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| Proposed Georgia Street after $12 million overhaul |
In a story which still appears in the on-line edition, the Indianapolis Star invited readers to contact Indianapolis Downtown with suggested names for the three block segment of Georgia Street near Lucas Oil Stadium that is being revamped to the tune of $12 million dollars. The segment will include heated street and sidewalks, as well as a boardwalk and outdoor dining options. Advance Indiana recently reported on the project.
When the Star first put the story up yesterday, Readers immediately began criticizing the cost of the project and offering such derogatory names as "Boondoggle Blvd" and "Pay to Play Way." There wasn't anything offensive in the comments...just criticism of the project. In fact probably 90% of the comments were critical.
Anyone who does not believe the Star has discarded its professional objectivity when it comes to these taxpayer-funded projects to support the downtown elites should take note of what the Indianapolis Star did. They took down the comments and disabled readers from offering new comments.
If the Star's publisher wonders why the paper is losing readers, perhaps it should consider that people do not want a local newspaper that is nothing more than a cheerleader for the elites who run this City.
17 comments:
Surely, you must know that Hoosiers do not have a deep commitment to free speech.
Indianapolis Scar
This is neither new nor peculiar to the Star. Newspapers are reliable establishment members.
Nic,
We have had the LA times and Wall Steet Journal do investigative pieces on Indianapolis. Not all newspapers everywhere are lapdogs of the establishment.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the Star's actions. Does anyone actually like them? There's a survey that Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. Is doing for the re-naming of Georgia Street. One of the requirements is that your name suggestion cannot be the name of a current street. I wrote, and I would encourage others to write, "Georgia Street" anyways. The survey can be found at the bottom of my post, and the "contest" will only go until tomorrow, Sept. 13.
After the "vote" is tallied, it goes to the MDC and if they approve, goes to Mayor Ballard who has the final say. So far, the rumor has it (and how a rumor like this be started for a privateley-done survey that doesn't show what the other suggested names are is beyond me) that the leading names for Georgia Street are "Champions Way" and "Hospitality Boulevard". Seriously, those are the names people have heard are in the lead. Those are the most insipid and boring name changes I could think of.
The lady from IDI who is spearheading this change made a comment saying people in Indianapolis who are on Georgia St. don't feel like they're in Georgia when they're there. She seriously said that, and apparently thinks we're all idiots to feel that way. What's everybody feel like when they're on Alabama Street or Massachusettss Ave? Gee I'm not in the deep South or in New England, so why does Indy have these names?
As a guy who loves history and planning, I find Indy's stupid willingness to change the name of one of its historic streets (been Georgia Street since Alexander Ralston platted the city in 1821) as utterly ridiculous. All the businesses along there will have to change their addresses, which is also a hassle. Whatever stupid name they come-up with, I will always call it Georgia Street.
Here's the survey, write "Georgia Street" if you don't want an idiotic and boring name to replace it:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ W8B3SQJs. Does anyone actually like them? There's a survey that Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. Is doing for the re-naming of Georgia Street. One of the requirements is that your name suggestion cannot be the name of a current street. I wrote, and I would encourage others to write, "Georgia Street" anyways. The survey can be found at the bottom of my post, and the "contest" will only go until tomorrow, Sept. 13.
After the "vote" is tallied, it goes to the MDC and if they approve, goes to Mayor Ballard who has the final say. So far, the rumor has it (and how a rumor like this be started for a privateley-done survey that doesn't show what the other suggested names are is beyond me) that the leading names for Georgia Street are "Champions Way" and "Hospitality Boulevard". Seriously, those are the names people have heard are in the lead. Those are the most insipid and boring name changes I could think of.
The lady from IDI who is spearheading this change made a comment saying people in Indianapolis who are on Georgia St. don't feel like they're in Georgia when they're there. She seriously said that, and apparently thinks we're all idiots to feel that way. What's everybody feel like when they're on Alabama Street or Massachusettss Ave? Gee I'm not in the deep South or in New England, so why does Indy have these names?
As a guy who loves history and planning, I find Indy's stupid willingness to change the name of one of its historic streets (been Georgia Street since Alexander Ralston platted the city in 1821) as utterly ridiculous. All the businesses along there will have to change their addresses, which is also a hassle. Whatever stupid name they come-up with, I will always call it Georgia Street.
Here's the survey, write "Georgia Street" if you don't want an idiotic and boring name to replace it:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ W8B3SQJ
"Hospitality Boulevard?"
Bradley no one would vote for that. You can bet this vote will be rigged. I bet you "Georgia Street" would win hands down. Either that or "Boondoggle Blvd."
Actually, when the Star decides not to allow commenting, they typically remove the "View Comments" link from the article. Seeing that it is still there, my guess is that it's a technical issue. Probably something related to the new Super Bowl page it appears on.
Wouldn't it be better if they had allowed the public to vote on the project and its cost? Creating a contest to rename the street is just designed to keep us busy while they throw our money away.
Rah, rah, sis, boom, bah.
Good point, EH. They did used to have comments though. It does look like they switched it to some Super Bowl page.
I, too, voted for Georgia Street.
I wonder how the IDI folks will deal with reality?
The survey link doesn't seem to work, even when I take the space out of it.
I, too, see no reason to rename it, if for no other reason than all the businesses that would have to replace stationary, business cards, advertising, business records, etc, etc.
It seems more a case of someone wanting to add a line to their resume with a lame accomplishment.
I am surprised the move isn't one of selling the naming rights to somebody. But that may be phase II of the process.
I wish I was joking about the "Hospitality Way", but unfortunately some commenters I have read think it's perfect (it's short for our "Hoosier Hospitality"). Gag. Comments have been 80-20 Against vs. For on the various places I have read the story.
I have no doubt this is rigged. Julia Watson's comments (she's the one from IDI who is spearheading this and is who made the comment about not being in Georgia) keep getting more ridiculous. She made another comment to WTHR saying in Chicago, Michigan Avenue goes to Michigan, but our Georgia Street doesn't go to Georgia. I'd hate to tell her, but 1) Michigan Avenue DOESN'T go to Michigan, and 2) None of our state-named streets (except Indiana Avenue, of course) go to the states they are named after (because that's STUPID to think they would).
I wish she'd stop making moronic comments and just admit this thing is rigged and that they want to have a new name because they've spent so much damn money on Georgia St. and need to pay more people to have it completely re-branded to match their vision.
There's been a growing movement on Facebook the last week to try to stop the change that includes writing various people with the city and with IDI to let them know the foolishness of this contest. With one fell swoop, however, I think it'll happen regardless, just like everything in this increasingly backwater-minded city and state happens without a full vetting.
Sorry about the link not working (I was having technical difficulties earlier), but to get to the link from elsewhere you can go to the Facebook page "Keep the historic name 'Georgia Street' (Indianapolis)" or Aaron Renn's Urbanophile blog (http://www.urbanophile.com/2011/09/10/indy-help-keep-the-historic-georgia-st-name/) to see more.
I know we pride ourselves on "Hoosier Hospitality" but I've found people in many states as friendly as Hoosiers, if not more so. I remember going to Texas and being astonished how friendly everyone was there.
With all the trees and shrubs they are going to install, couldn't we just call it the 'Georgia Plantation'?
DI,
Your idea for selling the naming rights to streets is brilliant! We could raise money for needed civic projects, like repair of streets and sidewalks, or for public schools, or police protection. We would have to spend it fast on those items, however, because once owners of professional sports teams hear the jingle of change in local coffers, they will find a way to claim they need that money.
the one new name for Georgia Street that I could stomach would be "Hoosier Street"
(a definite ix-nay on the 'Hoosier Hospitality Boulevard' bullshit)
otherwise, leave well enough alone!
Please sign the petition to Keep Georgia Street: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keepgeorgiast/
Learn who to write on the Keep Georgia Street Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-the-historic-name-Georgia-Street-Indianapolis/283498898332005
And please spread the word!
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