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Indianapolis Star
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Retro Indy: Indianapolis heliport was once considered among most profitable in the U.S.
Recent conversations about a major league soccer team for Indianapolis have included speculation about a site for a brand-new soccer stadium. The location city officials have promoted centers around the Downtown Heliport, just south of the intersection of Washington and East Streets, along Pearl Street. Placing an MLS stadium there would force the closure of the present heliport, which first opened more than 40 years ago. Discussion about a possible heliport in downtown Indianapolis began in the middle 1950s, after helicopters started to be more common around the country in the post Korean War era. In 1954, a brief in the Indianapolis Star suggested that '[s]uburban residents will be piloting their own helicopters to work within 10 years.' That same year, the Board of Aviation Commissioners proposed constructing a heliport in University Park in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, just north of the Federal Courthouse. Not everyone was on board with this proposal, with one commentator stating in the Indianapolis News on January 11, 1954, that '[i]t seems too bad that this lone downtown beauty spot — the city's front yard— may have to be eliminated to meet the demands of municipal progress.' It was not until the late 1960s that a heliport was established at the current Pearl Street site. Initially the heliport consisted of only a bare patch of land, formerly part of a railroad yard, with limited navigation and landing guides, and facilities. It was not open to the public and was restricted to mostly official flights. In late 1979 the Indianapolis Airport Authority purchased the heliport site to allow a wider range of flight operations. Zoning restrictions to limit development and building height around the heliport were also sought. The Indianapolis Airport Authority began efforts to obtain federal support and funding for a modern heliport with more established facilities and increased operational capacity. Such a project was approved in 1983 as part of the National Prototype Demonstration Heliport Program, and construction began on a new heliport in the summer of 1984. The heliport was dedicated to great fanfare on May 9, 1985, with then Mayor William Hudnut arriving by helicopter (what else?) and presiding over the event. He called the opening 'a vote for progress, a vote for downtown revitalization.' The interior of the new heliport, described by the Indianapolis Star as 'decorated in shades of mauve, burgundy and gray,' boasted a gift shop carrying a variety of helicopter-related items and a restaurant. In the middle of the heliport's lobby stood a bronze statue of a Vietnam War era helicopter aviator, dedicated on November 11, 1985. The statue bore no rank nor name for its subject, who was said to look as though he was pondering 'perhaps individual and personal thoughts of a soldier participating in a war he doesn't understand in a place he'd rather not be,' the Star story reported. The heliport bustled in its early years, and in 1988 a headline in the Star trumpeted that the heliport 'may be the most profitable in the US.' Sightseeing flights were operated out of the heliport in the late 1980s, with locations including the zoo, Crown Hill Cemetery, and the new Major Taylor Velodrome, among others. In addition to public safety uses, including medical and Indianapolis Police Department flights, the heliport also hosted helicopters for the local news organizations and private businesses, as well as the military on occasion. However, increased operating costs resulted in local news stations abandoning their helicopters by the late 2010's. The police department also ceased using helicopters, and tenancy at the heliport declined. In 2020, the Indianapolis Airport Authority submitted a request to the Federal Aviation Administration seeking release from their obligations at the site and asking for permission to sell the heliport for future redevelopment. In 2023, the only tenant was reported to be IU Health, whose Lifeline Helicopters are based at the heliport.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
2 tornadoes touched down in Indiana on June 18, NWS says. Here's where
