Institute for Justice Rallies to Assist SPEED

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Christina Walsh
Photo by Linda Karn

(posted Mar 6)

SPEED's (Speedway People Encouraging Equal Development) plea for help over the methods proposed to redevelop the town was finally heard. Christina Walsh, Director of Community Organization for the Institute for Justice, flew in from Virginia for the March 4 meeting to listen to residents and businesses owners' complaints, fears and anger over their inability to find a common ground with the Speedway Redevelopment Commission.

Approximately 30 people attended SPEED's monthly meeting, including activist attorney Paul Ogden, who fought the Capital Improvements Board over selling the RCA Dome Seats. Merri Anderson, president of Greater Garden City Civic Association, Gasoline Alley developer Charlie Patterson and other Gasoline Alley business owners were present because of the SRC's plans to close Georgetown Road and Grande Avenue. Regional representatives from Hardees were present because the Area Two acquisition list public hearing is set for March 16th. Hardees is one of the properties on the list.

Walsh explained the Institute for Justice is a public interest law firm that basically sues the government for condemning property for private development. She described some eminent domain abuse practices that include getting rid of less desirable homes, claiming they are "dragging down the community." "The terrible message we have is if they can do this to me, if they can condemn my property which is fine, who is going to stop them from coming after you next," Walsh said.

SRC Executive Director Scott Harris and President Vince Noblet attended the meeting, but were asked to leave for a closed session, so Walsh could hear from affected parties how they are being "harmed." Noblet wanted to stay in case he could answer questions so people did not have to rely on "word of mouth" information. He encouraged people to contact them to clear up any "misinformation."

Jo Ellen Dotlich of SPEED reminded Harris and Noblet that she is not allowed to attend the SRC's executive sessions.

Dotlich emphasized again that SPEED is not against the redevelopment, but the manner in which it is done.

Walsh said that dozens and dozens of redevelopment projects are "pie in the sky" that never come to fruition. She said the homes that were taken in the Kelo vs New London Supreme Court decision are gone, all that remains is a vacant swamp. "The developer balked and walked."

The Institute for Justice took the case to the Supreme Court that ruled in a 5-4 decision that taking property for economic development is a public use because it expands the tax base.

Walsh said the public was outraged by the decision and 43 states passed laws restricting eminent domain so government cannot take private property to give to another private development. What is occurring now is municipalities are working around the state laws by land banking under the guise of public benefit, but it eventually ends in the hands of another private entity.

SPEED members are fearful that the same thing will happen to them, that their businesses and livelihood will be condemned and nothing will happen because currently the SRC has not identified any new businesses coming, other than the Central Utilities Complex.

Dotlich contends information provided by the Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association for the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center's March / April newsletter supports taking property for private development. "The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hoping to complete 16th St. redevelopment before 2011, their centennial anniversary."

Nancy Back, owner of Lyndhurst Lawnmower, said that closing Grande Avenue would hurt her business at 4220 Michigan Street. She said the SRC has jurisdiction in Speedway and is stepping outside the town limit because Plant 14 is in Indianapolis, not Speedway. Allison Transmission's purpose to close Grande Avenue is for Plant 14 security reasons.

Back is also facing another hardship. She said five years ago the city came out to examine Michigan Street and Grande Avenue intersection for improvements that are occurring now. The plan will close two existing entrances into her business, thus making truck deliveries impossible.

She said if Grande is closed, Allison and SRC said the trucks could unload in the street to make deliveries and then back out into the intersection. She thinks the plan is more of a land grab by the town of Speedway than actual security issue for plant 14. Back said earlier conversations with the SRC consisted of offering to move her business to another location, but those talks broke off. She said the SRC is not moving them because her business is outside the town limits.

The Grande Avenue public hearing may be continued to April 8. Back had an opportunity to view Allison's new road design at the meeting. Allison submitted the plan to handle truck traffic entering its premise.

Back also talked about intimidation that was occurring. She was one of the businesses that received a phone call to quit advertising in the Speedway Navigator or her business would be boycotted. The boycott involved Lisa Edington and Jerome Noblet, brother of Vince Noblet.

Members were also skeptical about the SRC's plan to create Speedway as a destination spot.

Kyla Griesemer, who works for a major hotel chain, said it is difficult to build tourism around a seasonal state. She said people who ask about the IMS usually just want to drive by on their way to other downtown activities.

Anderson, who works as a tour guide, called Indianapolis a "bathroom stop" and said "it is not going to change" because of the interstate system.

Petitions were circulated requesting that stimulus money not to be dedicated for road realignments, the extension of Holt Road, or a linear park because the plan dislocates residents and businesses.

Ogden encouraged people to attend the March 25th Revolt at the State House rally and requested a SPEED representative share a story at the rally. The rally is designed for taxpayers' voices to be heard by elected officials.

Ogden explained that SPEED's problems are similar. "We are seeing this all around the county. You have these boards set up that are isolated from politics."