Indianapolis Suburban Development News

[hoosier]

Target site passes another checkpoint
By Chris Sikich
Chris.Sikich@TheNoblesvilleLedger.com
March 18, 2008

NOBLESVILLE -- The Noblesville Plan Commission sent a favorable recommendation to the City Council for a preliminary development plan Monday for a 57-acre retail site that includes a 130,000-square-foot Target.

Noblesville-based Hometown Development is developing the land at the southeast corner of Ind. 32/38 and Ind. 37.

The City Council also will have to approve the plan.

The project already had a head of steam heading into Monday's meeting. The council on March 11 agreed to issue bonds not to exceed $6.9 million to pay upfront costs for infrastructure construction with roads, sewers and water and soil management at the site, and Hometown Development guaranteed to pay 100 percent of the debt service on those bonds.

[hoosier]

^^Great, more development along an already overvongested corridor in SR 37.

[hoosier]

INDOT to speed up I-69 widening

By John Tuohy
john.tuohy@indystar.com

The Indiana Department of Transportation has agreed to drastically speed up the construction of extra lanes on Interstate 69 in Hamilton County.

The agency plans to add at least one travel lane in each direction of the highway by the fall of 2009 and make other improvements near the 116th Street exit.

“These are very much needed improvements and will be a tremendous benefit to us as we continue to grow,” said Fishers Town Manager Gary Huff. INDOT officials met with Fishers officials on Thursday to confirm the accelerated schedule, Huff said.

“We are extremely happy with this development,” Huff said.

INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield said $9.5 million has been dedicated to add a lane in each direction from 96th Street to 116th Street and the other improvements.

They include adding southbound lane on the 116th Street exit ramp and another lane on the southbound entrance ramp at 116th. INDOT may also dedicate one lane to high occupancy vehicle and buses.

Fishers and Hamilton County officials recently expressed frustration when INDOT informed them that large scale work on I-69 would not begin until 2016 at the earliest, and possibly not until 2020. Huff said the town has been in talks with INDOT for several months to try to speed up parts of the project.

The long-term INDOT plan calls for widening I-69 between 96th and 116th streets from six to 10 lanes, and increasing the stretch from 116th Street to Ind. 238 from four to six lanes. Interchanges along the route also would be rebuilt.

County Commissioner Steve Dillinger said he has been negotiating with INDOT for weeks to try to get the entire project moved up. The agency said that was impossible but they could take some interim steps to relive the congested highway.

“They made some concessions, which is very good,” Dillinger said. ‘But they didn’t agree to move up the design work for the big project. I am very satisfied that we have a good dialogue going with the state, though.”

[hoosier]

Indiana lands Amazon warehouse

1,200 jobs will be coming to Boone County

By Ted Evanoff and Robert Annis

WHITESTOWN, Ind. -- Efforts to position Central Indiana as a major distribution hub took another leap forward Friday night as Amazon.com confirmed it would establish a 1,200-employee warehouse in Boone County.

Amazon, a Seattle-based Internet retailer, will employ 1,200 full-time workers at Whitestown by 2010 and as many as 1,700 part-time workers each holiday shopping season, state economic development officials said.

The first 400 full-time workers could be hired by late May or early June, company officials said.

The deal was completed Friday evening as the Whitestown Town Council approved a nearly $2 million property tax abatement package for the proposed depot, a move that Amazon spokeswoman Patty Smith said gave the project a "green light.''

The state also has committed up to $5 million in tax credits for Amazon and $200,000 in workforce training grants.

Amazon picked the Boone County site, on I-65 about 20 miles northwest of Downtown Indianapolis, over locations in other, undisclosed communities and states.

"It makes sense for us -- the geographic location will allow us to serve the customers in the Midwest region more effectively," Smith said.

The depot would open in AllPoints Building 1, a vacant 630,500-square-foot building put up last summer by Duke and Browning Development in anticipation of attracting a tenant to AllPoints, a proposed 616-acre industrial park next to Duke's sprawling Anson residential and commercial project west of Zionsville on Ind. 334.

Amazon.com is expected to invest about $34 million in the building to outfit it with the gear necessary to store and distribute myriad goods, including books, CDs, electronics, toys and even some groceries.

The warehouse's 1,200 full-time workers would make it one of the largest distribution centers in metropolitan Indianapolis, though it would not be the largest in Duke's Anson area. Earlier this month, mail-order drug supplier Medco broke ground on a 1,300-employee automated pharmacy.

Gov. Mitch Daniels called the Amazon project a "big, big score."

"This is one of the biggest ones we've been working on for a while," he said. "It's fantastic."

Whitestown Council President Jason Tribby agreed. "It's a good project, a good company. The Amazon brand itself is worth millions."

For 2007, Amazon reported profits of $476 million on sales of $14.8 billion, including $6.7 billion in sales abroad.

Some of that money will be pumped into Boone County through wages. The Amazon warehouse employees are expected to earn an average wage of $15.20 an hour. Company officials said they would announce in coming weeks how to apply for a job.

Amazon's warehouse will help position the region as a distribution hub for the Midwest, a reputation that metro-area business leaders have been trying to build for several years as they tout the benefits of the area's central location, its confluence of interstate highways and the FedEx freight hub.

[arenn]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080402/LOCAL0102/804020338/1015/LOCAL01

Frustrations mount over town center project
Landowners, town, developer at odds over project's pace

By John Tuohy
Posted: April 2, 2008

All of a sudden, everyone with a stake in a proposed $100 million plan to rebuild downtown Fishers is frustrated.

It dismayed the Town Council to learn of the developer's trouble getting property owners to agree to sell. The developer is said to be nonplussed by the stubbornness of some landowners. Homeowners feel paralyzed because they don't know if the project ever will get done. The Chamber of Commerce is vexed by an apparent lack of communication between the council and developer.

"What I'm hearing is that there is a gulf, not a gap," in coordination, Town Council member Stuart Easley said during a council strategy retreat Monday.

Corby Thompson, a Chamber member, agreed.

"This is a tough, tough project," Thompson said, adding that developer Fairmount Properties, Cleveland, Ohio, may need more help from the town "or else this won't get done."

In sometimes frank language, the Chamber updated council members about the progress of Fairmount's efforts to get landowners to sell 125 properties near 116th Street and Lantern Road. The properties would be razed and replaced with a mix of upscale retail stores, specialty shops, eateries, townhouses and apartments.

The council signed a development agreement with Fairmount in November giving its representatives permission to negotiate for the land.

Thompson told council members the company has approached only 40 percent of the landowners and is finding the negotiations tough. Further, he said, the company has made no formal offers.

"The prices being asked are higher than they thought," Thompson said. "There are a lot of landowners who want to be that holdout."

One problem is the mix of properties in the several-square-block target area -- a hodgepodge of single-family homes, residential rentals, owner-occupied businesses and leased businesses.

Council members, in turn, are disappointed the developer hasn't made any offers and has approached fewer than half the landowners.

Chamber member Gary Reynolds said the company is beginning to doubt the town's commitment and, as a result, "may have drug its feet."

He said Fairmount has suggested to the Chamber that the developer may need some financial help because of landowners demanding a high selling price. A representative of Fairmount could not be reached for comment.

Easley said the town is committed to the project, and the development agreement contains promises of financial assistance for infrastructure and breaks on property taxes.

Chamber members said getting appraisals of a representative sample of about 10 properties in the area might help drive the negations.

Council member Dan Henke said that might send the wrong signal.

"Appraisal is the first step to eminent domain," Henke said. "People would look at that and say, 'Aha. I knew it.' "

The council has declared publicly no forcible land grabbing would be involved in the privately funded project.

Council member David George said appraisals shouldn't be used to replace hard work. "I don't know if this is an appraisals project at all," George said.

The council agreed to summon Fairmount officials for a meeting.

"We need to know that they are still serious," said council member Eileen Pritchard. "People living out there are just waiting and not making improvements to their property, and this has kind of brought things out there to a screeching halt."

[NaptownBoy]

(No one posted this yet, so I thought I would)


Fishers population up 73%
By John Tuohy
The Indianapolis Star
April 2, 2008

The Town of Fishers population stands at 65,382, a 73 percent increase from the year 2000, according to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau today.

The latest population count follows a special census the town held last fall. The population increase means the town will be eligible for a larger share of state taxes.

It was the second special census Fishers has held this decade. The first one in 2003 found that the town’s population had risen to 52,390.
_____________________________________

I believe this would make Fishers like the 7th largest city in Indiana now, if Muncie is still losing population. It passed Anderson and Terre Haute a while ago.

[hoosier]

Jesus, Fishers is going to have close to 80,000 people by the time the next census is taken.

[hoosier]

Wal-Mart to join growing business corridor

By Bruce C. Smith
bruce.smith@indystar.com

A Wal-Mart Supercenter is under construction and due to open June 11 in the growing Camby commercial area.

Nearly 1,000 job-seekers have already applied for the 450 openings, but thousands more applications are possible before work to stock and open the store begins in mid-May.

"This is a very growing community, plus there is the expansion from the Indianapolis airport, so we're very excited about the potential for this new store," said store manager Doug Cermak.

Wal-Mart has opened a temporary employment office at 7015 Kentucky Ave., in a shopping center at Ind. 67 and Camby Road, open daily to receive applications.

The store is going up in Heartland Crossing, a sprawling development along Ind. 67 spreading into Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties. The 1,500-acre development has nearly 3,000 houses, 320 apartments, about 60 acres for light industry, a Nick Price golf course and over 750,000 square feet of retailing and restaurants.

Cermak said the Wal-Mart will have about 206,000 square feet of space for a pharmacy and a full grocery with a deli.

The Ind. 67 corridor, between Mooresville and Indianapolis, has been growing steadily in the past decade since the first homes were sold in Heartland Crossing.

Developer Tim Shrout said only a couple hundred lots for homes remain. "This is our 10th anniversary but we're about three years ahead of schedule," he said.

He estimated the commercial area has 750,000 square feet of retailers and restaurants including the Wal-Mart. About 7 acres remains for another shopping center next to Wal-Mart, so he estimated the commercial zone will eventually total 900,000 square feet.

Besides the Wal-Mart under construction, he said an O'Charley's, a Taco Bell and Tire Barn are also going up this summer, with negotiations ongoing for the last few lots.

[hoosier]

Great, all of this commercial development along SR 67, along with numerous new intersections and stoplights with access roads, and the state has done NOTHING to expand capacity or improve motorist safety.

This is typical Indiana development: build like crazy along a road, wait 10-20 years, and THEN expand the road's capacity. BRILLIANT!!

[hoosier]

Carmel Begins Work on Keystone Ave. Roundabouts:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&plckPersonaPage=PersonaRecentGalleryPhoto&plckUserId=63044ebaa0c34e0c8fdedf9d674bb16a&U=63044ebaa0c34e0c8fdedf9d674bb16a&plckPhotoID=fac4d1af-334f-4338-9c26-594fef1cd1de&sid=sitelife.indystar.com

[hoosier]

Browning plans Carmel office-retail project

Star report

Browning Investments will break ground this summer on a 20-acre office-hotel-retail development at Meridian and Main streets in Carmel.

