CHICAGO — Indiana is looking for private companies interested in taking over its parking system and possibly building new development in downtown Indianapolis.
The Indiana Finance Authority last week released a Request for Information from developers or operators who have "creative solutions" to meet and manage the state's parking needs.
The IFA is looking for a private partner to manage the state government's three Indianapolis parking facilities, as well as build new spaces and possibly develop additional retail or office space at the parking garages, according to the RFI.
Much of the parking is near the Indiana Convention Center, sports stadiums, and downtown hotels.
The state owns more than 6,000 parking spaces and wants to build up to 625 more. The system together generates more than $1 million annually from special events. State employees use the bulk of the spots during the week.
Interested firms have until Nov. 15 to respond.
Separately, Indiana said Monday that it is preparing to put out two new Requests for Proposals for the development of a new toll collection system for the Ohio River Bridges project.
Indiana is working with Kentucky on the $2.6 billion bridges project.
The Indiana Department of Transportation and the Indiana Finance Authority are planning to issue two RFPs for toll integration services within the next three months. INDOT's request will focus on electronic toll technology, while the IFA will look for a toll system provider, for roadside and operational services, among other duties.
Officials set toll rates at a special meeting in September.
Drivers will begin paying tolls in 2017 when the work on the bridges is expected to be done. Frequent commuters with transponders will pay $1 and cars that make less frequent trips will pay $2. Box and panel trucks will pay $5 and tractor trailers will pay $10.
Motorists who don't use transponders will be billed at higher rates. All toll rates will go up annually by 2.5% or the inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index, whichever is greater.
