Indianapolis Business Journal articles from September 2005

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from September 2005

City's mall gamble paid off: after 10 years, Circle Centre at core of rejuvenated downtown.
September 5, 2005... Whatever satisfaction Steve Goldsmith felt in January 1992, when he was sworn in as Indianapolis' mayor, was tempered by a colossal challenge: What should he do with the giant holes in the ground downtown? Under his predecessor, fellow...

State unrolls insurer-friendly plan: new strategy aims to recruit, nurture insurance businesses; watchdogs wary of approach.
September 5, 2005... The state of Indiana is aggressively courting the insurance industry to add high-paying jobs to the economy, a strategy that comes with a touch of controversy. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced late last month the...

Storm's local impact mixed: Katrina's aftermath will take toll on business, but rebuilding efforts might offer opportunities.
September 5, 2005... Hurricane Katrina will be both a curse and a blessing to Indiana companies, which will cope with higher fuel costs and shipping problems but find themselves awash in opportunities to sell materials and machinery for rebuilding Gulf cities. ...

Ancient sport of kings still appeals to Hoosiers: Hickory Hall Polo Club keeps game alive on Boone County farm.
September 5, 2005... The finely manicured field stretching behind Greg and Donna Chandler's home near Whitestown is the first hint this is no ordinary Indiana farm. Its perfectly cut 1-inch-tall turf rescue is evidence it hasn't been grazed lately by the dairy...

Fuel hike might ground ATA plan: fleet-cut savings nearly wiped out.
September 5, 2005... On the expenses line of ATA Airlines Inc.'s battered books, the savings associated with a fleet reduction might have been accounted for as a tailwind that accelerated its flight to financial solvency. Paring 35 of its 82 aircraft in the...

Here's a Blues performance that won't get you down.(BEHIND THE NEWS)
September 5, 2005... Anthem Inc.'s $1.9 billion initial public offering in late 2001 set all kinds of records. It was the biggest IPO for a U.S. health care company ever, and the biggest IPO for a Hoosier company of any kind. But that company, now known as...

Staffing agency seeks bankruptcy protection: Morley Group begins reorganizing $5.3 million debt.
September 5, 2005... The Morley Group Inc., one of the city's largest permanent-staffing agencies, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is planning to sell its northwest-side building to pare debt. Federal bankruptcy court records show The Morley...

Anthem to sponsor Free Thursdays at art museum.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has signed on as the presenting sponsor of Free Thursdays at the Indianapolis Museum of Art through the end of the year. The sponsorship allows IMA to continue offering free admission to both the...

Real estate veteran gets back into sales: Andrew Banister joins CB Richard Ellis team in red-hot market.
September 5, 2005... In the past five years, local real estate veteran Andrew J. Banister has changed jobs four times. With the most recent switch, Banister is right back where he started--with the investment sales team at the local office of CB Richard Ellis....

Indiana Avenue looks for more than history: cultural district faces redevelopment challenges.
September 5, 2005... Broad Ripple has clubs and shops. Massachusetts Avenue has galleries and theaters. Indiana Avenue has history. But history alone doesn't necessarily draw visitors and their dollars, something the organizers of the Indiana Avenue Cultural...

Startup Web venture gives sales reps an edge: Internet forum allows anonymous contact exchange.(WillyLoman.com)(Company Profile)
September 5, 2005... In literature and on stage, Arthur Miller's tragic salesman Willy Loman has come to symbolize the American dream gone sour. But for the founders of locally based WillyLoman.com, an online forum for anonymous exchange of business contacts,...

Easy money from uninsured: health policies that help-barely.(EDITORIAL)
September 5, 2005... WellPoint Inc. and other health insurers have found a new source of revenue: young, healthy, uninsured people with disposable income. It's a ripe market that insurance companies are smart to target, but the strategy doesn't do much to help the...

Connections compel volunteerism.(community services)
September 5, 2005... A kind of convergence overwhelmed me this week. It peaked when I received an e-mail Aug. 30 from my counterpart at New Orleans CitiBusiness. The publisher of the business journal serving the Big Easy was facing the Big Difficult: He was...

Corrections.(EDITORIAL)(Correction Notice)
September 5, 2005... * Emory University was misspelled in a front-page story last week about the hunt for a new leader for the Indianapolis Museum of Art. * Matt Gutwein's name was misspelled in the cover story in last week's At Home Quarterly publication. ...