The site will be next to a new exit that will be built when U.S. 31 becomes an expressway, the Carmel developer announced today.

Browning's Carmel projects include Penn Mark Plaza, Fidelity Plaza and Meridian Technology Center.

[arenn]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/LOCAL/806240375/1015/LOCAL01

Westfield considers annexing 20 areas
Posted: June 24, 2008

WESTFIELD The city is looking into annexing 20 areas in Washington Township that are surrounded by Westfield.

The potential annexation involves unincorporated areas mostly south of Ind. 32.

Nineteen of the areas are made up of 478 parcels where 1,000 to 1,200 people now live, said Greg Anderson, Westfield's director of community development.

The areas, which are spread out, total about 4.9 square miles.

The other area being discussed is a new part of Brookside neighborhood that has no residents. The section, bordered by 169th Street on the north and Gray Road on the east, includes 12 parcels totaling about 65 acres, Anderson said.

City administrators introduced an annexation ordinance during Monday's City Council meeting and will research the possibilities and the fiscal impact it would have.

The city will send letters to affected property owners about the possible annexation. A public hearing will be held Aug. 25.

[arenn]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/LOCAL0102/807090414/-1/ARCHIVE

Fishers has had it with tardy developer
Officials could cancel $100 million plan to remake downtown
By John Tuohy
Posted: July 9, 2008

FISHERS, Ind. -- A $100 million plan to transform downtown Fishers into a walkable enclave for condo dwellers and upscale shoppers may soon be scrapped by frustrated town officials.

Seven months after the town authorized Cleveland developer Fairmount Properties to begin buying 125 homes that would be torn down to make way for development, Fairmount has not purchased a single property. Spring came and went without a planned groundbreaking. And through it all, Fairmount has been largely quiet, town officials say.
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"Our frustration with them is growing significantly," said Stuart Easley, a town councilman. "They know the clock is ticking."

Town Manager Gary Huff said officials would decide in the next two weeks whether they would stick with the privately funded Town Center plan, which was set in motion 14 months ago.

Fairmount did not respond to three phone messages from The Indianapolis Star, but town officials said the company told them June 5 that it would soon provide an updated timetable for the project. The town is still waiting to hear back from Fairmount, Huff said. The Fishers project is not listed on the company's Web site.

If Fishers kills the project, it would be a rare setback for the aggressive, development-friendly council. Despite the ailing economy, the council has continued to shepherd through about three-quarters of a billion dollars in other big projects, including the $500 million RiverPlace at 96th Street and Allisonville Road and Fishers Marketplace on 131st Street.

The Town Center project, however, is a tougher sell because it requires private property acquisition. And the council vowed it would not seize the land through eminent domain.

The slowdown comes at a time when commercial real estate development has slumped dramatically, in large part because of the collapse of the subprime mortgage market.

"A full-blown credit crunch" hit in the first quarter, making it tough for developers to find financing, the national real estate brokerage Marcus & Millichap said in a midyear report.

Developers of large mixed-use real estate projects, such as the one in Fishers, which blend residential, retail and office uses, have faced a particularly rough time landing financing. That's because their projects are more complex and often riskier than single-use developments.

The drying up of that market has left many proposed commercial developments in limbo. In Indianapolis, several big projects are on hold Downtown. They include a plan to build housing, offices and retail space on the former Market Square Arena site that's owned by the city.

The market for office space has weakened in Indianapolis' suburbs, as well. The vacancy rate for suburban office space jumped to 19.5 percent in June from 17.4 percent a year ago. In Fishers, an office market with only a tenth the square footage of Carmel, the vacancy rate edged up to 11.5 percent last month from 10 percent a year ago.

Fairmount has been affected by economic issues in other markets. Bowling Green (Ky.) Mayor Elaine Walker said a change in tax incentives meant Fairmount could not generate the revenues it originally projected for a $40 million mixed-use development there.

"They were nice to work with," Walker said, "but the change in the law meant we had to modify the project, and we decided to go with another company."

In the beginning, the Chamber of Commerce, which took the lead in selecting Fairmount, and the council were impressed by the developer's track record. Fairmount, which specializes in urban renewal projects, has developed about 17 other downtowns in the Midwest.

The Fishers plan calls for 250,000 square feet of office space, 155,000 square feet of retail space, 100 to 200 apartments above the businesses and 40 to 50 townhouses, lofts or flats.

It could include a 100-room hotel and a 2,000-square-foot outdoor pavilion for music or theater. Fairmount officials said they would like the development to be connected by paved walkways, grassy nooks, promenades and gazebos.

But after more than a year of waiting, chamber member Gary Reynolds said local officials owe it to the property owners to either move forward or call it quits.

"We told them to have patience, and they have," said Reynolds, president of Reynolds Farm Equipment in Fishers. "They are at the point where they want to know what to do with their homes and businesses. Some hard choices are right around the corner in the next week or so."

The bungalows that dominate the targeted area are now a mix of homes, rentals and porch-front businesses.

Many of the residents, like Evelyn Roudebush, 80, have lived there for years. She and her neighbors have been in limbo since the plan was announced in the spring of 2007. They've expected either an offer for their homes or word that the plan had been nixed. Neither has happened.

"It gets kind of tiresome after awhile, trying to figure out what they are going to do," said Roudebush, who has lived on South Street since 1979. "Everything has been up in the air for so long we just want something to happen."

Roudebush said her longtime neighbors are like her family members, but she would have no qualms about selling "if everyone else sold."

"It doesn't make a difference to me one way or the other," she said.

[hoosier]

I was always a little cool about Fishers faux DT development, but it did have some nice components. Fairmount isn't exactly the most ethical of companies, as it pulled some fast ones on the city of Blacksburg, VA a few years ago. I think Fishers should solicit bids from other companies for this project.

[NaptownBoy]

Brownsburg Station
Power Center

Brownsburg Station is located in the rapidly growing Brownsburg, IN market. As part of the greater Indianapolis area MSA, Brownsburg is strategically located off of Interstate 74 heading northwest from Indianapolis. This 55 acre power center anchored by a 139,000 square foot Lowe’s Home Improvement Center and 89,000 square foot Kohl’s is located just west of SR 267 along Northfield Road. With tremendous interstate visibility, this center will contain several junior anchors, exciting retail shop space and great restaurant out parcels combined to form a large regional draw from surrounding communities.

Features :

Population growth of 1.4% annually equaling over 4,000 new residents a year
Avg. HH Income = $93,191 within a 5 mile radius
Regional drawing power
Interstate signage on I-74
An underserved retail market



Brownsburg Station Website (http://www.lauth.net/ViewProperty.aspx?PropertyID=3)
___________________

What the hell is a "power center"? Seriously--this market is beginning to become oversaturated with retail.

[pig]

What the hell is a "power center"? Seriously--this market is beginning to become oversaturated with retail.

Power Center (http://www.icsc.org/srch/lib/SCDefinitions99.pdf): "A center dominated by several large anchors, including discount
department stores, off-price stores, warehouse clubs, or "category killers," i.e.,
stores that offer tremendous selection in a particular merchandise category at
low prices. The center typically consists of several freestanding (unconnected)
anchors and only a minimum amount of small specialty tenants."

I guess referring to it as "the third circle of hell" isn't an effective marketing strategy.

This particular center consists of a Lowe's and a Kohl's anchored strip-mall. Hardly the "regional draw" they make it out to be, unless "regional" just means the northern third of Hendricks county.

[cwilson758]

Avon has to be the blandest town in Central Indiana.

Small towns with a heart
Spurning sprawl, more towns upbeat on downtown
Sat. August 16 - 2008

Chris O’Malley - comalley@ibj.com
IBJ staff


From Andy Griffith’s Mayberry, the small town evolved into the likes of Avon, Ind.

The tree-shaded bungalow on Oak Street within walking distance of the town center became the vinyl-clad, single-family home planted in a former cornfield with a contrived name ending in “creek” or “woods” or “farms.”

Residents have to jump in the car if they want to buy a cup of coffee or to patronize the predictable chain restaurants and big-box retailers. The Best Buy on Avon’s main drag, Rockville Road, might as well be the Best Buy on Center Road in Avon, Ohio.

And don’t bother looking for a “downtown,” unless you mean the car-clogged intersection of Rockville Road and State Road 267.

“That area is probably as close as we have to a downtown,” said Avon Planning Director Christine Owens.

But even “new” towns like Avon, incorporated in 1995, are revisiting the concept of an urban core where people not only shop and dine but also live and maybe even work.


Click Here for additional photos from downtown Danville


The Hendricks County town of 10,000-plus has been looking at a sort of “town center” to be located near the existing town hall, which has already become a gathering place, of sorts. The center, close to town government buildings, might someday include a high-density residential and retail development designed to be pedestrian-friendly.

Cities and towns are not deaf to the economic development and tax revenue potential of having a downtown. Some, like Avon, see a downtown as a way to manage their sprawl. High-density development that mixes residential, retail and office development can reduce the need for commuting by car. That means fewer roads to build and sewers to install, and less of all the other costly infrastructure that’s hard on the environment.

For a new generation of urban planners, downtown revitalization is a holy application of “environmental sustainability”; for seasoned planners, it’s redemption from past sins of ripping down historic sections of downtown.

The recent jump in gasoline prices can’t but help the downtown development trend. So does an aging demographic. Many of the 78 million baby boomers no longer have children at home and are looking to downsize, oftentimes preferring the convenience of an urban setting.

And an urban center for diffusive towns like Avon could provide an opportunity to showcase culture unique to the area that’s otherwise obscured in the uniformity of parking lots and strip retail centers.

“This vision will really give a sense of place, a sense of identity,” said Owens, who hopes Avon’s town council might approve yet this summer hiring a consultant to help plan a town center.

Downtown fever

“It’s going around all over the country. You’re starting to see a formula: Walkability plus identity equals profitability,” said Ed McMahon, a senior fellow at the Urban Land Institute.

It’s a distinct departure from land planning over the last 40 years that was based on auto mobility, one that has matured into ubiquitous urban sprawl.

“If you can’t differentiate your community from anyplace else,” added McMahon, “you have no competitive advantage.”

West of Avon, in the county seat of Danville, town leaders are trying to make their downtown competitive.

Late last year, they formed Downtown Danville Partnership, a not-for-profit charged with revitalizing the downtown and scaring up grant money for things such as historically correct windows and awnings.


Among the findings of that process was that locals want more restaurants and shopping in the courthouse square area. Despite attractions such as the Mayberry Café, many of the prime window spaces are occupied by title companies and law firms and other utilitarian offerings that urban planners say are better suited for the upper floors of buildings.

Unfortunately, when it comes to historical bragging rights, many of Danville’s buildings are not on the National Register of Historic Places, a situation town official Laura Parker would like to change.

“We could market ourselves with a ‘capital H’ instead of a ‘small H,’” she said.

