Calendar and Commercial Parking

The most recent projects of the Southeast Learning Partnership, SELP, concern the community calendar and a survey of parking in the Fountain Square commercial district. The calendar, funded by Making Connections Indianapolis, provides an up-to-date resource for regular and special events in the Southeast area of Indianapolis. Listed events include monthly neighborhood meetings, educational courses, and special activities for children and families. Although Making Connections Indianapolis has managed the community calendar in the past, SELP, whose members are residents/partners in this area will be publishing the resource now. The calendar benefits many groups in the southeast. Community organizations receive free marketing for their events, and the printed version of the calendar can be especially useful for residents who don’t have consistent access to the internet. The calendar is published every month. Those who wish to submit information for the calendar should contact Scott at southeast.community.calendar@gmail.com. Pick up copies of the community calendar through out the commercial district along Virginia Avenue, Shelby Street, Prospect Street, East Street, State Street and the Twin Aire retail strip. Copies will also be sent to schools and Neighborhood Association Presidents as well as Garfield and Bethel Park.
Southeast Neighborhood Development Corporation, (SEND) requested the survey of parking available in the Fountain Square commercial district. The survey provided counts and categorized the supply of parking available in the area. The survey will be incorporated into a larger parking study by Development Concepts, Inc. (DCI) to better use existing parking and to plan for future demand.
The study will:
· Identify where additional parking is needed and can be accommodated.
· Assist to reduce parking conflicts between the Fountain Square commercial district and surrounding neighborhoods.
· Benefit the overall area by increasing attractiveness to business, patrons and residents.
· Identify a strategy for implementing a comprehensive parking strategy for Fountain Square.

This project was completed over several days in the middle of February 2010. Generally parking on-street, off-street, and in private/restricted areas were counted along Virgina Avenue from the Interstate to the fountain, along Shelby from Pleasant Street to the Interstate overpass, along Prospect Street from the Interstate to State Street, and along Woodlawn Street. The results numbered 2,961 parking spaces in this area. For more information about the use of this project, contact Bryan Conn at SEND. This project fits into SELP’s purpose through the organization and collection of data.
The SELP meets on the second Monday evening of every month at 5 PM on the second floor of the SECS building at 901 Shelby St. All people interested in the progress of Southeast Indianapolis are welcome to attend. Snacks and childcare are provided. For more information, contact Jerry Keys, chairperson at southeastorganizer@gmail.com.

By Susan Beauchamp
beauartnow@yahoo.com