We need better number-crunchers.(information management)
September 5, 2005... Quietly, the Daniels administration is doing something that may be a historic first: It is trying to improve the information available for administrators, legislators, analysts, scholars and ordinary citizens. It's a big task, with many...

Can I have a bit more government, please?(Indiana political aspects)
September 5, 2005... Indiana has a lot of things. It has a lot of rich farmland, which provides the foundation to make it an economic powerhouse as we look for renewable sources of fuel. It also has a lot of good, decent people who make up the communities where you...

Real estate agents resent column.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
September 5, 2005... On behalf of Indiana's 18,000 Realtors, I am compelled to respond to the [Aug. 29] column by Morton Marcus titled "How home buyers step off a cliff." Unfortunately, after stating that "no one knows" why Indiana has such a high mortgage...

Marsh disappointing Meridian-Kessler.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
September 5, 2005... I'd like to encourage IBJ to look more closely into the Marsh Arthur's Fresh Market development at 54th and College. Much was made of the announcement around a year ago that Marsh was stepping up to develop the former Atlas site. There is...

Mandates spiking insurance costs, reducing coverage.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
September 5, 2005... As the cost of health care in Indiana and the nation continues to rise at twice the rate of inflation, so does the cost of health insurance. Government-imposed mandates on insurance companies, which dictate health conditions insurance companies...

Hilbert case slated for appeals court.(ON THE BEAT)
September 5, 2005... Sept. 8 oral arguments before three Indiana Court of Appeals judges are the next step in the ongoing legal fight between Stephen Hilbert and Conseco Inc., the Carmel-based company he founded. Hilbert is appealing a Hamilton County judge's...

IndyFringe tops expectations.(Indianapolis Fringe Theatre Festival ticket sales)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The inaugural Indianapolis Fringe Theatre Festival, held Aug. 19-28, sold 3,831 tickets to 150 performances by 30 theater groups from around the world. Half the people who attended saw more than one show, according to festival organizers....

Hancock County hospital takes on new identity.(HEALTH CARE)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Hancock Memorial Hospital and Health Services unveiled a new name and logo Sept. 1 in an effort to spice up the Greenfield hospital's image and better reflect the wider region it serves. It will now be called Hancock Regional Hospital and...

VW stars in Indiana-made film.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Volkswagen North America)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Indianapolis film director Joel Umbaugh has paired with locally based Road Pictures to create a short film for Volkswagen North America. The film will initially be seen on a specially designated Web site, www.thereststop.com/game, and continues...

Officials for the Walt Disney Co.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... * Officials for the Walt Disney Co. recently said during a conference call that Radio Disney and ESPN Radio will not be sold. Disney CFO Thomas Staggs said though parts of its ABC Broadcasting unit have been for sale, the profitable kids...

Judge OKs settlement freeing Conner Prairie.(PHILANTHROPY)
September 5, 2005... It's the beginning of the end. Hamilton Superior Court Judge William Hughes last week approved a deal that will give Conner Prairie its independence and at least $94 million in assets as soon as Sept. 30. Indiana Attorney General Steve...

Keystone Grill partner moves across the street to Fleming's.(RETAIL)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... When Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar opens at 8487 Union Chapel Road Sept. 14, regulars of Keystone Grill will see at least one familiar face. Former Keystone Grill Managing Partner Mark Phillips is the operating partner of the new...

The Melting Pot.(Castleton restaurant )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... * The Melting Pot, a locally owned franchise of the Tampa, Fla.-based national chain, implemented a no-smoking policy in its Castleton restaurant Sept. 1, seven months before a citywide ban takes effect. No smoking will be allowed inside...

SBA hosting Lender's Day.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The U.S. Small Business Administration's Indiana District Office will host its Lender's Day 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at its downtown location of 429 N. Pennsylvania St., Suite 100. Small-business owners can apply for a loan, talk...

Colts lease creates silver lining.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Rain may have pounded down outside, but Fred Glass saw only sunshine as he convened Marion County's Capital Improvement Board on a dreary Aug. 30. "It's a beautiful day, as far as I'm concerned," he said before unveiling the long-awaited...

Judge keeps IPALCO case alive.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Participants in IPALCO Enterprises' 401(k) plan who seek more than $100 million in damages they say they suffered when the company stock plummeted will get their day in court. U.S. District Court Judge David Hamilton has denied a request by...