“People want small-town American character,” said Danville Town Manager Gary Eakin. “[Downtown] could become our open-air mall, like Metropolis, in Plainfield.”


Though the latter looks somewhat like a downtown, it more closely resembles a Disneyland of name-brand stores, and it lacks the history and culture of a small town.

Danville officials know better than to try to compete with the same kind of stores found at Metropolis. Instead, they’re looking at landing more mom-and-pop businesses, stores whose local owners pride themselves in providing good service. Civic leaders think retailers that offer distinctive and high-quality products are a potentially winning niche. For example, one is unlikely to find at a strip center a store like Wiggles, on the courthouse square, which specializes in fair food favorites such as funnel cakes.

Another goal is to make downtown Danville a hub of social activity. The operators of Royal Theater recently launched an outdoor concert series that draws hundreds to the streets after business hours.

Challenges vary

Turning what’s left of its once-bustling downtown into a gathering place is one of the recommendations consulting firm HNTB made for the town of Brownsburg.

“Many of the residents feel that the downtown is no longer the activity center it once was. It has lost most of its historic character. There are [only] a few historic buildings located in Downtown,” the report said.

It added that, with the exception of drugstores built there in recent years, many of downtown’s existing tenants are “not daily service providers and therefore there is nothing there that stimulates the need for activity” downtown.

Rather than trying to re-create the downtown as a service provider of yesteryear, HNTB recommended turning it into a gathering place for the community, perhaps linked to nearby Arbuckle Acres park.

Brownsburg is on solid footing when it comes to a government presence downtown, having recently completed a new city government complex there.

Some towns are being especially ambitious about their downtown.

A vision plan prepared for Greenwood by Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning looked at the potential of not only a government center anchoring its old town area, but also shops, arts and recreational facilities and mixed-use development such as “live-over-work” buildings. Everything would be accessible on foot.

“I felt we had to be broad-based with a lot of options,” said Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson of the community whose small-town intimacy was swallowed decades ago by endless retail strips and Greenwood Park Mall.

But might these budding efforts result in downtowns that in a few decades are as generic in theme and offerings as are the monotonous strip centers that now dominate the landscape?

There is some risk of that, said David Schoen, interim chairman of Ball State University’s Department of Urban Planning.

But, Schoen said, “every community has a [unique] history” to exploit. “It depends on how they spin it.

“We’re all interested in history, even though we might not think so.” •

[hoosier]

Brownsburg Station

Brownsburg Station is located in the rapidly growing Brownsburg, IN market.

Features :

Population growth of 1.4% annually equaling over 4,000 new residents a year
Avg. HH Income = $93,191 within a 5 mile radius
Regional drawing power
Interstate signage on I-74
An underserved retail market






4,000 new residents a year? That is outrageous growth!

Brownsburgh and INDOT needs to fix the goddamn roads before approving any new development.

SR 267 is a joke, and why 56th Street isn't four lanes from I-65 to SR 267 is a testament to poor governance and planning.

Two lane country roads with no shoulders surrounded by subdivisions and shopping centers won't cut it.

[hoosier]

Plan for area surrounding I-74 interchange could cost Brownsburg $100,000

By Josh Duke
josh.duke@indystar.com

Brownsburg leaders are faced with a dilemma: How do they control development of land important to the town's future but outside the town's boundaries?

With the opening of the new interchange at I-74, more than 1,500 acres of farmland is now ripe for development. However, the land remains under the jurisdiction of Hendricks County planners.

Town officials are considering hiring a consultant to study the interchange and provide guidance on how to get the most out of the land, which could become an economic boon for a community in desperate need of a stronger commercial tax base.

In a presentation to the Town Council last week, EDEN Collaborative encouraged the town to develop its own master plan for the area.

"The county's current Ronald Reagan master plan provides a good foundation, but it lacks a strong land use vision and doesn't inspire creating a sense of place to make the area something special," said Adam Thies, president of Indianapolis-based EDEN Collaborative. "You have choices in front of you, and you must decide what your competitive advantage is to get the most out of that land."

Thies said the area could lend itself to a variety of uses including logistics, advanced manufacturing, light and heavy industrial, commercial and even residential. Sound planning could avoid development headaches the community has experienced at the I-74 interchange with Ind. 267, where hodge-podge development there has created traffic congestion and access issues as the town has grown.

"The county's plan is a broad study that protects against bad development but doesn't encourage good development," Thies said.

Though town leaders agreed with Thies' assessment, they continue to struggle with whether they should spend tax dollars to fund a study that could be ignored by county officials.

Cost of the recommended consulting services by EDEN Collaborative to move forward on a market study, land use vision and master plan on behalf of Brownsburg is still unclear, but it could be as high as $100,000.

"Three-quarters of the land is already committed in terms of development," said council member Matt Bowles. "My heartburn is coming from spending money for something we don't control."

Hendricks County Plan Director Don Reitz said he has talked with developers about the available land, but no plans have been submitted to his office. When they do, he feels comfortable with the county's current plan, noting that Brownsburg consented to it.

"If the town wants to make recommendations on further regulations that would be fine, but how it would be incorporated is up to the (county) Plan Commission," he said.

[hoosier]

Developer raises $40M for 402-unit project


Hearthview Residential has secured financing for its Prairie Lakes project in Noblesville.

Construction will begin this month on the 402-unit apartment project at 146th Street and Ind. 37, said James E. Thomas Jr., a partner at the Indianapolis developer.

"Getting the $40 million in financing done in this market is really a feat of magic," he said of the project, the largest development yet for Hearthview.

The upscale community of two- and three-story buildings will feature a resort-style outdoor swimming pool, clubhouse and fitness center.

Rents will range from $700 to $1,300 a month, and the first units should be open by late spring or early summer 2009.

-- Star report

[hoosier]

Avon pledges funds toward parkway completion

By Gretchen Becker
gretchen.becker@indystar.com

The Avon Town Council wants to find a way to fund its portion of the Ronald Reagan Parkway.

The council voted Thursday to commit $2.25 million toward the project,but they would like agreements from other government agencies that might contribute to completion of the road that could eventually run from I-70 in Hendricks County to I-65 in Boone County.

Sections of the road have been constructed, but the most expensive portion -- a bridge over the CSX railyards estimated to cost $12 million -- remains unfunded.

Hendricks County officials had proposed the state complete the parkway in a swap for Ind. 267, but the Indiana Department of Transportation rejected that as too expensive.

Local officials now are seeking alternative ways to raise money for completing the parkway. Avon town leaders see the road as vital to the town's economic development.

"I'm certainly behind it 120 percent," said council member Greg Zusan. "I just want to make sure we have language in here (the resolution) that if everything falls apart, we either don't give the money, or we get it back because we could certainly use $2.25 million for something else."

Avon Town manager Tom Klein told council members the county is considering raising the wheel tax to help raise money for the road. He said Avon, Brownsburg and Plainfield also would be asked to contribute their share of the increased wheel tax proceeds toward the project.

"How do we really track all of this?" Zusan said. "I'm all for it. I'm looking at everyone's going to jump on board and get this whole thing done."

The county council and commissioners will have a joint work session about increasing the wheel tax at 4 p.m. Oct. 9.

[hoosier]

Logistics leader OHL will add 120 positions

Tennessee company to build on Plainfield work force of 400

By Bruce C. Smith
bruce.smith@indystar.com

The national economy may be in a slowdown, but you couldn't tell from the frenzied scene inside one of Plainfield's mammoth distribution centers.

While Wall Street was in a free fall Monday, workers inside one of OHL's distribution centers in Plainfield scurried about packaging and organizing tons of pallet-loads of inventory for shipment.

OHL, or Ozburn-Hessey Logistics, announced plans Monday to add approximately 120 full-time jobs to its Plainfield work force of about 400.

"We've not seen much of a slowdown here. We're still planning on continued growth," said OHL Regional Vice President Nathan Sanders.

Sanders said OHL has proposals from several clients planning to expand, so it is preparing with new hires and about $11.3 million invested in new equipment and leases for more buildings in Plainfield.

Tennessee-based OHL is known as a third-party logistics provider -- a behind-the-scenes company that handles all of the shipping for better-known retailers and manufacturers.

"They are experts at the products they make and market, and we are experts in shipping and distribution," Sanders said.

Central Indiana is a logistics hub because more than three-quarters of the nation's population is within a day's drive of the state. Other logistics centers in the region include Lebanon-Whitestown to the northwest of Indianapolis, Greenwood to the south and Mount Comfort to the east.

About 22 million square feet of warehouse and industrial buildings have gone up in Plainfield in the past decade, bringing about 13,000 jobs, according to town development leaders.

OHL is deliberately diverse in the products it ships and the companies it serves. Sanders said the strategy helps insulate OHL from the peaks and valleys in any one industry.

One group may be shipping nonrefrigerated food products and medical-grade nutritional supplements made by Nestle directly to retailers or health-care centers, and another may be shipping Hitachi Truck parts, while a third handles Petsafe products.

"Because of the location and the quality of the work force, Plainfield has proven to be an ideal place for us to expand our operations," Sanders said.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. said the state has approved grants of up to $200,000 for OHL to train new workers.

Distribution center jobs often pay in the range of $10 to $20 an hour and offer benefits.

One of the newest and largest OHL centers is a two-year-old, 800,000-square-foot warehouse built by Browning Investments and ProLogis at 281 Airtech Parkway, where the Nestle products are stored and shipped.

It is on the corner of Airtech and Ronald Reagan Parkway, which opened last year as a gateway to Plainfield's industrial parks and the new midfield terminal to open soon at Indianapolis International Airport.

Sanders said the site's nearness to interstate highways and to the air freight and package shipping services at the airport help to make the location ideal for OHL's operations.

More than 2.5 million square feet of space has been leased so far this year on the southwest side of the metro region, which mainly means Plainfield and the Ameriplex industrial park in Indianapolis, according to the third-quarter report released recently by Colliers Turley Martin Tucker.

Of the 58 million square feet of industrial space on the southwest side, about 8 percent was listed as vacant at the end of the third quarter of 2008, down from 10.2 percent vacant in the second quarter.

Biggest of all the recent deals in Plainfield was Amazon.com's lease of 947,000 square feet that the online shipper will use to fill orders of larger and bulkier items.

"The market in Plainfield has been very strong, like Amazon.com that took our building at 715 Airtech," said John F. Hirschman, director of development for Browning.

"There was some concern at the end of last year about the amount of speculative space that was available, but the confidence in that space has proven true," Hirschman said.

[hoosier]

Avon approves parkway agreement

By Gretchen Becker
gretchen.becker@indystar.com

The Avon Town Council approved an agreement with neighboring towns and Hendricks County to finance completion of Ronald Reagan Parkway.

If Brownsburg, Plainfield and the county also approve the agreement, the county wheel and excise taxes would be increased to pay for the construction of the parkway.

The wheel tax, which generally applies to personal vehicles, would go up from $20 to $25, while the excised tax, which applies to commercial vehicles, would increase from $40 to $45. The fees are paid annually when vehicle owners renew license plates.

