Indy still deciding on future of BlueIndy sites

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — The city of Indianapolis is moving onto the next steps for the reuse of electric and telecommunications infrastructure left behind after electric carsharing company BlueIndy shut down its Indianapolis operations. The city announced in June a Request for Information (Request for Information) asking for solutions on how to take advantage of the 89 electric vehicle charging stations and spaces.  

The city found that the existing charging stations do not perform well enough to be considered for reuse and that the established power connections offer several possibilities for reuse on a case-by-case basis. The city now says it will not exercise its option to buy the charging stations but will begin a public engagement process for city residents to offer more input on ideas proposed in the RFI.

The next stage will involve surveys, neighborhood engagement and site-based information gathering. The process is expected to begin in October and last through the end of the year. The city will then develop plans for each site and issue request for proposals for specific ideas in the first quarter of 2021. Implementing the ideas is expected to begin in fall 2021 after selections are made and the work is made available for bid.