04/25/2006

Good evening.

I would like to welcome to our Elected officials
Beech Grove Council Members
State Representative Larry Buell
Appointed city officials
Members of our public safety agencies
City employees

A special welcome to our business owners and residents.

And a warm welcome (on this cool and rainy day) to all our guests and members of the media.

This year Beech Grove will celebrate our city’s centennial. This year, we look back at what has been a rich history. This year, we examine our present state as a city. And today, we begin our journey forward…to the future.

Today, we begin to build our vision of a Better, Brighter, Beech Grove.

For many years, the wall in front of us has stood as a barrier. A barrier that has kept customers from our Main Street businesses. A barrier that has prevented more residents and visitors from enjoying the character and convenience of Main Street. But today, this barrier to progress ends.

Today, we tear down this wall and make way for opportunity and growth.

I would like to thank all the business people that are present today. This is our promise to you – to make the necessary changes to give you the opportunity and a chance to grow your business and enjoy many direct benefits of a Better, Brighter, Beech Grove.

And this is just the beginning.

The city is buzzing. There is a new excitement in the air. We are working with designers, architects, planners, and most importantly – citizens: preparing to make this city what it most definitely can, and absolutely should be.

We are on the verge of transforming this community from being just GOOD to being GREAT, rich in history, looking to the future, serving its citizens, and attracting businesses and people to our streets to see the spectacular city that will be a Better Brighter Beech Grove.

It is impossible to forget, nor do we want to forget where we came from. When Main Street was the only prominent street. When Bosma Dairy, the Beech Grove Pharmacy and the Dime Store were our chief hangout. There is a past here that must and will be preserved. The Beech Grove Historical Society is working to forever capture our history for future generations to see.

The Beech Grove Redevelopment Commission is working with me enabling our bright future.

As the Historical Society works to forever capture our important past, the BGRC focuses on our future as a Better Brighter Beech Grove.

Now, I’d like to introduce one of the members of the BGRC, Terry Dilk. Terry has worked countless hours on this, our very first major redevelopment project. Terry and all the commissions members, are committed, as citizen volunteers, to lead the charge to a BBBG.

[Terry Dilk’s remarks]

Thanks Terry and to all the commission members.

Hopefully, by our example today, future generations will be ready to serve, like the BGRC members, and will keep our city GREAT.

This project is only possible by the many partnerships that have evolved. INDOT and the city of Indianapolis have been great to work with.

We have a representative from RQAW with us today Jason Heile.

Jason listened to us as we offered significant changes to the design of the street to make it more pedestrian friendly, to completely remove First Avenue and the barrier wall to Main Street.

We also added a large amount green space and wide sidewalks. Thanks to the folks at RQAW for working closely with our city on this project.

Others with the City of Indianapolis, namely Bob Zieles and Bob Harris were more than helpful with promoting our changes and supporting our plans for this corridor.

And one of Beech Grove’s own, Mike Masterson with Crossroad Engineers helped translate our changes into the engineering plans. Thanks Mike for your input and suggestions.

Also, David Roth from Storrow Kinsella helped with the conceptual design and improved lighting package.

Then, from the conceptual design Kevin Foster and Nola Albrecht from the Schneider Corp took us to the 3D model and then to the construction design for our gateways, landscaping and pedestrian features.

All of these people are great to work with and are making this project event better than we could imagine.

And now, I would like to introduce Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell from Mayor Peterson’s office who would like to say a few words…Steve…

[Deputy Mayor Campbell remarks]

It’s now my privilege to introduce Don Foley from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Don would like to share a few words from the IEDC.

[Project Manager Don Foley, Sr. remarks]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got!

We want more…so we must do more.

Let’s harness our past and our present to propel a grand future for OUR city.

Let’s build this place to be the desire of every family.
Let’s build this place to have a focus on health and fitness.
Let’s build this place to be a center of technological advancement.
Let’s build this place to be a true destination.

My fellow citizens, let’s build this place.

Emerson Avenue is just the first phase of a comprehensive redevelopment of our city. This will be a bridge to a revitalized and booming Main.

Our city park is connected to Main Street. Soon, that park will be connected to our other parks and schools via a 4 mile trail system.

And while we are connecting our parks, we will also be connecting our residents and visitors through The Digital City project – which will put us on the leading edge by offering wireless broadband to all of our businesses and residents.

That’s the direction we’re headed.

Now, let’s go together on this journey.
Let’s build this place!

I am honored that you are here today to share this monumental moment in Beech Grove’s history.

The vision is clear.

We have the plan.

And today is step one.

The future of Beech Grove begins NOW.

Now, Let’s tear down this wall.