County officials have been seeking ways to pay for completion of the parkway, planned as a north-south connector between I-70 and I-74. Portions have been constructed, but some of the most expensive portions remain unfunded.

The town of Avon also has allocated $2.25 million from a tax increment finance district toward parkway construction if the agreement goes through in 2009.

The county council and commissioners met in a joint session Thursday before the Town Council meeting. They discussed increasing the wheel tax but took no action because county commissioner Eric Wathen had not received written resolutions from any of the towns.

[hoosier]

Monon Trail extension begins in Westfield

By Tania E. Lopez
tania.e.lopez@indystar.com

City officials broke ground on the first phase of extending the Monon Trail into Westfield this morning, Friday, October 10th.

Mayor Andy Cook, City Council president Ken Kingshill and Melody Sweat, parks director and City Council member, dug their shiny silver shovels into the hard soil at the Monon on 156th Street, as more than a dozen onlookers clapped and cheered.

The first leg of the expansion project, which spans north of 146th Street to 156th Street, should be completed by Nov. 22 but it will remain a construction zone and be closed to the public.

Sweat said the trail would be ready for operation no later than June.

The trail picks up again north of 156th to 161st Street. A private developer has already paved that stretch.

"Trails are on the fast track in Westfield," said Sweat.

In addition, Sweat said, the city has already received a $900,000 transportation grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources that will help develop the trail from 161st Street all the way to Ind. 32.

[hoosier]

Lawrence chases village destination with redevelopment project

Redevelopment project hopes to build wave of prosperity

By Cathy Kightlinger
cathy.kightlinger@indystar.com

Pat Hirschfeld hopes to profit from plans to build Lawrence Village at the Fort, a New Urbanism-style area in the middle of Lawrence with places to live, work, shop and play.

Hirschfeld moved Giraffe-X Graphics, the tie-dye business he co-owns, into the village area on Wheeler Road about six years ago. As plans progress on the major urban redevelopment project, he's looking forward to increased traffic flow past his business.

"Obviously, I'm for it," said Hirschfeld, 42, whose business makes tie-dyed shirts, socks and pants and other products. "The rising tide rises all boats."

The project appeals to potential residents, too.

Katie Lineweaver is so fond of her parents' home in Lawrence's Boston Commons that she's trying to figure out how to get one, too.

"It's so quiet," said Lineweaver, 29, who is living in the home near 56th Street and Lawton Loop while her parents are temporarily out of the country. "We're in the city, but we don't feel like we're in the city."

The neighborhood -- with houses built to fit with the historic military-base architecture of Fort Benjamin Harrison -- is situated near Fort Harrison State Park and the proposed village.

"I would love to make an investment because the Lawrence Village is going to provide a quality of life unlike most of the neighborhoods in Marion County," said Lineweaver, who works for Indianapolis Economic Development.

Those are just the sentiments Kris Butler wants to hear. The executive director of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority is charged with leading the redevelopment project.

North suburban cities Carmel and Fishers are working on similar projects.

"It's all about the destination, creating yet another place for people to visit," Butler said.

About 50 acres inside the nearly 100-acre village is for sale, said Butler. She's hoping to bring in $6 million to $7 million for the 20-acre parcel at 56th Street and Lee Road, where the fort's former post exchange and commissary stood.

As Butler peddles village property, she also is preparing to help lead an effort to build $6 million to $7 million of infrastructure to bolster the project. Wheeler Road, Otis Avenue and two smaller streets in the village are in line for makeovers next year, including new roadways, wide sidewalks, buried utilities, on-street parking and landscaping.

"This is a huge investment that the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority has decided to make," she said.

Eventually, the entire village will have wide sidewalks, improved streets and bike lanes amid a park-like setting, plans say. Significant progress on the project is expected in the next three to five years.

"I hope it will be the cement that bonds together all areas of the city," said Lawrence Mayor Paul Ricketts. "I am very enthused. I think the Reuse Authority and the executive director have a lot of energy. These are tough economic times. But if (anyone) can pull it off, this group can."

Ricketts, Butler and other city leaders hope to use busy 56th Street, the thousands who work inside the Maj. General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center and nearby Ivy Tech Community College campus as draws for developers.

Lineweaver said homes that go on the market in her parents' neighborhood don't last long.

When the elder Lineweavers return to reclaim their house, she jokingly predicted, "there is going to be a big fight in the family. I want to stay."

[arenn]

http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=43795

Greenwood high-tech firm plans 8-year, $68.8 million expansion

Daily Journal of Johnson County

By Joseph S. Pete, Daily Journal of Johnson County staff writer

One of Greenwood's largest employers is planning a major expansion.

Endress+Hauser has bought 22 acres next to its existing Greenwood campus, which gives the Switzerland-based company room to expand.

The company has tentative plans to spend $68.8 million in the next eight years for a new building, renovating existing buildings and adding machinery, equipment and computer systems.

The expansion is expected to create up to 234 new jobs by 2016. The average salary is projected to be $59,336.

"After a year-long review of our growth needs, we decided to purchase this land to give us the space needed for our expected growth," logistics manager Phil Tumey said in a statement. "Our plans include building investments in the immediate future, as well as investment in our existing facilities."

The expansion is not certain and will depend on the economy and if it affects the company's business, Tumey said. Its U.S. sales are up 10 percent so far this year, even as the economy has slowed down.

Endress+Hauser, which employs nearly 8,000 worldwide, has 274 employees at its Greenwood facility near Pushville Road and U.S. 31. The company designs, makes and sells tools that measure temperatures, levels in tanks and pressure in pipes.

"They're the crown jewel of manufacturing in Greenwood and probably all of Johnson County," Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson said. "It's great we'll be getting all those jobs. We're really excited about it."

The family-owned company has its U.S. sales and marketing headquarters in Greenwood, where it also manufactures instruments that help its industrial customers more efficiently manage production processes.

Endress+Hauser employs engineers who design a wide range of sensors and instruments that monitor level, flow, pressure and temperature measurements.

The company's focus is on the development on new products.

"These are highly skilled, highly sought-after jobs by graduates of Indiana University, Purdue University, Franklin College and other universities," said Mitch Frazier, a spokesman for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

When the company relocated its U.S. operations to Greenwood in 1974, Endress+Hauser employed eight workers in a 5,000-square-foot facility.

Now five business divisions operate in three buildings on the 58-acre Endress+Hauser campus. The $68.8 expansion project will retrofit existing buildings to streamline operations, at an estimated cost of $3.2 million.

The project being planned is just the company's latest investment. More than $19 million was spent on its new electromagnetic flow meter facility, which is one-of-a-kind in the United States, spokeswoman Kathleen Spinder said. There, the company manufacturers and calibrates flow meters that measure a wide array of materials, including wastewater and yogurt.

Company officials believed that the Greenwood campus's growth had occurred in too hodge-podge a fashion and wanted to be more strategic, Tumey said. So they hired Indianapolis-based consultant Genovis to assess future needs and design a plan for growth over the next decade, which has been under review for past year.

Endress+Hauser plans to construct a $34.5 million building for its level and pressure product lines, Tumey said. The sales staff would move into a larger space once the facility was built.

Sales have been driving the company's growth and are especially strong in international markets such as Canada and Brazil, Tumey said. Endress+Hauser sells to a large number of industries, including chemical/petrochemical, food and beverage, water/wastewater and life sciences.

Sales increased by 11 percent last year and have grown by an average of 20 percent most years, Tumey said.

"Today's customer is highly sophisticated," general manager for U.S. sales and services Todd Lucey said in a statement. "Our customer is not only looking to us to provide the best quality product, but they demand the best service and support throughout the product's life cycle.

"With our growth plans, we intend to keep Endress+Hauser at the forefront - with the best people, processes and facilities to help our customers compete today and in the future."

The project will include $29 million in new machinery and equipment for all five business divisions.Endress+Hauser expects to finish construction of a $34.5 million building, renovate existing buildings and hire 234 new employees by 2016, according to the plans it filed.

"Anytime you have this quality of jobs created by an existing company who's shown willingness to hire locally, that's a positive thing," city council member Bruce Armstrong said. "This shows that even in difficult economic times, Greenwood is still a good place for a company to expand. We're fortunate to have a company like this who will create good-paying jobs and has a record of hiring locally."

The new jobs will pay an average significantly higher than the median county wage of $31,054, Johnson County Development Corp. executive director Cheryl Morphew said.

People often get more excited when new companies decided to relocate to and invest in an area, but existing companies such as Endress+Hauser are most often the vehicle for economic growth, she said.

The company is asking the city for a tax abatement, or a phasing in of property taxes on the new property and equipment over the next 10 years. Such tax breaks are designed to serve as an incentive for job creation and offset the cost of the initial investment.

Endress+Hauser's new investment will create an additional $6 million in property tax revenue over the next 10 years, even with a tax abatement, company officials estimate.

The state also will offer incentives, such as training grants, Frazier said.

[arenn]

I keep hoping that good examples will cause people to imitate, but for some reason that doesn't happen in Indiana. No one else seems to have copied Columbus' approach to architecture. Columbus is almost the only city its size that has held on to its main corporate headquarters and not gone down the tubes. Coincidence?

I attended a life sciences conference where one of the local big-wheels told a story about how the conventional wisdom was that what was needed to boost entrepreneurial spirit was for some local startup guy to start tooling around town in a Ferrari. Then some IU guy hit it big. I don't think he got a Ferrari, but the important thing was the reaction of his colleagues: "Oh, that's just so and so. None of the rest of us could do that". Crazy.

Columbus continues on a roll architecturally.

http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=43833

World-class architect returning to Columbus

(Columbus) The Republic
New training center
WHAT: Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence.
WHERE: East of Columbus Learning Center.
COST: $15 million, provided by grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of the Economic Opportunities 2015 initiative.
SIZE: 42,000 square feet.
WHEN: Scheduled to open in April 2011.
TO HOUSE: Advanced manufacturing degree programs and workforce training for IUPUC, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus, Purdue College of Technology at Columbus and high school programs including C4.
ARCHITECTS: Cesar Pelli of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, design architect; RATIO Architects, executive architect.
FEATURES: Shared integrated technology labs for science, technology, engineering and math.

By Chrissy Alspaugh, The Republic

calspaugh@therepublic.com

World-renowned architect Cesar Pelli will design the new $15 million Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence coming to Columbus' higher education campus.

Pelli's firm, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, will conceptualize the new 42,000-square- foot state-of-the-art education and work-force training center, to open in 2011 just east of Columbus Learning Center, said Jack Hess, the center's programming chairman.

"I am excited to be designing a building again for Columbus, Indiana; a city that I much admire and love," said Pelli, who designed the original Commons, in a release.

"I am also very excited with the purpose the AMCE building will fulfill: to open for all in the region new and great opportunities for advancement through a very sophisticated educational program."

RATIO Architects of Indianapolis will carry out Pelli's designs.

