Thomas Binford
In a 1999 publication of the Columbia Club, John Walsh described Tom Binford as a “City, State and National Treasure”. Members of BRAG couldn’t agree more, and we find it most fitting that the north-south corridor into Indianapolis on the north east side of the city has been named Binford Boulevard. It is even more appropriate that BRAG has chosen to look to Mr. Binford as a source of inspiration. Just as Tom Binford had a significant impact on Indianapolis, BRAG is working to bring about positive change and have that same kind of impact on our community. A 1994 Boy Scout tribute to Tom Binford put it this way, “He has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all members of the community, helping in significant ways to make Indianapolis a great place to call home.”
Perhaps Tom Binford’s most notable accomplishment was Chief Steward of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race for 22 years, from 1974-1995. He served on a number of corporate boards, including the Indianapolis Water Company, Indianapolis Power and Light, Bio-Dynamics, Boehringer-Mannheim (Roche), INB/NBD/Bank One. He was a founder of the Indianapolis Urban League and the US Auto Club (USAC) and served as president of the Indiana Pacers and chairman of the Indianapolis Raceway Park. In addition, he devoted his time and talents to numerous professional, social, civic and educational boards and committees, such as Goodwill Industries. He was a director of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, served as acting president of DePauw University, and a trustee of Rose-Hulman Institute. Binford was the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash and the Columbia Club’s Benjamin Harrison Medallion for distinguished service.
Tom Binford attended Park-Tudor, Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH) and Princeton University. BRAG is proud to have Tom Binford as a role model and guiding star as we, too, work to “improve the quality of life for all members of the community, helping in significant ways to make the BRAG area a great place to call home.” |
About BRAG
BRAG, short for Binford Redevelopment and Growth, was launched in April 2005 as a grassroots effort to “fight the blight” at Binford Boulevard and 71st Street.
With that effort now bearing significant fruit, the organization has grown into a community development group with a broader focus, addressing economic and quality-of-life issues facing residents and businesses in the area bound by Hague Road on the east, 82nd Street on the north, Allisonville Road on the west and Kessler Boulevard on the south. Hundreds of volunteers have planted bulbs, perennials and trees along the Binford corridor, a project supported by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and honored with a Gold Leaf Award from the Indiana Arborist Association. The organization also has spearheaded crime-prevention efforts.
Last fall, the BRAG area was chosen to be a part of the Great Indy Neighborhoods demonstration initiative involving quality-of-life project planning. With the help of graduate students from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, BRAG conducted hundreds of resident interviews along with focus groups to learn what residents find attractive about the area, what they see as its assets and what they would like to improve.
In June 2007, a neighborhood vision planning meeting helped narrow the focus of the GINI demonstration project to six priority issues:
- Pedestrian access and connectivity
- Business development (particularly around the Binford Boulevard and 71st Street area)
- Crime reduction and safety
- Increasing parks and green space
- Better perception of Lawrence Township schools
- Sustainability
For each priority, BRAG has formed an action group, and these groups are meeting throughout the late summer and fall to make plans for addressing the six priorities.
Through a GINI early action grant, BRAG formed the Binford Farmers Market that started June 2nd and runs every Saturday through October 13th. For more information check out www.binfordfarmersmarket.com.
A list of the BRAG officers and Directors is given on the members page.
BRAG is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, with a Web site at www.binford71.org.
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