Ent & Imler.(ACCOUNTING)(Ashley M. Apperson and Eric J. Jaske appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Ashley M. Apperson and Eric J. Jaske have joined Ent & Imler as staff accountants.

Just Marketing.(Tim Bumps appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Tim Bumps has joined Just Marketing as the mobile marketing group supervisor.

Fanning Howey Indianapolis.(Appointements)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Wendell Adams, operations manager, and Bill Harmon, electrical designer, have been named associates at Fanning Howey Indianapolis.

First National Bank & Trust.(appointements)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... * Jeff Salesman has joined First National Bank & Trust as vice president, commercial banking. * Don Widmer has joined as vice president, commercial real estate credit administration and head underwriter. The following have been promoted: * Matt...

Janette Koon and Paul St. Pierre have been named to the board.(Heartland Bancshares Inc. and Heartland Community Bank)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Janette Koon and Paul St. Pierre have been named to the board of Heartland Bancshares Inc. and Heartland Community Bank, Franklin.

Day Nursery Association.(Appointements)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... * Shauna Plunkett has joined Day Nursery Association as director at Ft. Harrison, and * Deanna Saylor has joined as director of the Day Nursery State Government Center. * Kathy Klatte has been promoted to director of center administration, and...

Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council.(Vonda Brooks, Caitlin Hoefer, Lucy McGrath appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council have elected the following new board members: Vonda Brooks, Caitlin Hoefer, Lucy McGrath, Myron Richardson, Nancy Riddle, and Doug Shrieve.

Safe Sitter Inc.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFITS)(appointment of Christi Cain )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Christi Cain has joined Safe Sitter Inc. as marketing coordinator.

Presbyterian Church.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFITS)(members)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Judy L. Woods, Bose McKinney & Evans, has been named a member of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

500 Festival Board.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFITS)
September 5, 2005... The 500 Festival Board has elected the following officers: * Al Wurster, Wurster Construction, chairman; Cindy Simon-Skjodt, civic volunteer, vice chairwoman; and Mark Richards, Ice Miller, secretary. New board members are Terry Fadas, AAA...

Brandt Construction Inc.(CONSTRUCTION)(appointments )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Brandt Construction Inc. has added the following: *Lori Holmes, administrative assistant; * Donita McMahon, accounting assistant; and * Chuck Schuster, project manager. * Chirag Patel has been named senior project manager and partner.

Community Development Inc.(Cory Heiny appointed )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Cory Heiny has been promoted to superintendent at the Community Development Inc. property Glen Ridge.

Indiana University School of Dentistry.(Robert H. Kasberg Jr. appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Robert H. Kasberg Jr. has been named associate dean for student affairs at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.

The Indiana University Herron School of Art and Design.(Appointements)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The Indiana University Herron School of Art and Design has named the following: Kim Hodges, director of development; Emily Clossin, student recruiter/academic advisor; Connie Bryant, faculty assistant; Heidi Wurster, assistant to the dean; and...

The Indiana Department of Child Services.(Dan L. Carmin appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Dan L. Carmin has been named regional manager for region 10 at the Indiana Department of Child Services.

General Hotels Corp.(Charles Summers appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... * Charles Summers has been named vice president of operations at General Hotels Corp.

Century 21 At the Crossing.(Appointements)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Century 21 At the Crossing has added the following agents: Emilio Cento, * Scott Nichols, * Catherine Earl, * Maria Swift, * Jerry Jacobs, Sathya Kattragadda, * Rovin Carandang, * David Wilson, * Liz Michael, * Thomas Riddle, * Dawn Dilley,...

Bremner & Wiley.(Melissa Redshaw, Audrey Tucker and Emily Milligan appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Bremner & Wiley has added the following: Melissa Redshaw, property/corporate accountant; Audrey Tucker, development administrative assistant; Emily Milligan, accounts payable administrator; and Jean Brown, office receptionist and secretary.

Lauth Property Group.(REAL ESTATE)(appointments )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Lauth Property Group has added the following to construction operations: * Ron J. Adams, senior project manager; * Shirlene Hyderkhan, administrative assistant; and * Ryan S. Page, project coordinator.