RATIO's local projects include the renovation and new sanctuary addition to St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, renovation of BCSC's headquarters and currently helping to design the new Mill Race Senior Center.

Manufacturing center

The manufacturing training facility will be built on Columbus Municipal Airport property as part of Lilly Endowment's $38 million grant to improve education in southeast Indiana.

Project officials hope to break ground in late 2009 and open the building in April 2011.

The center will be the physical outgrowth of a regionally focused initiative called Economic Opportunities 2015, or EcO15. It aims to advance people by at least one level in training, education and/or job placement by 2015 in the advanced manufacturing, health care services and hospitality and tourism sectors.

AMCE will house advanced manufacturing degree programs and work-force training for IUPUC, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus, Purdue College of Technology at Columbus and related high school programs serving southeastern Indiana communities, such as Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.'s C4.

The institutions will share integrated technology labs built around a curriculum of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.

Local and regional manufacturers also will be able to lease specialized space to train their employees.

The center directly will connect via distance education to a network of technology labs being developed in each of EcO15's 10 counties.

John Burnett, Community Education Coalition's chief executive officer, said the network will offer STEM education to middle school, high school, college and adult students near where they live.

Right environment

He said the degree and certificate programs, coupled with National Association of Manufacturers' Dream It. Do It. career awareness campaign, provides the right environment for the region's nearly 570 advanced manufacturing companies to grow and prosper.

Hess said the manufacturing center will be unique in its form and function.

"There are few such examples in the country that seamlessly weave together education, work-force and business development services collectively focusing on a single economic cluster," he said.

Pelli entered Columbus' architecture scene in the early 1970s with the original Commons and Courthouse Center. His Commons superstructure has been retained to be incorporated into the new Commons.

Today Pelli's works include Petronas Twin Towers, which for a time were the world's tallest buildings, and the World Financial Center complex, surrounding the now-fallen World Trade Center.

Massive obelisk

His designs also were chosen for the current San Francisco Transbay Transit Center and Tower that will include a 1,400-foot-long park on top of the terminal with a 1,200-foot, 80-story obelisk office tower.

"Columbus is very fortunate to have Cesar Pelli designing a new building in our community," said Will Miller, chairman and chief executive officer of Irwin Financial Corp. and member of AMCE's architectural committee.

"He is one of the leading architects in the world at the height of his career, with a rich history of designing practical and beautiful academic buildings."

Cummins backing

Pelli's return to Columbus to design the new manufacturing center will be funded by Cummins Foundation Architecture Design Program.

"The Cummins Foundation is delighted to be a part of the Advanced Manufacturing Center (of Excellence) project," said Tracy Souza, Cummins corporate responsibility executive director.

"The design work by Mr. Pelli contributes to a growing collection of renowned buildings at the Columbus campus and keeps the Columbus legacy of 'different by design' moving forward."

[hoosier]

I wonder if Endress+Hauser would be in need of someone with my educational background (Accounting/Finance)?

[GarfieldPark]

Arenn: "I keep hoping that good examples will cause people to imitate, but for some reason that doesn't happen in Indiana. No one else seems to have copied Columbus' approach to architecture. Columbus is almost the only city its size that has held on to its main corporate headquarters and not gone down the tubes. Coincidence?"

Actually, Columbus used to have two Fortune 500 companies headquartered there: Cummins and Arvin. Now, Arvin has merged with Meritor to become Arvin-Meritor and has its headquarters in Troy, Michigan. Columbus has lost 50% of its Fortune 500 headquarters companies.

[arenn]

http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=43972

Columbus named top historic travel spot in nation

(Columbus) The Republic

By Paige Harden, The Republic

pharden@therepublic.com

A new National Geographic survey ranks Columbus as the nation's top historic travel destination, and one of the best in the world.

The fifth annual destination stewardship survey "Historic Places Rated" will be published in the November/ December issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Columbus is ranked 11th in the world, the highest U.S. rating, above Charleston, S.C., Port Townsend, Wash., Asheville, N.C. and Salem, Mass.

Lynn Lucas, director of the Columbus Area Visitors Center, said the ranking is a wonderful honor.

"To be ranked 11th in the world and highest in the U.S. is just remarkable," Lucas said.

The combination of historic preservation and contemporary architecture often earns
Columbus worldwide recognition, Lucas said.

"We hear again and again that it's not only the architecture, but the combination with our historic downtown. People often come to Columbus expecting to see just contemporary buildings but are delighted to see this wonderful marriage with the historic district," she said. "So many other places tear down the old to build the new. I am just so grateful that through the years our community leaders have had that sense of history."

The rankings were made by an international panel of 280 experts. The choices were based on six criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future.

According to traveler.nationalgeographic.com, "In the end, people make the difference. No surprise there. A homegrown sense of stewardship, along with the support of caring visitors, is what will secure the future of our pasts."

The judges, speaking anonymously on the Web site, had this to say about Columbus:
"Columbus has a world-lass collection of modern architecture by master architects. It also has a charming older downtown historic district. The community is in excellent condition and has a fine visitors center in a handsome historic building. It is authentic, unique, and unspoiled."

"Rated just behind New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco for architecture, and has really tried to keep its standard of quality with a visitors center that boasts a work by glass artist Dale Chihuly."

"A jewel in the region, and a model of what a small town can do to differentiate itself from the crowd. This town is truly part of America's architectural heritage."

"I was greatly disturbed by the unchecked growth surrounding the city. The old gem of architectural richness within farmland is lost. While the core retains its integrity, the compromising development of the countryside makes for a terrible gateway."

[cwilson758]

Now I have read it all...Columbus better than CHARLESTON?

[ragerunner1]

Weather its better than Charleston maybe an opinion. But, having Columbus once again in a National publication shows this town is doing something very right and has been for years. As Arenn said, its a shame more towns in Indiana and around the country don't get it.

[arenn]

rage, I keep hoping for the "example effect" to boost things in the city and state, but I just don't see it for whatever reason. Or it operates at a slower burn. Columbus has been famous for its architecture for years and it has been a key to that community's success. But it has not been emulated elsewhere in Indiana. Odd.

[ragerunner1]

rage, I keep hoping for the "example effect" to boost things in the city and state, but I just don't see it for whatever reason. Or it operates at a slower burn. Columbus has been famous for its architecture for years and it has been a key to that community's success. But it has not been emulated elsewhere in Indiana. Odd.

I think some cities in Indiana are starting to get it (not all the way, but working on it). Bloomington, downtown Indy, and Carmel come to mind. I have to admit, in my many years working as a urban planner and redevelopment specialist, I am still amazed how many communities and civic leaders are unable to connect the dots. You show them cities that are succeeding and layout why (its actually a pretty simple formula). You give them the economics of why they should adopt certain development principles and projects. Yet, in the end most of them allow themselves to get caught up in politics, and the mentality that they don't need certain changes to succeed. In the end they usually go no place and in 10 years wonder why they have fallen behind even more. Matter of fact, a lot of communities could help themselves by just requiring some good landscaping and sidewalks. They might be amazed how much those simple steps might help get them moving forward.

[arenn]

rage, sometimes it make me wonder if this is the real lesson of the parable of the talents* That is, it is simply an observation on the human condition.

There was an interesting piece of research done recently. They gave people a test and asked them to evaluate their performance on it. The worse your score, the more likely you were to overestimate how well you did. The better your score, the more accurate your prediction. Perhaps the same things that make places unable to implement good policies render them incapable of seeing that the policies they are following are leading them astray.

*("For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.")

[ragerunner1]

You may be very well right.

Two other things I have learned over the years, the development and building community is very powerful and very short sighted most of the time and people really are adverse to change.

I actually had a developer the other day tell me that sidewalks were the ugliest thing that a neighborhood could have. WOW!!!! (I think it would have been better for him just to admit he was cheap and could careless about the future.) Yet, him and most of the development community keeps telling everyone their square block houses, that are repeated over and over again all across the land, are great.

[arenn]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20081208/BUSINESS/81208024/-1/ARCHIVE

Fishers planning new $100M project
By Tom Spalding and Jeff Swiatek
Posted: December 8, 2008

Fishers officials have scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference to discuss plans for a new, roughly $100 million commercial project.

A news release today described the project as an investment that "will pump millions of dollars into the local economy and create a gateway into Fishers’ booming business district."
Advertisement

Fishers Town Council President Scott Faultless and officials from Edgeworth Laskey Properties are scheduled to appear.

Edgeworth Laskey is a locally based real estate developer. Their local projects include Lake Point Center 5, a six-story office building at Allisonville Road and I-465.

No other details were immediately available.

However, in July, the Fishers Town Council authorized issuing $11 million in bonds to develop a $92 million corporate office center near I-69 on behalf of Edgeworth-Laskey Properties.

The corporate office complex would be on the west side of I-69, near 106th Street.

[cwilson758]

The FINE City of Anderson, Indiana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/cwilson758/Anderson/8thStBridge.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/cwilson758/Anderson/FullImage.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/cwilson758/Anderson/PedBridge.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/cwilson758/Anderson/FullImage2.jpg

nothing special, just a few "skyline" shots

[hoosier]

Not a bad skyline. I would love to see Muncie, Anderson, Noblesville, Indianapolis, and Bloomington linked together by rail someday. THat would go far in linking the declining cities of Anderson and Muncie with the growing and dynamic areas of Hamilton and MArion Counties.

We could call this the "Brain Train" (IU to BSU).:banana:

[ablerock]

From ibj.com (http://www.ibj.com/html/detail_page_Full.asp?content=26013)

http://chicago.ibj.com/repository/ibj/2008/12/08/36/Img/Pc0360400.jpg

College wants to operate Velodrome
Marian talking to city about creating alternative-transportation hub, community center
Sat. December 06 - 2008
Anthony Schoettle
IBJ staff

Marian College wants to take over operation of the Major Taylor Velodrome from Indy Parks and make the facility a hub for alternative transportation and Midwestern cycling.

Marian hopes to have a deal signed with city officials in early 2009.

“We have a memorandum of understanding in place, and we’re meeting this month to get things ironed out,” said Dean Peterson, Marian’s head cycling coach and an instructor at the private Catholic university on Cold Spring Road, north of West 30th Street. “Things look positive.”

Indy Parks officials emphasized that the deal is not complete.

Peterson is hopeful an agreement will be finalized by or before March, and that Marian can proceed with a multifaceted marketing initiative intended to bolster bicycle racing and attendance at the track just north of Marian’s campus.

“We’re not going to get all of this done in the next six months, but we hope to have a strong start in 2009,” Peterson said.

Indy Parks spokeswoman Paula Freund said the city intends to maintain oversight of the facility. “Marian has some strong ideas about sustainability, and we’re excited about that,” Freund said. “We feel this could be a strong public-private partnership.”

In addition to bringing in a variety of track cycling races—from world-class events to those open to all comers—Marian wants to build a three-fourths-mile road course around and adjacent to the Velodrome for racing, training and riding classes. A weekly road race series could begin next summer.