Two tornadoes touched down near Lafayette as part of a line of storms that swept across several states June 18, the National Weather Service's Indianapolis office has concluded. The strong thunderstorms that knocked out power across Indiana the afternoon of June 18 spawned two EF0 tornadoes west and northwest of Lafayette as they skipped along a path across much of Tippecanoe County, the NWS said June 19. Most of the damage in the county was from straight-line winds, but the two tornadoes damaged trees and caused minor damage to two houses, according to the weather service. The tornadoes were a third to half a mile in length with estimated maximum winds of 75-80 mph, the NWS said. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tornadoes touched down near Lafayette, Indiana, on June 18, NWS says
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Significant lane and ramp closures scheduled for I-465, I-69 starting June 20
Significant lane and ramp closures on I-465 eastbound may disrupt traffic patterns this weekend as the Indiana Department of Transportation's Clear Path 465 project continues. The closures will help construction crews work on new pavement, bridges and noise walls beginning June 20, according to an INDOT press release. Scheduled closures may take place at different days or times if inclement weather occurs. The following closures are scheduled: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, June 20 The left lane of I-465 westbound from the main interchange to the White River bridge 9 p.m. Friday, June 20 to 6 a.m. Monday, June 23 The Keystone Avenue ramps to I-465 eastbound The ramp to Allisonville Road on I-465 eastbound The ramp connecting I-465 eastbound to I-69 northbound The ramp to Binford Boulevard southbound on I-465 eastbound All lanes except one I-465 eastbound from White River to I-69 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday, June 21 Binford Boulevard northbound to I-69 northbound at 75th Street The left lane from the I-465 northbound ramp to I-69 northbound All lanes except one on I-69 northbound from the main interchange to 82nd Street This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: I-465, I-69 lanes and ramps to close starting June 20, INDOT says
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- General
- Indianapolis Star
From the 20th century to the 2000s, see summer in Indianapolis through the decades
Swimmers pose on the diving platform of the Ellenberger Park swimming pool in 1929. Star File Photo Photo for Century Decades package on the 30s. Toy wagons, boxes, even baby carriages were used to haul home ice bought for only a penny or two thanks to The Penny Ice Fund of The Indianapolis Star and the Salvation Army. The fund, conducted during the summer months from 1931 to 1957, endeavored to make sure no family suffered through hot summer days and nights for lack of ice to provide a cooling drink or to safeguard food supplies. This boy was photographed August 28, 1939 as he hauled away a block ofice for his family. Three delivery trucks made regularly scheduled weekday stops at dozens of ice delivery stations in various parts of Indianapolis. Members of each family could buy 25 pounds of ice for a penny, or 50 pounds for 2 cents. Every family that was provided ice by the fund was investigated by Salvation Army staff members. Photo by unknown Indianapolis Star photographer. STAR/NEWS This June 1952 photo shows nearly 100 children lining up at the Rhodius Park pool on the westside for their first swimming lesson as the Red Cross' "Learn to Swim" program got under way. Nearly 1,700 children signed up for the free swimming lessons at the Indianapolis Parks that summer. Indy Parks opened their 16 outdoor pools on May 29. Robert Lavelle Westlake Beach Club turned into a miniature Coney Island as bathers dotted the beach in 1951. William Palmer/The News Dr. Gilbert Quinn, chairman of the swimming committee at Highland Golf and Country Club, gave instructions from the diving board on June 10, 1951. Son Mickey was the about-to-be-dunked pupil. Herbert Rhodes Fear and excitement register on the faces of these young visitors to the Indiana State fair in 1980. From left are Lori Burgan, Tresa Boucher, Robin Nestleroad, Rhonda Sherron and Tracy Castillo all of Marion. Jim Young/The News Carol Parks Morrison was 16 when she was crowned the very first Indiana State Fair Queen in 1958. Sam Riche / The Indianapolis Star Riviera Club lifeguards Gary Bough (center) and John Pickard (in back) took time out from their summer jobs on June 11, 1960 for a poolside chat with Sandy Hess (left), Marsha Grimme and Arlene Smell (background). The private club, which opened in 1933 at 