I learned last week that the company attempting to relocate its methadone treatment facility to the shopping center at Hanna and Madison avenues had withdrawn its request to the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals. I believe this was in large part due to the hard work of several community organizations, local officials and the University of Indianapolis.
While many of us recognize the need for substance abuse treatment, the scope of this facility did not meet with the vision and investment needs of this corridor, nor of our community.
As many of you may recall, in July of 2013 a presentation was made to the board to designate the Madison Avenue corridor from McCarty Street to County Line Road as an economic development area. That request was approved, and since then there have been hundreds of hours and many dollars invested to define and attract new investments.
Your local and state government officials have worked to identify areas where infrastructure could be improved as well as opportunity for new investment. There have been successes in filling vacant retail space and bringing new business investments to the area.
UIndy has made major commitments to new facilities and other improvements on and around its campus. This jewel in our community is a great and improving asset and resource.
We are on the verge of implementation of the new Red Line, which will provide rapid bus transportation from Hanna and Shelby Street, through Downtown, to the Broad Ripple area.
I am proud of my friends and neighbors who undertook a calm detailed analysis of this proposal, and after careful considerations agreed that this was not the right opportunity for our community. I think your combined efforts created the right result.
I would encourage all of us to be vigilant as we continue to revitalize our community.
Jack E Sandlin
City-County councilor,
District 24