Great Indy Neighborhoods: Publications


Neighborhood Resource Guide	< Back to Table of Contents

8. Environment
Healthy communities manage and invest in local properties and the common environment to maintain the community’s aesthetic and physical quality.

QUESTION - Who can help improve the appearance of our community?
ANSWER - City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, Division of Compliance Division of Compliance is responsible for enforcing land use requirements and promoting responsible development. It issues licenses to individuals and businesses engaged in construction activity, issues permits, conducts inspections, and takes other appropriate actions to secure safe construction and assure maintenance of existing structures. Contact 327-8700 or http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DMD/Compliance/home.htm.
ANSWER - Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) KIBI provides financial resources, manpower through volunteer recruitment, and expertise in planning and executing beautification and neighborhood improvement projects. KIBI partners with neighborhoods, schools, businesses, nonprofits, and the City. Private contributions enable KIBI to get discounted supplies like tools, equipment, paint, trash bags, trees, flowers, etc. Visit http://www.kibi.org/.
ANSWER - Marion County Health Department, Housing and Neighborhood Health The City of Indianapolis contracts with the Health Department to protect public health and safety and reverse neighborhood deterioration through the housing and sanitation code inspection program. It ensures that vacant properties are boarded up, repaired, or demolished according to state laws, using Marion County's Environmental Court when necessary. The Department also enforces illegal dumping laws and handles hotel/motel and mobile home inspections. Contact 221-2150 or http://www.hhcorp.org/.
ANSWER – Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District The District provides technical, financial, and educational services to help land users conserve soil, water, and related natural resources. The District provides free conservation technical assistance on: conservation planning, erosion & sediment control, drainage & water management, streamside stabilization, streamside buffers, pond management, wetland development, tree & shrub planting, backyard conservation, wildlife habitat, conservation education, and site development advice. Visit http://www.marionswcd.org/.
ANSWER - Mayor’s Action Center (MAC) Citizens can report abandoned vehicles, vacant lot and animal control issues, and other problems to the MAC. Contact 327-4MAC (4622) or http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Mayor/mac.htm.
QUESTION - How do we request curb and sidewalk improvements in our neighborhood?
ANSWER - City-County Councilors Contact your city-county councilors about sidewalks and other important neighborhood issues. Find out which city-county councilors serve your area at http://imaps.indygov.org/GovntProfile/.
ANSWER - Mayor’s Action Center (MAC) Citizens can request curb and sidewalk improvements through the MAC. However, the need for services far exceeds available funding. Neighborhood groups have been asked to help the City determine improvement locations by providing a neighborhood priority list. Therefore, it is important for the neighborhood to work together, often through the neighborhood association and city-county councilor, to prioritize needs. Contact the MAC at 327-4MAC (4622) or http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Mayor/mac.htm.
QUESTION - How can my neighborhood keep up-to-date on new developments in the area?
ANSWER - City of Indianapolis, Division of Planning Community organizations registered with the City are notified of public hearings relating to liquor licenses, rezonings, variances, special exceptions, approvals, administrative appeals, plat approvals, and street, alley, and plat vacations within their community. The Registered Organization data base is also used by City agencies and others to provide the community with information regarding upcoming projects and events such as infrastructure projects, neighborhood clean-ups and community meetings and celebrations. You can view and search the list of organizations, download information to print labels or perform mail merges, and download the Organization Registration Form to register a new organization or update changes to an existing organization at http://imaps.indygov.org/RegOrgs.