Deal could bring shuttered restaurants alive

DJIA 13,328.6 +89.9 / S&P 500 1,469.2 +11.5 / NASDAQ 2,584.2 +18.9 Tonight: Clear / chilly. Low 56. Saturday: Sunny. H 82. Sunday: Sunny, H 86. Labor Day: Sunny, warmer. H 89.
	Friday, August 31, 2007
	Deal could bring shuttered restaurants alive A blockbuster restaurant acquisition underway could result in new life for several shuttered Indianapolis restaurants. A subsidiary of Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc. agreed to pay $1.4 billion to acquire Atlanta-based Rare Hospitality International Inc. If the deal gets done, Darden may put some of the acquired concepts into restaurant space it closed a few months ago, said Brian Epstein, president of locally based Urban Space Commercial Properties.   Indians on track for big attendance numbers Heading into this Labor Day weekend, the Indianapolis Indians are looking to set their highest attendance mark in five years. With two home dates remaining, Indians' attendance is hovering near 8,300 per game. Last year, average attendance was 7,608 per game and, in 2005, average attendance was 7,984. Indians officials credit a strong schedule with numerous weekend games and a dry Indiana summer for helping boost attendance.
	Anderson drops development consultant The Democrat majority on Anderson's City Council voted along party lines last night to yank $144,000 from next year's budget that would have continued funding an economic development contract, according to The Herald Bulletin. Under the contract, Greg Winkler markets the city to prospective businesses. Anderson is on its knees after General Motors in recent years closed factories and put thousands of workers out of jobs.   Daniels hails progress on energy plan Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says the state is making significant progress a year after it began a strategic energy plan. Daniels says there are 23 new bioenergy and clean coal plants announced or operating in Indiana. That represents more than $6 billion in capital investment.   Richmond to target retail development Community leaders in Richmond hope a study completed recently by the Buxton Group consulting firm will help recruit retailers and restaurants to the eastern Indiana city. Allan Rosar, a Richmond developer, was quoted by the Palladium-Item as saying the city has opportunity to develop at least two interchanges on Interstate 70.   Toyota sales goal would shatter GM record Toyota today announced a global sales target for 2009 of about 10.4 million vehicles, a number that would put the Japanese automaker ahead of a record hit by world leader General Motors Corp. 30 years ago. Analysts say Toyota Motor Corp. is likely on track to beat General Motors as the world's biggest automaker in global vehicle sales-as well as production-this year. It's a title Detroit-based GM has held for 76 years. Toyota outlined the ambitious sales plan in a document handed out as President Katsuaki Watanabe outlined the company's growth strategy for coming years. From IBJ staff and Associated Press-Compiled by Norm Heikens   Officers search home in deadly north side shooting One person is dead and another is injured after a shooting at a north-side residence in the 900 block of Fairfield Avenue this morning. Names of the victims, who were rushed to Methodist Hospital, have not yet been released. Fox 59 will have more at 10 p.m.
	Metro police hunt for shooting suspect A 52-year-old man remains in critical condition after being shot with an assault rifle at the victim's home this morning in the 1300 block of Edgemont Avenue on the north side. A passer-by flagged down police after finding Accie Bankhead lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Officers say Bankhead was shot in his right leg, and may lose that leg.   Carmel bus driver charged with neglect Investigators say a video shows Carmel school bus Judith Van Meter telling a 5-year-old girl to lie down in the bus while Van Meter picked up other students. Van Meter originally told police she didn't see the girl. The girl was left on the bus for five hours, sparking authorities to charge her with felony neglect. Big events mark Labor Day weekend The 12th Annual Rib Fest is underway at Military Park. Hootie and the Blowfish, KC and the Sunshine Band and Pat Benatar are among the performers scheduled to appear this weekend. The Indianapolis Indians will finish their home season against the Louisville Bats at 7 p.m. tonight and 6 p.m. tomorrow. The annual Labor Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Pennsylvania and North Streets.
	Who's greedier, the Big 10 or the cable companies that don't want to carry the conference's new sports network? The new Big 10 Network hasn't been picked up by local cable systems, meaning fans might miss games and university athletic directors could be out millions of dollars. Who's to blame, the conference or cable TV companies?  | Does your office/department ever do any team-building social activities?   Visit IBJ's Web site, www.ibj.com       Indianapolis Business Journal has launched a redesigned Web site with news updated throughout the business day.     At www.ibj.com you will find the latest business news from the Indianapolis area and around the state, video of IBJ events, CEO interviews from the Inside IBJ radio program, and our weekly podcast.
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