Wheaton World Wide Moving.(SERVICES)(appointment of Doug Robinson )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Doug Robinson has been promoted to manager of agency recruiting at Wheaton World Wide Moving.

Temporary Avenue.(SERVICES)(appointment of Matt Baldini )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Matt Baldini has joined Temporary Avenue as a financial staffing specialist.

Columbia Club.(Eugene Hilliard, Alexandra Puso and Kevin L. Kash appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The Columbia Club has named the following: Eugene Hilliard, rooms division manager; Alexandra Puso, director of catering; Kevin L. Kash, chief engineer; and Rebecca Gruesbeck, assistant director of restaurant operations.

Angel Learning.(SERVICES)(appointment of Ray Henderson )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Ray Henderson has joined Angel Learning as chief products officer. Candice Roberts has joined as vice president, sales.

Microsoft.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)(appointment of Mike Porter )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Mike Porter has been named general manager, small and mid-market solutions and partners group for the Midwest area, at Microsoft.

Moongate Technologies.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)(appointment of Mark Dustman )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Mark Dustman has joined Moongate Technologies as senior solutions architect.

IPS building consensus before building: so far, seeking input from neighbors has avoided major legal fights during $832 million construction program.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING QUARTERLY)
September 5, 2005... A plan to renovate School 57 in the eastside Irvington neighborhood might require the demolition of three nearby homes whose owners welcome the idea. That is in stark contrast to the Meridian-Kessler residents who vehemently opposed a...

Contractors work to resurrect historic church: Buggs Temple being rebuilt from inside out into entertainment venue.(Meridian Asset Development)
September 5, 2005... When a team of developers took on the renovation of downtown's Buggs Temple in fall 2003, most windows in the historic church were missing, the roof was riddled with holes, and much of the sanctuary floor was in the basement. Almost two...

Lumber prices could rise as Katrina increases demand.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... Lumber prices rose the maximum allowed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Aug. 31 on speculation homeowners and businesses will need more wood as they rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, possibly the costliest U.S. storm of all time. ...

Annual awards get new category.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... The annual architectural awards program known as A Monumental Affair will feature, a new category, public art. The deadline to submit entries is Sept. 15. The awards ceremony is set for Nov. 3 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Abdul...

Style show to help building project.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... The Riverview Hospital Auxiliary will host an annual style show Sept. 15 in Carmel to help the hospital's construction of a new emergency center. "Autumn Elegance" will begin at 12:30 at the Ritz Charles, after a lunch that starts at noon,...

Architects from 3 states to showcase work at event: city welcomes AIA's Ohio Valley Region convention.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... About 250 architects from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana will converge downtown Sept. 14-17 when Indianapolis hosts the American Institute of Architects Ohio Valley Region convention. The national association has regional, state and local...

Volvo Rents plans local franchises.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... Volvo Construction Equipment Rents Inc. plans to open six locations in the Indianapolis area within the next two years, the company announced. Better known as Volvo Rents, the company is a division of Volvo Construction Equipment North...

Pervious concrete usage expected to rise in Indiana: product touted as friendlier to environment, developers.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... There's a new concrete in town. And it's designed to help clean up runoff water that makes its way into area creeks and rivers. It's also capable of providing developers with more revenue-generating surface area because it can...

Largest Indianapolis-area mechanical contractors.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... Largest Indianapolis-Area Mechanical Contractors (Ranked by 2004 mechanical contracting billings from local office) MECHANICAL CONTRACTING ...

Largest Indianapolis-area architectural firms.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... Largest Indianapolis-Area Architectural Firms (Ranked by 2004 local architectural billings) LOCAL TDTAL FIRM ARCHITECTURAL LOCAL RANK ADDRESS ...

The world might be flat, but construction costs aren't.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
September 5, 2005... For the most part, construction has been a local story, a story about local workers building buildings in our community. But the story isn't so local anymore. Global economic forces have begun to intersect with local issues at the...

Proper stormwater management saves money in long run; property owners should consider alternative methods for site development.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
September 5, 2005... To save themselves from unforeseen trouble down the road, buyers of site-development and building-design services would be wise to consider the joint efforts of an experienced architectural rum working in tandem with an environmental...

The design-build option bodes well for taxpayers.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
September 5, 2005... In the last legislative session the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Bill 244 to become Public Law 74, commonly known as the Design Build Law. The new legislation established the use of design-build delivery on most public works...

