Public Art Activist calls it a “Job Well Done”

By: Jeff Miller

The Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND) organization has had the goal to “Identify and establish sites for public art and to maximize the benefit of the community’s existing non-park public space” for many years. But like any goal, getting it accomplished takes dedicated people with a passion to see it happen. Susan Beauchamp fits that description perfectly. She has been part of the SEND Public Space Committee, and specifically served as the chairperson of the Public Art sub-committee, for over seven years. And so much has happened during that time.

One of the most visual things that Susan’s sub-committee accomplished is of course working with the city to create the beautiful gateway structure that sits on Virginia Ave. Other achievements of the sub-committee include adding several new murals (along with the establishment of suggested guidelines for all temporary art), promoting artwork, such as the horse that proudly stood on display on the Bates-Hendricks esplanade, putting on two Art Parades through Fountain Square and Fletcher Place, and the formation of the Fountain Square Arts Council (FSAC). Additionally, the sub-committee has helped identify locations for future pieces of artwork, applied for grants for art, established a great relationship with the Cultural Trail team (particularly Mindy Taylor Ross who is in charge of public art along the trail) and inspired so many others with a passion for all things art.

It was the formation of the FSAC that finally led Susan to feel it was time to say “Mission Accomplished” and step down in her role as head of the Public Art sub-committee. With all the great work that the FSAC has done and will continue to do, Susan sees an opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the art she has helped create in the area. Now, being a very humble spirit, Susan would quickly say that it wasn’t her that did these things, but a team of individuals who all worked together to make it happen. And while she would of course be correct, none could question that Susan was the heart and soul for years who had the passion to see these things come to fruition. And for this, we say “Thanks, Susan!” The area is a much more culturally rich place because of all you have done. And for that, we are very grateful.

Everyone must do their part to improve our Infrastructure

By: Jeff Miller

SEND is currently coordinating a large-scale infrastructure assessment of the nearly 900 blocks in the Southeast area. This assessment includes looking at the condition of our sidewalks, roads and alleyways. It involves making note of missing ADA ramps onto our sidewalks, sunken or collapsed storm drain sewers, dangerous IPL poles, and any other safety concerns. Thanks to the attention this assessment has achieved with our city councilors and with the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Southeast area is slated for repairs on many of our most troublesome areas.

However, it is important that we realize that improving and protecting our infrastructure is everyone’s responsibility. While the city needs to address the items mentioned above, each resident needs to do their part. Not everyone realizes that legally each person is responsible to maintain the area from the middle of the street in front of their house to the middle of the alley behind their house and everything in between.

Most people realize the need to mow their lawn and shovel snow from the sidewalks in the winter, but it is also our responsibility to cut down weeds in our sidewalks, street gutters and alleys. We need to turn in potholes to the city, which can be done via the Mayor’s Action Center at 327-4MAC. When it comes to storm drains, it is our responsibility to keep them clear of debris so that water won’t back up onto our streets but will instead safely flow down into the drains. The picture below shows a storm drain that is dangerously close to becoming blocked. When this happens, water flows down our streets and over time weathers our roads and causes the need for expensive and preventable infrastructure repairs.

If we as residents don’t do our part, it increases the expense for the city to maintain our infrastructure. Ultimately this will result in higher taxes for the city to pay to do the things that we are responsible for doing. Instead, if we could all take the time to be responsible for the infrastructure around us, it will serve to show the city that we are willing to partner with them in the mission to make our neighborhoods a safe place to live, work, and play.

Just How Dis-shoveled Are You?

By: Richard Campi

This certainly has been a very cold January and part of February. Those of us that felt we really should have some snow finally got it! This is to the peril and dismay of most of the ones who do the shoveling and drive very far. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was pleasantly surprised that the city of Indianapolis, through the news media, asked that the populace shovel the sidewalks, etc. This is required by ordinance and I hope that many of you able-bodies did your duty and good deeds and did shovel your walks.

I know that this is repetitious to many, but we as property owners are responsible by thought and law to remove any debris from the walk, street and alley adjacent to our properties and to halfway across. It would help if renters as well as passersby would “lift a finger” or at least some trash when one sees it. Ask for more public trash receptacles in heavy pedestrian areas and “Pitch IN!”

There is a plan in progress to assess the quality or lack thereof of our streets, sidewalks, storm sewers, tree lines, posted signage, street lights, etc. This is to being done by residents street by street throughout the southeast of Indianapolis. This survey will be submitted to the City of Indianapolis to assist in prioritizing repairs. Surveyors will receive $12.50/hour to do this job in the spring. If you wish to assist, contact Jeff Miller at 917-0545 or jeff03167@indy.rr.com. If you wish to learn more about your neighborhood, attend your neighborhood association or contact them for more information. A listing of these meetings is in this paper.

Richard Campi
866 Fletcher Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46203
317-634-2448
beauartnow@yahoo.com

The SEND Website has lots to offer

The SEND Website has lots to offer

By: Jeff Miller

If you are looking for a bountiful resource of information on what is happening in the greater southeast side, make sure to check out http://www.sendcdc.org/publicspace.html . SEND is very well known for its economic development initiatives, housing programs, and of course Fab 4 Less. However, what has become a major focus in recent years is public space. And the website is a great way to learn about all of the initiatives being undertaken. In particular, you can learn about the following:

• Infrastructure Assessment: We are undergoing an area-wide survey of our streets and sidewalks. Currently, you can view info on the SECO area which was the pilot site. More info will be added as the survey continues.
• Neighborhood Resource Guide: This document contains contact info for all of the organizations you need to know such as Health and Hospital, Keep Indy Beautiful, Recycling locations, Police, Zoning, etc.
• Master Plan: This valuable map of the area shows Bike Routes, Greenways, the upcoming Cultural Trail, possible locations for Public Art, and current IndyGo Bus Routes. This allows us to plan for the future needs of the area.
• Engagement Map: Our most valuable asset is without a doubt the people that call our neighborhoods home. This map is a visual representation of all registered neighborhood organizations, block clubs, crime watches, etc in the SEND area.
• Maintenance Plan: The maintenance plan facilitates a regular inspection process to ensure proper maintenance is occurring on our streets, sidewalks, sewers, and other public facilities. Our goal is attractive, well-maintained public spaces that serve as a source of community pride.
• Pleasant Run: An amenity that slowly meanders through the SEND catchment area is the Pleasant Run Greenway. Watch for beautification efforts to continue in the future, as our goal is to make the trail something that people are proud of and consider a true asset to the community.
• Public Art: Art and culture are two of the defining elements of the Southeast Side. There are two key groups that are focused on making our area an artful destination: The Public Space Art Sub-Committee and the Fountain Square Arts Council (FSAC). These groups are truly making a marked impact on the area.

So if any of these items seem interesting to you, then visit the website to learn more. Or, better yet, come to a monthly Public Space meeting. They happen every first Tuesday of the month at the SEND headquarters (1030 Orange Street) at 12:00 pm. You can contact Public Space Chairman Jeff Miller at jeff030167@indy.rr.com or 917-0545 for more details. Together, we can make the Southeast side a better place to live!

It is easy being green

It is easy being green


By: Jeff Miller

With all due respect to Kermit, being green is not only becoming the popular thing to do, it is also becoming easier by the day. When I was a young boy, I read the 1972 children’s book “Who Wants A Pop Can Park”, which used creative ways to explain the reasons we should throw our pop cans in the trash rather than litter. It left an impression on me that we need to take care of our world because it is our responsibility. I have now realized over the following years that it may be more than a responsibility, but instead a necessity.

There are several fantastic resources on the internet that help give ideas on how we can make a difference:
The 20-minute internet movie “The Story of Stuff” is a fast paced, often humorous film that examines the social, environmental and global costs of extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. From the limited life cycle of personal computers to changes in footwear fashion, the story demonstrates that products are either designed to be regularly replaced or to convince consumers that their stuff needs to be upgraded. This notion of planned and perceived obsolescence drives the machine of American consumerism year round. This excellent video can be viewed at www.storyofstuff.com.
There are several tips for taking action after seeing “The Story of Stuff.” One takeaway is to realize that recycling doesn’t get to the core of the problem. Why? Because it can take 70 bags of garbage to produce what we see at the store. Thus, it isn’t enough for us to simply recycle what we use. It is important to be sure, but reducing and reusing are even more important. More tips can be found at www.storyofstuff.com/pdfs/annie_leonard_taking_action.pdf.
To get a good idea of our personal impact on the world, take the Ecological Footprint Quiz http://www.myfootprint.org/ and discover ways to live toward sustainability.
Examine the benefits of taking up or enhancing simple living. Since 1996 The Simple Living Network has been providing resources, tools, examples and contacts for conscious, simple, healthy and restorative living. The websites are www.simpleliving.net and www.simpleliving.org
Visit Keep Indy Beautiful’s excellent website and learn about recycling options, waste reduction and tree planting at www.kibi.org.
Consider constructing a Rain Barrel to capture and reuse this great natural resource. The internet has many great websites for how to build a rain barrel.

As a final reminder of our responsibility, even Disney Pixar is getting in the game. I am quite happy that my 2 1/2 year-old son's favorite movie right now is Wall-E, which has a fantastic message about the importance of protecting our environment. The DVD even comes in an environmentally friendly package. The take away is that we all have a responsibility to care for our world. Even small steps make a difference. As I learned as a young boy, if everyone thinks that tossing their one pop can on the ground doesn't really hurt anything, then before long we are all living in a pop can park.

Pleasant Run Beautification

Pleasant Run Beautification

By: Jeff Miller

Furthering one of the goals set forth in the Southeast Quality of Life Plan, the SEND Public Space committee hosted the sixth beautification effort in the last two years along the Pleasant Run Trail on Saturday, September 20th. Three of the six events have been managed by the Public Space committee, and the other three have been partnerships with either the Lilly Day of Giving or the White River Clean-up. The efforts have each taken place at different locations along the trail, and this one started at Pleasant Run Parkway and Prospect and then moved West along the trail all the way to Villa Ave. This location was chosen due to the involvement of the Villa Baptist Church, located at 2650 Villa Ave. The church contributed 6 volunteers from the congregation to help out. Also lending a hand was the Mary Ann Sullivan campaign. Running for House District 97, Mary Ann has gotten involved recently in the Public Space efforts. The total volunteer count for the day was 14, with Portia Haugen, Jeff Miller, Jonathon Mirgeaux and Kelli Safford from the Public Space committee all lending a hand. The activities focused on trash pickup along the trail and down in the streambed and also cutting back invasive species along the trail. “It has been great to see how the six beautification efforts over the last two years have really made a difference”, said Jeff Miller, Public Space Chairman. “I can remember spending two solid hours in about a ½ block area during our first effort last year, due to the high volume of litter. Now we are really seeing progress and the trail looks so much cleaner and more friendly.” A huge thanks to Indy Greenways, which has really stepped up efforts by having Community Courts workers pick up trash along the trail throughout the year. And of course none of this would be possible without Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, which provides gloves, bags and dumpsters. Watch for more such beautification efforts to come in 2009. The overall goal is to make the trail something that people are proud of and consider a true asset to the community.