5640 N. Illinois St., has about 4,000 members and features five outdoor pools, one indoor pool and 14 tennis courts. Bob Daugherty/Indianapolis Star, Summer reading at the N. Eastwood Bookmobile stop in 1962 William Oates/The Star A young couple relaxing in an area park on Aug. 11, 1963 typifies the idyllic pleasures of summer. Joe Young David Brady/Indianapolis Star A midway ride at the Hancock County fair in Greenfield in 1969 stirs a nice breeze for riders on a hot, humid summer evening. Steve Woodmansee/The News Broad Ripple Park pool in 1970. Rides weren't just for kids. This visitor enjoys her ride on the bumper cars during the 1972 Indiana State Fair. William Oates/The Star To these children in the last throes of summer, it seemed the water hose had no end, but it was actually attached to an outdoor faucet at the Raymond Villa Apartments. The photograph was taken on Aug. 31, 1973 as the temperature in Indianapolis rose to 90 degrees. GARY MOORE Here's free enterprises operating at the grass roots level. Eleven-year-old Donnie Barnes of Frankfort has opened a roadside fruit stand at the intersection of Indiana 38 and Indiana 39, about half way between Frankfort and Rossville. Although he's young, Donnie says he didn't want to waste his time playing this summer and decided to make some money. Mom and dad, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Barnes, help out. Donnie will be a sixth grader at Sunnyside Elementary School at Frankfort next year. Photo taken June 15, 1974. Journal & Courier An Independence Day patriotic parade was staged in University Park July 4, 1974 by youngsters from a special summer program at Nora Elementary, 1000 E. 91st. Street. Participating in the festivities were (left to right) Randy Woolma, Clinton Bates and Alfred Patty. William Oates/The Star A warm late-summer day produced this scene on Sept. 18, 1974, shortly after Indianapolis schools let out classes for the day. At one count, 23 neighborhood youngsters jammed inside and on top of the phone booth at the intersection of Washington Street and Butler Avenue in the Irvington area. Frank Fisse / The Star Eagle Creek Park beach visitors on a fiery summer day in 1977 when the temperatures teetered on the edge of 100 degrees. Patty Espich/The News Beating the heat at Brookside Park in 1978. Horace Ketring/The News John Gentry/The News The swimming area at Indiana beach on Lake Shafer near Monticello was packed with people as temperatures and humidity reached uncomfortable levels on Aug. 4, 1983. Gary Moore John Gentry / Indianapolis News Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph had a passion for motivating children. She came to Indianapolis in 1982 for a summer athletics program, then established the Wilma Rudolph Foundation. On July 22, 1986, Rudolph talked with these youngsters at the Outdoor Track Development Program. The following year she was named director of DePauw University's women's track program and special consultant to the president on minority affairs. She moved back to Tennessee, her childhood home in 1992. The died from a brain tumor in November 1994. Gary Moore/Indianapolis News Nothing beats the summer heat like cool treat from the ice cream man like this 1986 photo. The jingle of the music always had kids begging for money for a Bomb Pop, Drumstick or a Dreamsicle. Bud Berry/The Star North Central's Maicel Malone at 17, in the summer before her senior year. Taken in June 1986, Malone had just won the 100-meter dash and 200 in the Athletic Congress Junior National Track Meet at Towson University in Baltimore. Frank Fisse/IndyStar Sergei and Alla Chernysh from Minsk, Byelorussia with ice cream at the 1991 Indiana State Fair. Patty Espich/Indianapolis News 07-31-98 Katie Burris, 9, of Indy, tackles an elephant ear at the Marion Co. Fair. Elephant ears are a constant favorite at fairs in the summer. (Mike Fender Photo) scans 2, fair project Mike Fender/The Star Fans scream as the Jonas Brothers take the stage at the Indiana State Fair Grandstand for a free concert Monday Aug. 13, 2007. Mike Fender/IndyStar File Photo Gene Simmons (left) and Tommy Thayer rock the house during Kiss' Aug. 9, 2010, show at the Indiana State Fair Grandstand. Sam Riche / 2010 Star File Photo A man jets across the water on a Sea Doo personal watercraft at Lake Monroe in the summer of 2001. Fast boats and crowded lakes can spell disaster unless boaters know the proper "rules of the road," which is part of the boater education classes offered by the Indiana Department of