight tour and reception are $35, and include the wine and appetizer reception and a ticket to the weekend tour. Reservations are required by email or telephone, 317:639-2814.

The Home and Garden Tour is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day-of-tour.

For more information, call Maribeth Bailey (317:752-1816) or contact Joan Hostetler, 317:639-2814.

Regional Dance America Mid-States Festival

Indy's right in the middle of the Regional Dance America Mid-States Festival, concluding tomorrow. The "Circle of Dance", held for the first time in Indianapolis, includes classes, lectures, social events -- and evening performances showcasing the member companies, held in the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis.

The Central Indiana Dance Ensemble is the hosting organization.

Peterson Becomes Academic

Former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson has accepted an appointment as a visiting professor of public policy at Ball State University.

According to Ball State, Peterson initially will lead a graduate course in metropolitan problems at the university's Indianapolis Center during the upcoming fall semester. He will also teach a class in community planning on the main campus in spring 2009.

Both courses will be co-listed by the Department of Political Science and the College of Architecture and Planning, include an undergraduate component and be simulcast by closed-circuit videoconference between the two sites.

In addition, Peterson will deliver between two and four public lectures for both campus and community audiences and conduct up to five workshops for community leaders around the state as an outreach effort of the university's Bowen Center for Public Affairs, though the schedule and locations for those sessions are yet to be determined.

Rapid Transit Route Decided?

Central Indiana officials have identified a possible rapid transit route along the northeast side of Indianapolis and will soon begin taking public input, reports Inside INdiana Business.

The rapid transit corridor would run along the State Fair Train route which begins north of Fishers and runs to Union Station in downtown Indianapolis. Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Manager Mike Dearing says the route is already owned by a public entity, The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority.