How much empty space is too much? Of 383 available commercial properties in Carmel (0nly 217 were available in March 2019) over 20 are on Rangeline Rd. between 116th and 136th St. alone. That is more than 1 vacancy per block on Rangeline alone. This during what many consider the best economy in our countries […]
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2020’s First City Council Meeting!
On Monday, 01/06/2020, look for the Mayor to be talking dollars and cents ($200M+?) as he has in the first year after every election since 2000. How long will the meeting go? Less than 4 hours would be an improvement over 2016. He knows only a few are paying attention and he is emboldened by […]
Sophia Square seems to be in a death spiral.
Sophia Square: is a smooth landing possible? A “death spiral” is a situation that keeps getting worse and that is likely to end badly with great harm or damage being caused. Currently, Sophia Square has 24 available units out of a total of 202. This is an occupancy rate 0f 88.1% or a vacancy rate […]
Maintenance is Carmel’s Achilles Heel. It is an obvious issue at Sophia Square.
With the elimination of the Clerk-Treasurers office Mayor Brainard has closed the door on any oversight. What we think is important is not as relevant as the actual tenant’s own comments. Here is a sampling: https://www.apartments.com/sophia-square-carmel-in/dxkz8qj/#reviewsSection So why do the tenants complain? Could we find indications of deferred maintenance from a quick […]
Sophia Square – The Promotional Plans
So what is the reality today at Sophia Square on Main Street? Next: We will explore this much-ballyhooed project less than 10 years after this high standard was set in Carmel Citizens expectations.
IBJ Special Report: Former Business Associates Turn On Ozdemir, Accuse Him Of Corrupt Business Practices
Saturday, March 08, 2014 IBJ Special Report: Former Business Associates Turn On Ozdemir, Accuse Him Of Corrupt Business Practices The IBJ’s Cory Schouten returns with another expose’ on the mysterious Turkish businessman, Ersal Ozdemir, who has seized control of the Marion County Republican Party and pretty much gets whatever he wants in the form of […]
PART 2: Just how does Carmel keep tax rates low while spending more and more each year?
In Part 1, we described the delicate balance of municipal government finance – revenues, expenses and the tax base. We also discussed how any increase or decrease in one requires an offsetting increase or decrease in the others to keep thing in balance. Since first elected as mayor of Carmel in 1995 – nearly […]
PART 1: Just how does Carmel keep tax rates low while spending more and more each year?
A major talking point of Carmel mayor Jim Brainard and those councilors aligned within him on the City Council is how Carmel’s taxes have remained low, even as the city and demand for its services have both grown substantially. Even as they make this claim, the city budget — and spending — grows year after […]
$60 million courtesy of Clay Township: Carmel’s debt addiction keeps growing
“Where there is no accountability, there will also be no responsibility.” ― Sunday Adelaja The Carmel City Council has approved an interlocal agreement with Clay Township for the latter to fund $60 million in community projects. In the process, the agreement has raised several eyebrows and many questions. As reported on June 4, 2019 in […]
How Carmel’s elected incumbents can claim the lowest tax rate in the county, yet you end up paying more and more to the city each year
“There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him.” – Robert Heinlein As Carmel property owners across the city opened their 2019 property tax bills, they discovered sizable increases over amounts owed in 2018. With the […]