Marian’s plan also includes enhancing off-road riding infrastructure for BMX, mountain and cyclecross bikes, as well as a two-mile perimeter loop for walking, running and leisure riding. Combined with trails in the Marian College EcoLab, an outdoor nature preserve of sorts, the new loop would make available a walking/hiking trail of almost five miles. Enhancing activities at the adjacent skate board park and Rugby field also are part of the plan.

Marian also plans to develop the facility as a hub to support a park-and-ride program, linking the Velodrome to downtown, the north side and other areas via a network of bike trails. The complex also would be connected to various points around the city via IndyGo bus lines. Velodrome locker and bathroom facilities could be opened for commuters. Activities such as after-work spin classes at the nearby Marian College Cycling Center—on the school’s campus less than a half mile from the Velodrome—also would be incorporated into the plan.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Manager Mike Dearing thinks the Velodrome’s proximity to Interstate 65 and several major roads, multiple trail networks and bus lines makes it an ideal “multi-modal transportation hub.”

“Anytime we hear this type of interest in alternative and multi-modal transportation from the private sector, it’s very exciting,” said Dearing, who added that he has not yet talked to Marian officials directly. “This plan seems logical, and forming appropriate partnerships is critical to making it happen. I think this has a lot of potential.”

Those in the cycling community think the initiative will not only boost the profile of the sport, but also elevate the status of the city.

“In the 1980s, when this facility was built, Indianapolis was fast becoming a cycling mecca, then it fizzled due to a lack of funding and attention,” said Brian Gootee, owner of Gray Goat Sports, a cycling and fitness store on South East Street, south of Thompson Road. “We have to make amenities a priority in this city. I can’t tell you how many times a week we’re asked where the infrastructure for bicycling in this community is. Those types of amenities are what make people want to live and work here.”


Peterson said the plan goes beyond two-wheeled activities. Marian officials want to host school field trips and summer camps at the Velodrome and Marian’s nearby Eco-Lab, making it a place kids can learn about physical fitness and environmental issues.

“We think with the recent emphasis put on issues such as childhood obesity and overall green living, this is a perfect time for this initiative,” Peterson said.

Marian’s initiative also comes on the heels of Mayor Greg Ballard’s announced plans to make the city more bike-friendly with 200 miles of dedicated bicycle lanes on city streets. The implementation of the 15-year plan will begin next spring.

One issue Marian officials are studying closely is the facility’s budget.

“We think we can increase programming and make this a self-sustaining operation,” Peterson said. He added that Marian doesn’t plan to profit financially from the arrangement. “It would be break-even,” he added.

Just getting to break-even will be a challenge. The Velodrome’s operating budget this year is $109,840 and year-to-date revenue is $41,527, according to Indy Parks. Next year, the city is budgeting $98,893 for operations. Gray Goat’s Gootee said it’s not enough.

“That facility is underutilized and underfunded,” he said. “Outsourcing might be a good way to get some fresh blood, fresh ideas and new resources into that facility.”

Indy Parks officials conceded that rest rooms and locker facilities along with concession stands at the Velodrome need work. Peterson said Marian’s plan can help address those shortcomings.

Marian officials are already discussing advertising and sponsorship possibilities with area businesses to help bolster funding.

“We think there are businesses that will want to be a part of this plan,” Peterson said. “Greater utilization of the facility means increased exposure for them.”

Nancy Tibbett, Indiana Bicycle Coalition executive director, thinks Peterson and Marion will make strong partners because of Peterson’s contacts in the local, regional and national cycling world. “I think with the contacts and proposed ideas they have, they could expand funding for that facility and erase the operational deficit within two or three years.”

Peterson admits that raising Marian’s profile through its management of a city landmark and raising the profile of its already nationally acclaimed cycling program are attractive to the school’s leadership, but those are not the primary objectives.

“We’re looking to utilize a community asset so that it can be truly valued by the masses,” Peterson said.

http://chicago.ibj.com/repository/ibj/2008/12/08/36/Img/Pc0360300.jpg

[arenn]

Here's a small but good example of how Indy and outlying industrial cities can collaborate.

http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=44913

Terre Haute International Airport votes to join Indianapolis foreign trade zone

(Terre Haute) Tribune Star
By Crystal Garcia, The Tribune-Star

crystal.garcia@tribstar.com

TERRE HAUTE - Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field is one step closer to establishing a foreign trade zone.

Members of the Airport Authority Board unanimously voted Wednesday to become part of INzone, Greater Indianapolis Foreign Trade Zone's foreign trade zone No. 72.

Board member Mose Kassis was absent.

Next, the board must submit a formal request to INzone to become part of its zone. It is expected to take between 90 and 120 days and $1,500 for the zone to be established.

Once the zone is established, it must be activated. To be activated, a company just needs to use the zone.

Reel Time Logistics already has expressed interest to Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett's office of its need for a foreign trade zone.

A foreign trade zone allows U.S.-based companies to defer, reduce or even eliminate Customs duties on products admitted to the zone.

In 1999, Terre Haute was designated foreign trade zone No. 239, but the status was lost in 2006 because the zone was never activated. Becoming a part of INzone would save more than $40,000 and months of time.

Joining INzone was approved with the understanding that Terre Haute can still establish its own zone should that eventually need to be done.

John Van Etten, board member, thanked the mayor's office for the work it had done to make the board aware of this situation to save so much time and money.

[arenn]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20081220/LOCAL0101/812200339/1150/LOCAL0101

Plan balances ambition, realism
'If the economy does not support it, then we'll wait until it does,' says Westfield mayor about his city's downtown proposal
By Tania E. Lopez
Posted: December 20, 2008

A private group has unveiled details of a 25-year plan that could be used as a guide to redevelop downtown Westfield.

The plan has grand goals:
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Establishing a civic center with a downtown library and city hall.

Improving the street networks.

Marketing the future junction of Midland Trace and Monon trails.

Establishing an urban district for retail, entertainment and residential use.

The goal of Thursday's presentation to the Westfield Washington Chamber of Commerce was to show how the city could accomplish a downtown redevelopment in a fiscally manageable way despite the downturn in the national economy and the state's added restrictions on spending.

"If the economy does not support it, then we'll wait until it does," said Mayor Andy Cook, who formed the Grand Junction Task Group in 2007 before Westfield became a city. The plan is about two-thirds done and is expected to be presented to the City Council early next year.

Cook said the city would finance the planning, design and the installation of road and utility needs in the plan.

The Grand Junction Task Group's proposal envisions downtown Westfield as a connection spot where communities and residents can be linked through a series of trails. Their vision also helped shape the city's plan for the Grand Junction Plaza, a downtown development project where a spur of the Monon and Midland Trace trails eventually would connect.

Cook said the purpose of the plan is to foster government and private investment for downtown.

Rick Hitchcock of Hitchcock Design Group, which has offices in Chicago and Naperville, Ill., presented the group's preferred strategy to more than 200 Westfield business people, residents, developers and officials at a luncheon at the Bridgewater Club.

"Our intent is to portray something that is absolutely market-supported," he said.

Hitchcock, who the group hired this summer, estimated the city could spend $50.7 million for utility, storm water drainage and street improvements, and the construction of the Grand Junction Plaza. After the city prepares the site and builds the plaza, he estimated, private investments could reach $673 million and result in $3.7 million in additional tax revenue each year.

Some things that the plan calls for already are under way.

The Midland Trace is completed to Union Street, and the city has begun expanding the Monon Trail from 146th Street to 156th Street.

The Monon Trail is expected to be eight miles long within five years.

In addition, to better connect motorists in the city's redeveloped downtown and its neighborhoods, city planners in October proposed opening nearly 60 dead-end streets or T-intersections within a one-mile radius of downtown. Cook wants plans for connecting downtown to local neighborhoods to be done by the middle of next year.

[arenn]

By the way, I'm super-excited about the possibility of more suburban towns doing these massive town center projects. Every one that does it creates demand for more locally as the rest of the burbs have to be in the game to compete. It will be particularly great if Speedway and Westfield can get theirs off the ground. Carmel is nice and all, but the Carmel brand carries a lot of baggage in some quarters, unfortunately. I don't think a lot of places see them as the place to emulate. But if places like Speedway and Westfield do it, I think that will really inspire others.

[runNgunn]

Anyone else heard about this incinerator planned for Anderson? http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20081228/NEWS01/812280347/1002
(I'll try to find a better article.) It is supposed to create 40 jobs. It will be emit less pollution than most incinerators, but will still put lead and dioxin into the atmosphere.

(Disclosure: My sister and my 18 month old niece live within a mile of the site so I obviously feel very strongly about it.) I know Indiana needs jobs but does 40 jobs make up for the potential health issues and environmental issues this incinerator could cause?

[hoosier]

Westfield has eye on federal money

Trail work among local proposals for stimulus funding

By Robert Annis
robert.annis@indystar.com

The economic stimulus package that the Obama administration is proposing could extend the Monon and Midland trails, improve Westfield roads and fund a variety of other projects.

The federal government has asked local governments for shovel-ready projects that could benefit from money from Washington. Westfield has listed more than $35 million in requests, including $2 million for the trails.

Collectively, Hamilton County entities hope to snag more than a quarter-billion dollars through the massive infrastructure improvement plan the next administration is putting in place to stimulate the sluggish economy.

Current estimates call for $675 billion to $850 billion to be spent nationwide on infrastructure projects this year and next, although no one seems to know the exact details.

Hamilton County, Carmel, Westfield and CIRTA, the entity behind a proposed mass transit system connecting Noblesville with Downtown Indianapolis, have made more than $250 million in requests.

Noblesville, Fishers and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization didn't respond to requests for information Tuesday, and Indiana Department of Transportation spokesman Bruce Childs declined to say what projects would be considered.

The federal government typically pays about 80 percent of approved project costs, but Ehren Bingaman, executive director of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority, believed that because the package is designed to stimulate the economy, the feds may be willing to pay all of the costs for projects.

If all of the projects were to be chosen -- a highly unlikely event -- it could save Hamilton County taxpayers around $50 million.

Hamilton County Highway Engineer Jim Neal said the planning group was given little guidance about the process for requesting funds so it was unable to give his department much direction on the types of projects to submit.

"We haven't been given a lot of guidance as to what strings are attached, and if we're going to have to go through the normal federal aid process," Neal said. "We just picked projects that we thought could be shovel-ready in 180 days. Some of them would have to go through some pretty quick engineering, but it wouldn't be insurmountable."

The county suggested about $30 million in projects, including the next two Riverwalk Trail phases and several bridges and structures, as well as the road resurfacing schedule for 2009.

CIRTA requested nearly $100 million for light-rail projects, including $21 million for four stations, $26 million for 22 miles of new track and $41.5 million for three new trains. Even if CIRTA received all of its requested funding, Bingaman said it would still be late 2012 before the light-rail system would be operating.

Carmel requested the most aid of all municipalities in the county, asking for $120 million for several new projects as well as financial help for existing ones, including $44 million for the Keystone Avenue upgrade.

