[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6457801,"mediaKeyId","5827687-06a6fb2453c8ccee1552aea9ed576d67","parentId",5827687,"title","Indianapolis meeting advances plan for restroom pilot on city greenways","audioSeconds",1497,"startMs",1440,"endMs",1499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827687-06a6fb2453c8ccee1552aea9ed576d67&start=1&end=1499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827687-06a6fb2453c8ccee1552aea9ed576d67/thumbnail_1440.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457801/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Indianapolis-meeting-advances-plan-for-restroom-pilot-on-city-greenways","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457801-d7d3c53cbf6088f7d5c77bb99a748d7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972232&Signature=Zz8KoXVhJhJfZ856SQUn2xk-3yUmrlFTmZYDmUO3tgogAaw4-Y-8W3fbHqJ32VrybzTPCim1fqBm1yFbubciqIhCAZzDZowKIBFJdqYk0gl7GiZ7MjlcBEgKAYxpp0sbHPVTi5eZ8rzJlS0fD-8W8zX7gMYJgZWqUZU26KKX4nc5pkVT5flAexbLhreVWeYw8wDoFrTEcnkMUoyl5ycd1ZjbzLvpCc0sr6QJ5Rpr1126H2eepeE2LmtzjEFJ~v0sFf~tUV4GGDEFYVI-Vu9Hf89VtabIQTvOfoOseDhCwHm-YHKOGnVzZvlRkYM6eRbCYHIk1RRkhuTplv8uyBZNwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Indianapolis, IN","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","At a recent Indianapolis City greenways meeting, committee members discussed a proposed pilot to place a portable, full-service restroom along a city greenway and directed staff to gather cost estimates and potential locations.

Committee members said the pilot would aim to test a model that contractors would install and maintain while the city and private partners evaluate logistics and costs. \"Throne does portable restrooms, you know, full service. They put them in. They maintain. They... take care of them,\" a committee member said, describing an outreach to a vendor the group has contacted.

The discussion centered on two practical constraints: the capital and—especially—ongoing maintenance costs. A committee member said a fabrication quote for an owned unit came back \"somewhere around $20,000,\" while the Throne vendor had not yet returned a formal price. Staff reported that the city parks office previously purchased four shipping-container, retrofitted restrooms that are deployed downtown and likely meet local standards.

Why it matters: meeting participants framed the pilot as a way to move from a longstanding absence of restroom facilities on many trails to a measurable test that could be refined and (if successful) scaled. Participants repeatedly emphasized that installation cost is only part of the picture; maintenance and assignment of responsibility are the primary barriers.

Committee direction and next steps included: ask Throne for a formal quote; collect additional cost estimates (including from Indianapolis Fabrications); identify one initial test location (several members suggested the new Nickel Plate trail); consult with Department of Public Works (DPW) and Parks on siting and standards; and pursue philanthropic and other short-term funding to run an initial spring pilot. A committee member said he would \"get with Andre\" to gather Parks contacts and cost data.

Speakers who raised maintenance and equity concerns noted prior city experience with a single restroom at Canterbury Park that later failed, and they said lessons about maintenance responsibility should inform pilot criteria. One participant reminded the group that parks' existing downtown container restrooms demonstrate a model that meets standards but still requires clear maintenance planning and funding.

The committee discussed pilot evaluation criteria at a high level: logistics, maintenance plan, accessibility, and whether a single unit or multiple units should be tested depending on cost and fundraising. Several members urged the group to treat the pilot as an experiment to identify what \"works,\" then hand the program off to the appropriate city agency for long-term operation.

Ending: Committee members agreed to pursue estimates and potential philanthropist funding over the winter, aim for a spring installation, and return with recommended locations, vendor quotes, and draft evaluation criteria.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council of Indianapolis, IN - Greenways Development Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members discussed launching a pilot to place a portable restroom along a greenway, seeking cost estimates and partners while flagging maintenance and funding as key constraints.","taxTitle","Indianapolis City, Marion County, Indiana","taxId",3627,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457792,"Staff report updates on multiple greenway projects; bids and federal funding scheduled for later years",445,2252060,2698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827687-06a6fb2453c8ccee1552aea9ed576d67&start=2252&end=2698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827687-06a6fb2453c8ccee1552aea9ed576d67/thumbnail_2252060.jpg","/articles/6457792/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Staff-report-updates-on-multiple-greenway-projects-bids-and-federal-funding-scheduled-for-later-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457792-e5ae24938a7bd7ce287a3b6ca5e5cc57/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972232&Signature=lP2XPByuAxlzkRkDGnc~AQMMRmiOLAYacHEqT~hGzw56Cl8vALrpNgSn2f-vbJdD0NBGUIbLpEykbawxoL-7aps~k~ci5gYNu0HnCcox6wjf5iHHdWnIu6TE-xEyCqonpaG2NF2zXROGOznL0h-GaZY33wkgHLvs5X6IE4yJeJS3~M~j1k~urPsmTMXbxoKmZI0QQ7g7NqerqqQE7q4Jti2mvq46VikhMoTQubEH4K9jaXi~37jYeR41OuscTQMftTy9tkKQ~TEd19Nz7dIxbdH5PmaGUCWZahNVCAMXNSp~eQGAjrNKjE5RfDX7tgYLpQs~rEzE9xQbhnb23YyG7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the meeting, staff provided status updates on several greenway projects across Indianapolis and summarized next steps and timelines for design, bidding and funding.

