Indigo introduces ordinance to permit acquisition of land for bus stop improvements and Blue Line connections

Brooke Thomas, Indigo’s chief development officer, presented an introduction of proposed ordinance number 2025‑02 at the Oct. 16 board meeting, outlining authority to acquire property interests needed for local bus stop improvement projects and for the Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit project.

Thomas said the item is part of a two‑step process: the board received the ordinance introduction and will be asked to take formal action at the November meeting. The draft authorizes the agency to acquire portions of or interests in up to 14 parcels (or parts of parcels) needed for local bus stop improvements and for a handful of connecting stops to the Blue Line.

Thomas said acquisitions are expected to be slivers of land, typically to allow a three‑ to four‑foot addition to a sidewalk area to create an eight‑foot boarding pad. She said permanent rights‑of‑way would be transferred to the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works and that the agency would use eminent domain “as an absolute last resort.” A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Thomas said the acquisitions are covered either by the annual capital budget appropriation for local bus stop improvements or the Blue Line project budget. She also noted that DBE/contracting goals do not apply to real‑estate acquisitions.

Because the item was an introduction, the board did not vote on final adoption at the Oct. 16 meeting; action will be requested at a later meeting.