Speedway Seeks Control of Main Street

(posted 9.19.09)

The Speedway Town Council passed a resolution September 14 to request the relinquishment of Main Street from the City of Indianapolis. The Speedway Redevelopment Commission has had past conversations about taking control of the street.

According to Councilor Gary Raikes, "This is not new news. It was discussed years ago." He explained the conversations occurred when he served on the redevelopment commission. At that time, the SRC thought it was important to take back control of the road since they were discussing implementing overlay zoning for the area.

Town Manager Barbara Lawrence said it could mean the town receiving a small amount in road tax by reclaiming the road. She said the sum would be a few hundred dollars.

DPW PIO Officer Kit Werbe explained that Main Street is in the city's thoroughfare plan. "Depending on what Speedway wants to do, they can always petition DMD (Department of Metropolitan Development) to have Main Street removed from the thoroughfare plan."

She addd "Indianapolis does not have jurisdiction over sewers in Speedway's sanitary district."

PIO Officer John Bartholomew said the DMD received the request and has forwarded it to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for review.