Revised Rebuild Indy 2 Plan Introduced

The city county council is sending a plan to pay for long term infrastructure improvements around Indianapolis to committee.

A revised version of Mayor Ballard's Rebuild Indy 2 proposal was introduced, Monday.

Ballard’s plan calls for $300 million in spending on roads, bridges, sidewalks, and green spaces.

That's $50 million less than the original Rebuild Indy 2 proposal, but it also requires a loan that is about $45 million less than the initial plan. 

Now, Ballard wants to borrow $105 million.

Republic Minority Leader Mike McQuillen thinks the introduction of the plan is a good start in moving the conversation forward.

"I think the Republican caucus is united that we want to see streets done, major thoroughfares worked on and we are glad to talk with members of both sides to see what the best plan is," he said. 

Democrats contend that Ballard’s plan borrows too much and offered a version of their own last week that calls for $340 million in projects, but borrowing only $70 million.

Republican Councilor Christine Scales is the only member of her party not to sponsor the Mayor’s proposal.  She says there are aspects of it she likes, but talks about why she is encouraged by the Democrats' plan.

"I like the fact that we are taking out less debt, that we are going to have less assessment of debt over time," said Scales.  "I like the fact that councilors are going to be more in control over what projects will be done in their district.  There are a lot of details in their (Democrats) plan that I like."

Democrats also want to use $45 million in Tax Increment Financing money for road projects, which concerns McQuillen.

"My understanding in talking to a couple of Democrat members is they are going to try to justify that money will be spent in the general downtown," said McQuillen.  "But, that still provides the question as far as taking the money out plus there has to be at least ten-percent in that fund, I believe.  So, there are some legality questions there."

Scales hopes the final version combines ideas from both plans and says the city has time to go through that process.

"We do have about $111 million that are being spent, and have already begun to be spent this year, in road resurfacing projects, sidewalk projects that are going to continue to be spent as the season continues," said Scales.  "It's not like nothing is being done.  We are doing work on the roads.  It's just whether the long term, making sure that they are going to be approved for the future."

Mayor Ballard’s Rebuild Indy 2 proposal now goes to committee where it is scheduled to be heard July 8.