Largest Indianapolis-area landscape contractors.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 5, 2005... Largest Indianapolis-Area Landscape Contractors (Ranked by 2004 revenue from local office) FTE EMPLOYEES: 2004 YEAR-ROUND / ...

Behind the wrecking ball.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)(O'Rourke Wrecking Co.)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... O'Rourke Wrecking Co. of Cincinnati has begun tearing down one of the buildings that occupies land needed for a new Indianapolis Colts stadium. The 85-year-old building, at 225 W. South St., spent most of its life as a warehouse and...

Efficient, tasteful design can help maximize productivity.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
September 5, 2005... Productivity. Comfort. Longevity. While the old saying about location applies to most commercial real estate decisions, the issues of promoting productivity, providing a comfortable working environment and choosing materials that last...

Indianapolis responds to Katrina devastation.(Hurricane Katrina, 2005)
September 5, 2005... Indianapolis may be hundreds of miles from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, but the Circle City is reaching out to its southern neighbors, nonetheless. Local philanthropic response to the epic disaster was almost immediate. ...

U.S. funds ready to recover as foreign party nears end.(stock markets)
September 5, 2005... A bouillabaisse of market thoughts... Chinese IPOs have caused some recent market excitement, and the best fireworks display was by Baidu.com, a Chinese-language Internet search engine that went public Aug. 5. Baidu.com opened at $27...

Strong stocks in strong industries have greatest promise.(stock market)
September 5, 2005... Let's get ready to make some money. I know the cocktail party talk is still centered around the crazy real estate world, but nothing beats the stock market if you know where to go. A lot of investors bought into the media hype about...

Rising health care costs killing jobs and income.(economic conditions)
September 5, 2005... Most of us have been in a doctor's office, and many of us have had conditions that require treatment. But few of us are likely to hear any information presented on the cost of , different treatment options along with their benefits, especially...

Franklin Electric Co. Inc.(sales and earnings)
September 5, 2005... Franklin Electric Co. Inc., 400 E. Spring St., Bluffton, 46714-3798 (www.fele.com) designs, manufactures and distributes electric motors, electronic motor controls and related equipment. For the quarter ended March 31, the company reported net...

Is Google everything it's cracked up to be?(markets)
September 5, 2005... It's often hard to tell what's a gimmick, and what's a real business tool. As I sit staring thoughtfully at Google's stripped-down, Zenlike home page, I can't decide whether it's another Clippy (the annoying animated paperclip character...

Experian acquires Baker Hill.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Aug. 25-Wed., Aug. 31)
September 5, 2005... Carmel-based banking software-maker Baker Hill was acquired by Costa Mesa, Calif.-based financial information services provider Experian in a deal that closed Aug. 31. Both Baker Hill and Experian declined to disclose terms of the deal....

Transportation logistics company to expand at airport.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Locally based Transpoint LLC on Aug. 30 announced it will lease 44,000 square feet of cargo space at Indianapolis International Airport and hire about 250 workers over five years. The transportation company, which provides inventory...

Guidant, J&J merger receives European approval.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Aug. 25-Wed., Aug. 31)
September 5, 2005... The European Union granted approval for Indianapolis-based Guidant Corp.'s $25 billion sale to Johnson & Johnson after Guidant agreed to sell two of its units there. The European commission said the companies must sell divisions that...

Cummins, Swedish firm to make cleaner fuel systems.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Cummins Inc. signed a 50-50 joint venture agreement with Sweden-based Scania AB today to make reduced-emission fuel systems that will meet future U.S. environmental requirements. The joint venture will receive an initial investment of $31...

Indianapolis, Hispanic chambers to consolidate.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The Indianapolis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has become a council within the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, as part of a realignment of the two organizations. Officials with the two chambers made the announcement Aug. 31. The new...

ASMI Mortgage Bankers Inc.(BANKRUPTCIES)
September 5, 2005... ASMI Mortgage Bankers Inc., 7248 Fishers Crossing Drive, Fishers, 46038. Chapter 7 liquidation. Assets: $200; liabilities: $466,666.

Cloud Communications Inc.(BANKRUPTCIES)
September 5, 2005... Cloud Communications Inc., 511 Buffalo Trail Circle, 46227. Chapter 7 liquidation. Assets: $33,780; liabilities: $140,717.