Old storefront may be demolished

7249 N. Tacoma Ave. on the Northeastside

The problem: House has debris, rats and stray cats; dilapidated storefront structure north of the house (above) needs to be torn down.

Who's responsible: The Marion County Health Department has issued a notice of violation to owners Chris and Mary Anderson to clean the property; re-inspection is set for Jan. 28. The department also has started the legal process to have the storefront building demolished. If neighbors have rodent problems stemming from this property, they should call the department's rodent control number, (317) 221-7588.

Update

Location: 4649 W. Vermont St. on the Westside.

The problem: A pothole several inches deep in the driveway behind Thatcher Park Family Center. Other potholes are in the driveway to the rear parking lot; tree branches overhang the driveway, scraping vehicles when they pass.

Action: Paula Freund, spokeswoman for Indy Parks and Recreation, said the potholes behind the family center have been filled. When she visited the park Friday, she found a tree with overhanging branches near the pool access drive. She asked the park's forestry unit to address the problem.

East 56th Street between Emerson Avenue and Binford Boulevard on the Northeastside

The problem: Road surface is rough after several potholes were patched; it needs to be repaved.

Who's responsible: Star Watch has reported the problem to the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.

Update:

Location: 2441 East Michigan St. on the Eastside.

The problem: Severe fire damage to structure and trash in the yard.

Action: The Marion County Health Department has begun the process to demolish house owned by Hauser Properties LLC. The department also ordered its Environmental Control crew to clean the property and bill the owner $100.

3719 E. New York St. on the Eastside

The problem: Burnt-out house needs to be torn down.

Who's responsible: The Marion County Health Department has scheduled a demolition hearing for Jan. 7. If an administrative law judge affirms the order, demolition will be put out for bid.

Update:

Location: 6262 Burlington Ave. on the Northside.

The problem: Trailer with no plate in the backyard.

Action: Inspection by the Department of Metropolitan Development Zoning Division Dec. 30 found a recreation trailer with expired plates. Violation notice was sent to property owner Patrice Brodnik, with re-inspection set for Jan. 18.

Jane Lichtenberg

Bruce DeWitt takes pride in his renovated home in the 1300 block of East 72nd Street on the White River. His park-like backyard faces the river near a dam that drops the water level.

After the dam collapsed several years ago, Veolia Water Indianapolis replaced its wall and built concrete barriers on the north and south sides of the river. The water company owns the right-of-way on both sides of the river, including a strip of land between private properties and the water. Residents maintain this area.

During construction of the dam, Veolia added gravel roads to the right-of-way on the north and south banks of the river. After work was completed, the company restored the north side by adding trees and rocks. The gravel road remains on the south side. DeWitt wants to cover it with dirt, at his own expense, and to re-grade the slope to make grass easier to mow.

He said that young people see the gravel road and decide to explore, ignoring the "No Trespassing" signs posted by Veolia near the Westfield Boulevard bridge. He fears someone may drown while swimming in the water near the dam, which has a strong undertow.

Property owners in the 1300 block of East 72nd Street would like the water company to transfer the strip of land to them while retaining the right-of-way.

Paul Whitmore, spokesman for Veolia, said the access road on the south side of the dam was in use before the reconstruction project, although contractors added gravel at that time. The road provides access to the dam for maintenance and inspection purposes. He said Veolia employees met with DeWitt and another neighbor after the project was completed to discuss why the gravel road needs to remain in place. Veolia agreed to install "No trespassing" signs to limit pedestrian access.

Last week, DeWitt said the signs are no longer there. Whitmore said Veolia will inspect the area and, if needed, install new signs.

Jane Lichtenberg

Last week's ice storm, which snarled Central Indiana traffic, prompted a weather-related e-mail from Star Watch to Steve Hardiman, spokesman for the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. We asked: Are city resources adequate to tackle winter storms?

During snow and ice storms, Public Works employees plow and salt 6,900 lane miles and 375 snow routes, Hardiman said. The salt budget is $2.7 million, up from $1.5 million in 2007. Unlike last year, when the budget and salt supplies were depleted before the end of the season, this year the city's seven salt storage facilities are full, with about 3,200 tons each.

Before and during storms, primary routes are plowed first, but if snow is predicted to fall during rush hour, crews plow major thoroughfares into and out of the city first. Once those are cleared, crews plow secondary routes.

The department does not have the resources to salt and plow residential routes, Hardiman said.

When snow or ice present a safety hazard, Hardiman advises residents to contact the Mayor's Action Center, (317) 327-4622. He said the department will address problems based on their severity and available resources.

3631 Allison Ave. on the Westside

The problem: Tree-service truck and trailer have been parked on residential street in front of this address for about three months. A reader has called the Mayor's Action Center several times to have them removed, without success.

Who's responsible: Star Watch reported the problem to the Indiana Excise Police, which is responsible for addressing illegally parked commercial vehicles.

8400 block of East 42nd Street on the Far Eastside

The problem: Frequent pothole patching has made surface rough; street needs to be repaved.

Who's responsible: The street will be evaluated for future resurfacing when Indianapolis Department of Public Works funds become available.

Update:

Location: 4376 Dunsany Circle on the Far Westside.

The problem: Junk car has been on property for two years.

Action: Inspector for the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development's Zoning Division found a Buick Regal in the driveway with expired plates and a flat tire. A violation notice was issued to owners Charles and Earlee Garrett and the occupant of the property. Re-inspection is set for Jan. 5.

East 56th Street and Chester Avenue on the Northeastside

The problem: Stop/No outlet sign on southeast corner was knocked sideways and needs to be repaired.

Who's responsible: Star Watch has reported the problem to the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.

1125 N. Olney St. on the Eastside

The problem: Vacant house with part of roof missing needs repairs; trash in yard needs to be removed.

Who's responsible: Property owned by Eagle Investments Inc. of Fishers has received a notice of violation ordering repairs; re-inspection is set for Jan. 3.

Update:

Location: East Washington and North Davidson streets at the I-65 interchange Downtown.

The problem: Vehicles headed south on North Davidson Street have a green light to cross Washington Street at the same time there is a green arrow for drivers turning south from Washington onto the interstate ramp. The short merge lane for the ramp must accommodate traffic from Davidson and Washington, causing a potential hazard.
Action: Indianapolis Department of Public Works personnel inspected the signal phasing and said it is functioning correctly and safely. Work on temporary pavement markings should be completed this week, weather permitting.

3615 E. Vermont St. on the Eastside

The problem: Property has uncut weeds and grass, trash and broken windows.

Who's responsible: The Marion County Health Department has issued violation notices to owner Ay Lee Navratil to clean up trash, make repairs and board windows and doors of the house. Inspections are set this week for boarding, Monday for trash and Jan. 17 for repairs.

Post Road update

Location: Post Road between East 25th and East 30th streets on the Far Eastside.

The problem: Orange barrels, trash and tarps were left behind when roadwork was finished about a month ago.

Action: Work on Post Road from I-70 to East 30th Street is substantially complete; crews for the Department of Public Works contractor removed trash and barrels Monday. Work on Post Road between East 38th and East 42nd streets should be completed by Jan. 15.