If funding is approved, city officials estimate, nearly 3,500 jobs will be created from the public-works projects.

The infrastructure stimulus package likely will boost employment and spending throughout the county, according to Neal.

"There are still some major projects still going on in the area, although from talking to contractors this winter, not many have jobs on the books to start the spring," Neal said. "It could be a definite boost, because a lot of the non-road building work they've done -- the commercial work, like parking lots -- has slowed down quite a bit. They're all looking for work."

Proposed projects for Westfield

Paving

151st Street-Carey Road to Setters Road, $889,394.

East Access Road (between Greyhound Pass and 151st Street), $4,970,000.

151st Street (Thatcher Road to Oak Road). $2,458,000.

151st Street (Oak Road to Carey Road) $4,200,000

Road widening, resurfacing

Spring Mill Road from 146th Street to Ind. 32, $2,641,400.

Carey Road from 146th Street to 161st Street, $1,254,900.

161st Street from Spring Mill Road to U.S. 31, $1,512,400.

Oak Ridge Road from 146th Street to Ind. 32, $2,592,700.

169th Street from Oak Ridge Road to U.S. 31, $546,300.

David Brown Road from U.S. 31 to Union Street, $338,900.

156th Street from Towne Road to U.S. 31, $3,370,600.

Little Eagle Creek from 146th Street to Shelborne Road, $1,382,800.

East Street from Ind. 32 to 191st Street, $1,313,700.

Tomlinson Road from U.S. 31 to 196th Street, $734,900.

General

161st Street and Spring Mill Road intersection improvement, $42,900.

156th Street bridge replacement, $611,100.

161st Street and Carey Road roundabout, $1,675,000.

Greyhound Pass and Spring Mill Road passing blister, $108,000.

Monon Trail, 156th Street to Ind. 32, $846,000.

Midland Trail, Union Street to Gray Road, $1,400,000.

Hill Crest water main replacement, $80,000.

Well water line installation, $22,600.

Well 14 installation, $300,000,

146th Street water tower building, $10,000.

Maple Knoll water tower, $1,000,000.

Adios Pass force main replacement, $100,000.

Merrimac lift station lining, $130,000.

Sanitary sewer manhole lining, $100,000.

Lift station updating, $200,000.

Three-phase power to Merrimac lift station, $90,000.

Beechwood storm water improvement, $350,000.

Total: $35,271,594

[runNgunn]

"Ball State University plans to drill 3,750 wells, each 400 feet deep, to tap the earth's nearly constant temperature for campus heating and cooling.

The geothermal conversion project will eliminate the university's coal-fired boilers, which currently produce 85,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year, said Tom Kinghorn, Ball State treasurer and vice president of business affairs.

He said the geothermal wells will also reduce operating costs, promote a cleaner environment and create an estimated 870 jobs."

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=9806552

According to the Star-Press article (http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20090207/NEWS01/902070312/1002), this will be the largest geothermal project in the country while costing just about as much as the previously planned boiler upgrades. Between this project, the wind turbine factory, and the institute for digital fabrication, does anyone think Ball State and Muncie are poised to become a center for renewable energy/sustainability in the state?

[hoosier]

^^I hope so. These are the types of projects that should receive stimulus funding.

[runNgunn]

I've been doing more reading up on the proposed system because I was slightly worried that Ball State might get over its head on this one, but the research is looking good.

"With the assistance of Sen. Richard Lugar's office, university officials consulted with experts from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in conceptualizing the geothermal proposal. The next step was to engage geothermal design experts to produce a proof of concept based on Ball State's profile of heating and cooling needs and the results of a test borehole on campus. They were able to establish that heat pump chillers with the addition of geothermal storage are technologically feasible and would offer tremendous energy savings for Ball State.

After review of the project plan, Richard Hayter, PhD, PE, former president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), wrote, "Not only will the proposed project significantly reduce operating costs, it will give international recognition to the university as a role model for adopting cutting-edge technology of a magnitude that is without equal … I am quite familiar with the engineering capabilities of one of the principal firms involved in the project and am confident that they are prepared to provide the engineering leadership to make this a success."

http://www.bsu.edu/news/article/0,1370,7273-850-61190,00.html

[runNgunn]

Not sure if this is of interest to anyone, but the US 52 road expansion through New Palestine started today. It will be going from two lanes to three (Center turn lane.) A lot of trees had to be cut for the project, but INDOT is supposed to be replacing them once the project is finished. The town also got a grant for decorative lighting. Supposedly will look like old gas lamps, but I hope they don't look like the decorative gas lamp type lighting in Carmel or on Meridian. It's only about a half mile of construction work, but it could change the feel of the entire town. (Not too hard since it is so small.) I can share pictures of the project if anyone is interested. I live in New Palestine.

[cwilson758]

InDOT loves to take out trees. Cumberland had their 100+ year old trees along Washington Street/US 40 removed last year for the expansion project slated to start in 2000. Oh wait, it's 2009 now.

The removal of the trees made a huge, and unfortunately, bad impact on the streetscape of little ol' Cumbertucky.

[hoosier]

Fishers maps its 'hot spots' for development

Official says projects worth more than $2 billion are progressing and development is weathering the nation's economic downturn

By Carrie Ritchie
carrie.ritchie@indystar.com

Fishers has put its development on the map.

The town has created an online map detailing some of the development "hot spots" within its borders. But several of the "hot spots" for 2009 are stalled or struggling to find tenants.

All of the projects, which total more than $2 billion, are moving forward in some way, said Wes Bucher, director of development.

Though he admits Fishers has been hit by the economic downturn, Bucher said the town is weathering the storm.

"We're still experiencing a good amount of growth and a good amount of investment in the community," he said.

To view the map, visit www.fishers .in.us, scroll to the bottom of the page and search for "Hot Spots Map."

RiverPlace

Centre Properties does not know when construction will begin on this $500 million, mixed-use project. The developer planned to break ground on an office building last fall, but stopped when the economy started to sink.

The company would like to start building this year, but it will have to see some signs of economic recovery, said Chris Carmen, vice president of marketing, leasing and development.

Centre is talking with restaurants that might be interested in building on the southern edge of the property, which runs along 96th Street. It's also trying to bring apartments and condos to the 185-acre development.

Airport property/ Light rail transit hub

Fishers officials hope to turn Metropolitan Airport into a light rail transit hub with mixed-use development, but it seems their plans cannot get off the ground.

Susan Sullivan, spokeswoman for Indianapolis International Airport, said the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board has no plans to move or close the Fishers-based airport.

"We continue to own, operate and manage the Metropolitan Airport, and we don't foresee any changes to that," Sullivan said.

Fishers Town Center

Fishers has gone back to the drawing board to revamp its downtown.

In November, Cleveland-based Fairmount Properties pulled out of a $100 million project to redevelop the area, and the town has appointed a group of residents to come up with a plan to move forward.

The Town Center Redevelopment Steering Committee hopes to present a plan to the Town Council this summer so zoning and infrastructure can be altered to prepare for construction.

I-69's Exit 5

Though nothing major is happening at Exit 5, a new office complex is springing up on the other side of the highway.

Concourse at Crosspoint, a $100 million, five-building complex, is scheduled to finish its first building in October, said Jen Thomas, spokeswoman for developer Edgeworth Laskey. So far, the building has one tenant, which will occupy one of its four floors, she said. The rest of the space is for lease.

Fishers Marketplace

Construction on a hotel, water park, shops and multifamily housing on the northeast corner of 131st Street and Ind. 37 should begin this summer.

The Puller Group hopes to complete the $130 million project in about two years.

Problems delayed construction, which was supposed to begin last summer. The builder is struggling to set up sewers on the south side of the property and is waiting for a traffic signal to be installed at the site's access off Ind. 37 at 135th Street, said Kenneth A. Puller, a partner on the project.

Saxony/Medical technology corridor

The 700-acre Saxony in Fishers' northeastern corner is being developed, but will not be finished for 10 years. The $550 million development encompasses parts of Noblesville and Fishers.

Saxony's single-family housing portion is wrapping up, but there is more multifamily residential, office and retail space to come, said Rick Arnos, president of Republic Development. Construction on a 269-unit apartment complex will begin this summer.

Republic sold some of its land to Clarian so it could bring in a medical park. A medical office building is still under way, but Clarian has postponed construction on a $180 million hospital.

Britton Falls

Pulte's Britton Falls, estimated at $700 million, is about one-fifth complete.

Of the 1,050 planned homes for a senior citizen community, 190 have been occupied and another 25 to 30 are waiting to close, said Todd Hahn, Pulte's vice president of sales.

The company hopes to have 250 to 260 homes built and sold by the end of the year, he said. Hahn estimated the project would be complete by 2016.

Southeast Fishers

No major construction is going on in this area, but some residential and small commercial projects are still under way, said Martin Scribner, assistant director of development.

Fishers' southeastern corner, which has been under construction for about five years, has seen some slowdown, he said, but it's still "an area of continuing development."

[hoosier]

^^I just hope Fishers has funding set aside to improve its roads. All of this growth is straining the infrastructure.

It is a shame that a deal was not reached to move the airport midway between Fishers and Anderson. That would have allowed more room for development and the construction of the light rail hub.

[cwilson758]

^^I just hope Fishers has funding set aside to improve its roads. All of this growth is straining the infrastructure.

It is a shame that a deal was not reached to move the airport midway between Fishers and Anderson. That would have allowed more room for development and the construction of the light rail hub.

shhh...but that deal isn't dead.

[arenn]

Sign of the Apocalypse?

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090415/LOCAL0104/904150391

Noblesville denies 1st housing project in years
By Chris Sikich
Posted: April 15, 2009

The Noblesville City Council has denied the first housing project to seek approval in several years.

Beazer Homes wanted to build 31 houses on 27.4 acres at 156th Street and Summer Road near its Deer Path neighborhood. Logan's Pointe would have offered six house styles, with an average price of $250,000. The smallest home would have been about 2,000 square feet.

Council members Roy Johnson, Mark Boice, Brian Ayer and Greg O'Connor were concerned about architectural standards, including the way corners are configured and the angles of roofs.

Mary Sue Rowland and Dale Snelling voted Tuesday in favor of the project.

The Plan Commission had unanimously recommended the project be approved.

[ragerunner1]

Sign of the Apocalypse?

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090415/LOCAL0104/904150391

Noblesville denies 1st housing project in years
By Chris Sikich
Posted: April 15, 2009

The Noblesville City Council has denied the first housing project to seek approval in several years.

Beazer Homes wanted to build 31 houses on 27.4 acres at 156th Street and Summer Road near its Deer Path neighborhood. Logan's Pointe would have offered six house styles, with an average price of $250,000. The smallest home would have been about 2,000 square feet.

Council members Roy Johnson, Mark Boice, Brian Ayer and Greg O'Connor were concerned about architectural standards, including the way corners are configured and the angles of roofs.

Mary Sue Rowland and Dale Snelling voted Tuesday in favor of the project.

The Plan Commission had unanimously recommended the project be approved.

