City-County Council Gets COVID-19 Update, Advances Purple Line Work

The full Indianapolis City-County Council met Monday night and recieved a COVID-19 update from business and community leaders. 

United Way of Central Indiana President Ann Murtlow says a local economic fund has granted nearly $12 million and is preparing to announce another round of support with two areas of need top of mind.

"Evictions in the face of growing unemployment and the need to reopen child care to support the reopening of the economy," says Murtlow. 

The Indy Chamber announced they have closed 93 paycheck protection loans in the past couple weeks.  More than 75 percent to women and minority owned businesses.

Indy Chamber Vice President Ian Nicolini says the partnership with city has helped more businesses.

"We’re reaching very small businesses and sole proprietors and entrepreneurs who I think in the first round had fallen through the cracks," says Nicolini. 

The council also passed a measure to advance IndyGo’s Purple Line, a 15-mile rapid transit route connecting Lawrence and downtown Indianapolis. Councilor Ali Brown (D-5) says mass transit in her eastside district is a must.

"I have zero mass transit stops, that means I have 48,000 people without access to mass transit. The Purple Line gives us hope," says Brown.

Republican members voted against the transportation proposal.

The council also moved up a proposal that extends the Mayor’s emergency declaration.