Ewing Creek Greenway: staff reported the segment from Crawfordsville Road westward to Washington Street is on track to go to bid in early November, with an anticipated completion date in mid-2027. Staff described at-grade and controlled crossings near the interstate ramps and said the project does not include restrooms.

Grassy Creek Connector: the East–West Grassy Creek segment (from Midhopper to Carroll Road) was described as \"light years ahead of schedule,\" and staff noted an educational center at Grassy Creek will provide a restroom for trail users once the trail opens.

Eagle Creek Phase 3 and other federally funded projects: staff said federal funding through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will support a segment that will not go to bid until 2028, extending the trail south of Washington Street toward the existing Eagle Creek terminus south of I‑70. Another federally supported bridge project over 8th Street (noted as going to bid in 2029) would remove a grade crossing and improve safety for trail users.

Counters and data: staff confirmed the city purchased 14 counters but said they may not yet have been deployed; staff said deployment updates would follow after the next project-bid cycle.

Calendar items and ribbon cuttings: staff announced a B&O ribbon cutting on Oct. 8 at a location near Girls School Road that will complete a Marion–Hendricks County connection, and a Nickel Plate ribbon cutting on Oct. 21 at 2nd and Allisonville Road.

Why it matters: the updates show near-term construction activity on some corridors and longer lead times for federally funded segments; committee members raised restroom and maintenance questions that intersect with project design and budgeting.

Ending: staff said they will follow up with names of project managers and deployment plans for counters, and members were encouraged to contact the MPO or project managers with questions about federal funding timelines.","Staff reviewed progress and timelines for Ewing Creek, Grassy Creek, Eagle Creek Phase 3 and other corridor projects, noting some projects ready for bidding in the near term and others funded for bids in 2028–2029; counters purchase reported but deployment unclear.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457795,"Committee explores a 'trail‑friendly business' program and potential liability shield",486,1609660,2096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827687-06a6fb2453c8ccee1552aea9ed576d67&start=1609&end=2096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827687-06a6fb2453c8ccee1552aea9ed576d67/thumbnail_1609660.jpg","/articles/6457795/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Committee-explores-a-trailfriendly-business-program-and-potential-liability-shield","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457795-0baa9432fff066cb6914ff76b304581b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972232&Signature=X7GvVq9-WJHFmAxvPTMR9mo1LF5DhUM3LMBCaWjrJiEqjD-Xhn~30hCdgFp5c02nWbfPS6CF7Zn3YlmP3OYxzDsOpFEOWCrwPB3UCRwwbglJRsfLPWnljKV0Z9l5IQEbqcFRPzBbKrq~6qxH7p3GI7r~6prRmB9ut1ipO1e9PIrEx5BfivCQg0X2uxgeQnoe-W12EVL6nNmeuKDcqTi5FPveLat78uYCz0q9jm7FJqlaIlm-nMVdscGeZPiidPr8jIidWA3Wgp9FsXqcbcHmeHFxqBYyLeWwkR-eFgZlesUlajUaU1NRYZwioKj9xk3NASXgcLXFVkAZGxEkjP9H~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a recent Indianapolis City meeting, committee members reviewed a trail-friendly business model used in Fort Wayne and discussed next steps to pilot a local program that would pair nearby businesses with greenway users.

A committee member summarized Fort Wayne's approach: the program asks businesses only for basic commitments such as water refill stations and public or accessible restrooms; additional services (bike repair stations, discounts) are optional. \"The only commitment they ask is water refill and a public or accessible restroom,\" a member said.

Fort Wayne's program, run by the nonprofit Fort Wayne Trails, provides free marketing—map listings, app highlights and social-media promotions—to participating businesses. Committee members noted Fort Wayne does not require binding legal agreements; businesses complete a voluntary form. Staff reported Fort Wayne distributes a printed trail map (about 50,000 copies annually) and highlights businesses in a trail app and social channels.

Members discussed how to recruit local, independent businesses versus national chains and considered whether the city should seek a legal or insurance-based liability shield for participating businesses. One participant said he was in contact with a group pursuing an amendment to the state \"recreational user\" statute that would broaden protections for landowners granting trail easements and proposed exploring whether businesses could be similarly shielded. \"I'm in contact with a group that's trying to amend the statute to protect people that grant easements for trails,\" the participant said.

Why it matters: program organizers said the model makes participation low-friction for businesses and can extend trail amenities to users (restrooms, water) without requiring the city to operate every service point. Committee members signaled the committee's role would be to pilot and recommend a model, then hand administration to a nonprofit or a city department.

Next steps: members plan to initiate conversations with local nonprofits and trail advocacy groups to identify an implementation partner and to begin gauging business interest; one member volunteered to chair a subcommittee to move those outreach efforts forward. Committee members emphasized they do not intend to operate an ongoing program long term but rather to develop and recommend a model for the city or a nonprofit to run.

Ending: The committee agreed the low-barrier Fort Wayne model offers useful lessons; members will seek nonprofit partners, continue outreach, and explore the legal question of liability protection.","Members reviewed Fort Wayne's trail-friendly business model, discussed partnering with a nonprofit coordinator, and considered seeking a change to the state's recreational-user statute to provide liability protection for businesses that welcome trail users.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Indianapolis meeting advances plan for restroom pilot on city greenways

Staff report updates on multiple greenway projects; bids and federal funding scheduled for later years

Committee explores a 'trail‑friendly business' program and potential liability shield