Natural Janzaruk | Hoosier Times Maddy Jackson age 4 of Noblesville, jumps off the diving board of the raft to her mom Chris Jackson, at the Beach Bash at Morse Park Beach in 2006. Joe Vitti Indianapolis Star Riders on the Hoosier Hurricane roller coaster at Indiana Beach raise their hands as they start one of the steep drops on the popular ride on Wednesday, May 16, 2007. Andrew Hancock/Journal & Courier Micah Ingram, 6, Fishers, competes in the sack race during the Beach Bash at Morse Beach Park in Noblesville Wednesday, June 23, 2010. (Steve Sanchez/The Star) Steve Sanchez Sarah Chimel, 6, Noblesville takes a turn on the diving board during the Beach Bash at Morse Beach Park in Noblesville Wednesday, June 23, 2010. (Steve Sanchez/The Star) Steve Sanchez Tiffany Johnson laughs with her son Trevor, 5, while riding the Paratrooper at Indiana Beach Amusement Resort, in Monticello, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier People enjoy the beach on the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan, east of ArcelorMittal's Burns Harbor steel mill. Kelly Wilkinson / The Star 2012 File Photo Denise Ploss of Carmel sets her chair in the water to help cool off her feet while beating the heat at Eagle Creek Beach on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. (Matt Detrich / The Star) Matt Detrich Indiana State Fair A to Z - "Y" - The Yoyo swing ride flies into the night on the midway at the Indiana State Fair on Monday, August 10, 2015. Matt Detrich/The Star Even dogs enjoy a dip in the pool in the summer. Here Crosby clambers up from a swim at Plainfield's Splash Island Water Park end-of-the-season puppy pool party. IndyStar File Photo The Indianapolis Indians game on the 4th of July is always a good summertime tradition. This game on the Indians schedule is one of the first to sell out. Here Sophie Putrim, from suburban Chicago, waves the American Flag in the early innings of the Indians game against the Louisville Riverbats. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star David D/Amico lays on a luge outfitted with summertime wheels for a demonstration at Wilber Shaw Soap Box Derby Hill, Indianapolis, Saturday, June 23, 2018. USA Luge is conducting a camp to find prospects that could get an invite to training facilities in Lake Placid, New York for an official tryout. Robert Scheer/IndyStar Summertime watermelon at the National Night Out event at the corner of Alabama and 11th Streets, Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. The annual event which runs on the first Tuesday in August in each state but Texas, which has theirs in October, seeks to bring community, fire, and police personnel together for an evening of bonding. Robert Scheer/IndyStar The sun sets on the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, August. 14, 2024, in Indianapolis. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar The sun sets on the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, August. 14, 2024, in Indianapolis. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Indy 500 pole sitter Robert Shwartzman has pitstop crash
PREMA Racing driver Robert Shwartzman (83) prepares to put on his helmet Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis 500 rookie pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman stood 29th after a disastrous pit stop Sunday on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Shwartzman slammed into some of his pit crew and the inside wall on a Lap 86 pit stop. One of his crew members is taken to the infield care center. Shwartzman requires a front wing change. Advertisement He blamed cold tires in an interview on the Fox broadcast. "As soon as I touched my breaks, my car just go," he said. Shwartzman had a slow first pitstop during a Lap 25 caution. Shwartzman led the first eight laps until Pato O'Ward passed him on a restart. The 25-year-old Israeli was the first rookie to start from the pole position since Tony Stewart in 1996. Stewart moved up one place on the starting grid after pole-winner Scott Brayton was killed in a post-qualifying crash. Shwartzman was the first rookie to earn the pole based on speed since Teo Fabi in 1983. The most recent Indy 500 rookie winner was Alexander Rossi in 2016. Ray Harroun (1911, the first Indy 500), Frank Lockhart (1926), Graham Hill (1966), Juan Pablo Montoya (2000) and Helio Castroneves (2001) also won as rookies. Advertisement This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2025 Indy 500 results: Robert Shwartzman has pitstop crash
