BikePort Saved

The progress on the NIFS BikePort came to a screeching halt on May 23, after a contractor who had donated the labor portion of the project backed out. Unfortunately cuts had already been made to the roof membrane of the NIFS patio previous to this snafu.

"The contractor just stopped communicating with his organization and with us," said Tara Weichel, Communication Director at NIFS and coordinator at NIFS for the BikePort project. "It left the project in quite a bind, so we are extremely grateful to Smock Fansler Construction for deciding to rescue the project."

Smock Fansler has a reputation for helping with projects like the BikePort that benefit the community. Their community-giving includes donating services, volunteering labor, board participation and financial contributions. They also have a great reputation for concrete work in the area, having worked on other greenways trails and constructing many of the concrete retaining walls that are within the park.

Stuart Lowry of White River State Park, and the main coordinator for the BikePort project, was amazed by the quick turn of events. Lowry said, "On the Wednesday after our project began, we found out we didn't have a contractor. By Friday, Smock Fansler had agreed to meet to discuss their possible help with the project and, in a little over a week, the project was back on track! That's an amazing turnaround! Their presence on this project will raise it to a whole new level. Where the former contractor was nervous about the retaining wall construction, it is second nature to Smock Fansler. We know through experience that they will do a great job? "

Barring rain, construction will resume on Monday, June 18, 2007, and should be done in three to five weeks, allowing for weather delays and crew shifts. This will complete everything related to the flatwork concrete pad and pathways.

Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) will continue in their commitment to contribute materials and concrete to the project. The trail portion of BikePort will feature pervious concrete, a porous, environmentally friendly concrete that is gaining in popularity in Indiana and has been used in other states for almost 4 decades.

Because of increased costs, due to this transition of the BikePort project, corporate and individual donations are still being sought to help defray costs for everything that will sit in or around the concrete, such as bike lockers, a unique awning system for the area and landscaping. With the cultural trail arriving into the park in the next several years, and the prominent place the NIFS BikePort holds on the greenways trail, donors will receive considerable visibility from their sponsorship.

A grand opening date is still being discussed for the White River State BikePort at NIFS, so keep watching for more news that will include upcoming festivities.

Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS), another contributor to the project, had offered a bike to be given away at the originally scheduled opening date at NIFS. We will give that bike away sometime this June.

NIFS appreciates the patience of members and clients in our patio's state of transition.

The NIFS BikePort at White River State Park became possible through a partnership with the City of Indianapolis and a Federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) Grant. Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) was a major contributor, along with Smock Fansler Construction. The project was also the recipient of a Facade Improvement Program Grant, which was funded by Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.

NIFS BikePort Partners include the City of Indianapolis; INDOT; IUPUI; Central Indiana Commuter Services; Bicycle Garage Indy; IndyGo; Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.; Mussett, Nicholas & Associates; Ratio Architects; Greenways; and INShape Indiana.

White River State Park BikePort at NIFS is a naming opportunity for a corporate sponsor. Contact Stuart Lowry, White River State Park, for more information at 317.233.2432.

For more information on NIFS BikePort at White River State Park, visit www.nifs.org/BikePort.asp. For more information on White River State Park, visit www.inwhiteriver.com; for more information on Indy Greenways trails, visit www.indygreenways.org. For more information on all Indiana BikePorts, including those at Denison Garages, visit www.inbikeport.org .

For more information on Smock Fansler, visit www.smockfansler.com.

For more information on pervious concrete, please contact Cheri Wagner
at 317.872.6302 at the Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association.

For more information on Cycle-Safe lockers, visit www.cyclesafe.com.
For more information on Clancy Park-by-Phone, visit www.park-by-phone.com.