Sparks fly over service's prime parking spaces

INDIANAPOLIS -- Avid support from Republican Mayor Greg Ballard made this city seemingly ideal for the U.S. launch of Bollore Group's BlueIndy electric vehicle ride-sharing service.

Asked why his company chose this conservative Midwestern city instead of some coastal metropolis, Cedric Bollore, vice president for development for the suburban Paris conglomerate, says: "I think we chose each other. Mayor Ballard was really enthusiastic. He was so enthusiastic it went faster than it may have in other cities."

But the speed of the rollout has caught many off guard as BlueIndy cars and charging stations have begun popping up around town -- and occupying dedicated parking spaces.

The service has been embroiled in controversy since its Sept. 2 launch. Some members of the Indianapolis City-County Council charge that Ballard exceeded his authority committing $6 million in city funds to the new service, which started with a fleet of about 50 cars but is to grow to 500 or more.

On Sept. 14, the council voted to tow the small electric hatchbacks from prime parking spots on Washington Street downtown. Ballard's office countered by saying the cars are "legally parked." Other critics charge that the city could better spend the money it is putting into BlueIndy on new buses or police pursuit vehicles.

One resident angry about the program is an EV advocate. Restaurateur Martha Hoover might seem a natural BlueIndy supporter. She and her husband own two electric cars: a Tesla and a Nissan Leaf. But Hoover is angry because the city allocated five prime parking spaces at her Cafe Patachou for BlueIndy cars and accompanying charging stations.

"I'm not happy BlueIndy was able to usurp five prime parking spaces in an area known for having parking issues," Hoover says of the spaces in the trendy Meridian-Kessler neighborhood north of downtown. "It's not like I'm against the technology." But she says BlueIndy has done a "bad job" selling its product.

Chas Navarra, a health care worker and resident of a downtown apartment complex that was converted from a historic church, started a Facebook page called Stop BlueIndy NOW. Navarra feels the mayor rode roughshod over the public in a rush to get his pet project rolling.

"All free parking spaces [next to the building where he lives] were confiscated from the public domain and given to a rental-car company," says Navarra, who calls himself a "constitutional conservative" who usually votes Republican.

Scott Prince, BlueIndy general manager, counters: "This is not a car rental. It's a ride share."

Jen Pittman, spokeswoman for Ballard, says of the parking spaces: "We got a healthy mix of opinions. Some were annoyed they were getting stations in front of their shops. Others were annoyed because they weren't getting stations in front of their shops."

Indeed, Leesa Smith, owner of the Nestle Inn, a six-room bed-and-breakfast near the bustling downtown, welcomes BlueIndy, even though it is taking five parking places adjacent to her business.

"I just thought [of BlueIndy] as another amenity for my guests. They might be able to fly in and not rent a car," she says. "I'm marketing it to my guests."