Almost brings a tear to your eye.:applause:

[arenn]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090423/LOCAL0103/904230346/1001/ARCHIVE

Westfield planners endorse big downtown redevelopment plan; it goes to City Council for final decision
City Council could make the final decision about Grand Junction plan Monday
By Carrie Ritchie
Posted: April 23, 2009

Westfield residents have mixed feelings about downtown redevelopment.

Some of the roughly 40 people who attended the Advisory Plan Commission's public hearing on Grand Junction praised the plan for downtown improvement. Others at Monday's meeting expressed concerns about the project's cost and feasibility.

The commission eventually approved the plan 8-1. The City Council could adopt the plan during its 7 p.m. meeting Monday in City Hall.

"When the economy is bad, it's a good time to be making plans," said David Weiss, a downtown business owner who spoke in support of Grand Junction. "When the economy turns, it's ready to go."

Grand Junction calls for major changes -- including street expansions and extensive office, commercial and residential development -- in Westfield's downtown area. The city would invest about $50 million in hopes of attracting $673 million in private development. The cost of a new library and City Hall is not included in those figures.

Six people addressed the commission. Two liked the plan, but the other four were concerned about its feasibility.

"I'm for a downtown plan, but I'm not for this plan," said Brian Morales, who disagreed with the way the city had reconfigured downtown streets. He also questioned how much the public was involved in drafting the plan.

Ron Thomas, a resident who has often spoken against the plan, doubts Westfield could sustain the type of development the plan recommends.

"Is that really realistic?" he said. "We're a suburb of a suburb."

Jim Anderson, co-chairman of the Grand Junction Task Group, which authored the plan, assured the public the plan is just a concept and that nothing is finalized.

Plan Commission member Russell Cameron, who owns property downtown, voted against the plan. He had several concerns about Grand Junction, including its financial and engineering feasibility.

"I didn't think it was really ready, in a way," he said. "Sometimes visions can be taken to the next step without regard to price."

Westfield already has paid $165,000 for the plan alone and could spend an additional $55,000 if the City Council approves it, Mayor Andy Cook says. Cameron thinks the public investment eventually will be more than $50 million.

Cameron said he does not like the fact that the Grand Junction Task Group, a "quasi public group," has had such a large role in the planning process. He's also concerned that developers might be hesitant to get involved in the project when Anderson, who's leading Grand Junction, is a developer.

Despite the criticism that came from Cameron and some residents, Julie Sole, executive director of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce and a downtown resident, sees only positives in the plan.

The chamber has been trying to initiate downtown renovation for years, she said. She encouraged others to not be afraid of change.

"I think it'd be harder," she said, "if we stayed the way we are now."

[arenn]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090423/LOCAL0505/904230322/1001/ARCHIVE

Main Street project is more than skin deep
Beautification efforts in Plainfield will dovetail with infrastructure improvements
By Bruce C. Smith
Posted: April 23, 2009

Boosted with millions in federal funding, Plainfield is poised to start a yearlong reconstruction of Main Street.

Town officials agree the work will disrupt traffic, but say they have tried to plan it so that state and local projects will be done at the same time and the roadway torn up only once.

Aging roadways and utility lines will be replaced, and the appearance -- the streetscape -- of the old downtown will be spruced up.

The soon-to-be-rebuilt section of Main, spanning more than a mile in the oldest part of town between Vestal and Carr roads, will include street lights and other features reminiscent of the era of the Old National Road.

New storm and sanitary sewers required by federal officials will run underground.

The cost will approach $11 million, with large chunks of the money coming from state and federal grants, including federal economic stimulus funds.

"What will Main Street look like this time next year? It will be substantially different," said Town Manager Rich Carlucci.

Town Transportation Director Don McGillem said some traffic cones and other barricades could begin to appear in Main Street, or U.S. 40, any day. Construction crews are ready to begin when weather permits.

"U.S. 40 will be frustrating at times, because we'll be reducing the traffic in places to just one lane eastbound and one westbound," he said.

Local residents should use alternative roads running east and west, such as Township Line Road north of U.S. 40 or Stafford Road or Buchanan Street south of the construction zone.

The Plainfield Web site at www.town ofplainfield.com/main has maps of upcoming road-building projects.

Carlucci and McGillem broke down some of the details:

An aging four-lane bridge of U.S. 40 over White Lick Creek will be removed and replaced with a five-lane bridge in a $2.85 million project starting within days.

Three Indiana Transportation Enhancement Grants totaling about $1.96 million are to improve the appearance along the sides of Main. These streetscape grants will pay for new sidewalks, decorative street lighting, signs and traffic signals.

The town received nearly $2.86 million in federal stimulus money announced this month to separate the combined sewer pipes that carry both rain water and sewage under U.S. 40. The project is to prevent sewage from reaching White Lick Creek.

The funding also is to help repave U.S. 40 between Carr Road and the White Lick Creek bridge.

On the far western end of the Main Street project, the town is spending about $1.2 million to expand the U.S. 40 intersection at Vestal Road.

[Wu-Gambino]

I know that previous article is fairly old, but I've been meaning to say this for a long time. Plainfield has done an absolutely outstanding job with their infrastructure improvements. They have also done a nice job of incorporating waking/bike paths and trails with almost any new road project. These trails seem to many good things, including improving the overall aesthetics of the town, getting people outside, and even serving as an alternative to roads for travel. They should serve as a model for all suburbs in the metro area.

[arenn]

I agree. They've done the best in securing a commercial base as well. They've got a lot of trails, plus they completed a new high school just ahead of the tax caps.

What they really need to figure out how to do next is renew their downtown area. They need to do a base infrastructure refresh similar to what Carmel did, by adding storm drains, curb/gutter, sidewalk, etc., and looking to boost the commercial zone.

[AmericanDirt]

When I was there a few weeks ago, Plainfield was engaged in storm drains, sidewalk, curb/gutter construction in some of the oldest parts of the town near the main street. It seemed relatively non-disruptive. As I referenced on an older blog post (http://dirtamericana.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-is-retail-so-fickle.html), the city struggles with high vacancy along the strip malls in the US 40 corridor; they appear to have overestimated the retail demand in proportion to population growth. If I recall, Metropolis is far from 100% occupancy. I hope the town's infrastructure improvements will help its small Main Street, though I suspect it will reveal similarities to the 38th Street Improvements, which were primarily cosmetic and did nothing to change the fact that its still a six-lane arterial for high-speed car traffic.

[mobyhead]

Greenwood merger would create one of state's largest cities
http://www.ibj.com/tax-issues-color-merger/PARAMS/article/7120
September 19, 2009
The new city would count more than 80,000 residents. In terms of population, it would zoom past Fishers and Carmel to rank sixth or seventh in the state.

A merger Greenwood is eyeing with White River Township would create one of the largest suburban cities in the state.

Encompassing Center Grove and Smith Valley, the new city would count more than 80,000 residents. In terms of population, it would zoom past Fishers and Carmel to rank sixth or seventh in the state.

Affluent neighborhoods and shopping make greater Greenwood the south-side heavyweight. But at 47,740 residents, the city lacks the horsepower of its north-side peers, where population is pushing 70,000.

Unlike annexation, a merger completely reorganizes local government. White River Township’s advisory board and trustee would be eliminated, and other government offices would take over their duties. Taxes would be restructured. So would governing bodies.

If successful, Greenwood’s merger would be only the second since the Legislature passed the Government Modernization Act of 2006.

“Doing something like this is a major challenge,” IUPUI urban planning professor John Ottensmann said. “That’s why you don’t have scores of places around the state engaged in that.”

The town of Zionsville was the first municipality to take advantage of the merger option. In January, the town of 20,000 will join with Union and Eagle townships, adding 12,000 residents and 50 square miles.

The plan for a new Greenwood has been inching forward since January and could gain traction this fall. A first draft of the plan will be presented Sept. 21 to a joint meeting of the Greenwood Common Council and White River Township Advisory Board.

Proponents of the merger say it would finally bring city services to densely populated but unincorporated areas. A new Greenwood could leverage the larger population and tax base to create more recreational amenities, and possibly attract corporate offices and high-end retail.

The proposal also has its critics. Greenwood’s scrappy southern rival, the town of Bargersville, sees the merger as payback for its pending attempt to annex part of a commercial corridor, State Road 135.

Residents in the southern part of the township, who are not part of the disputed annexation, want no part of a merger with Greenwood. As a result, they requested annexation by the more rural town of Bargersville.

White River Township has simmered for years over the fate of its fast-growing suburbs. The grass-roots group White River Citizens United last year held a series of forums on the topic.

Should they remain unincorporated, form their own government, or join with Bargersville or Greenwood?

President Larry Hilkene said the status quo has left residents with little influence over the planning of strip malls that have sprung up around Greenwood.

“We think something needs to happen,” he said.

The citizens group capped its series of discussions with a survey.

“I don’t think there was a clear winner among the options on what the township should do,” Hilkene said.

The citizens group presented the options to Bargersville and Greenwood. Although some of its members are involved in the reorganization committee, Hilkene said the group hasn’t taken a stand on the matter.

“We’re still waiting to see what the final proposals are,” Hilkene said. “We don’t know what the tax rate would be. We don’t know what all the services offered would be.”

Detailed work

The Greenwood-White River Township merger must clear several hurdles. The reorganization committee must get its detailed plan approved by both Greenwood’s common council and the township board.

Once elected officials on both sides agree, the plan goes to voters as a ballot issue, possibly in May 2010. A simple majority of voters in each political subdivision must agree to the merger.

The decision might be simple, once voters see the numbers.

Taxes will go up for unincorporated areas, reorganization committee Chairman Pat Sherman said. But he believes the rate will be more affordable than if residents of the Center Grove area had created a municipality from scratch.

Sherman likens the situation to “more horses pulling the wagon,” in which case the real winner is Greenwood.

“Because the community is going to be larger,” he said, “we believe the tax rate for the city of Greenwood will be lower.”

Other details are starting to make their way out of six subcommittees. According to draft recommendations, Greenwood’s common council would grow from seven members to 11. Like Zionsville, the merged city would set up two taxing districts, one urban and one rural. The Greenwood Police Department, which has 57 officers, would require 17 more officers and four additional dispatchers.

Mark Messick, a township board member who lives in Greenwood, said the merger should result in a “more effective, more efficient” government. So far, he sees the committee proposing bigger and more numerous government functions.

Considering the recent Bargersville annexations, Messick said he might reject any plan that calls for merging areas south of Whiteland Road.

Southern township residents have made it clear they don’t want to be part of Greenwood, Messick said. “Do you really want somebody to be part of your town who doesn’t want to be?”

Old rivals

While subcommittees toil, Greenwood and Bargersville are squaring off over potentially valuable land.

The long-standing animosity reached a new height last year, when Greenwood sued to stop Bargersville from annexing 2,280 acres along State Road 135 north from Whiteland Road to Stones Crossing Road. The 1.9-square-mile area includes a Marsh Supermarket, plus about 2,000 residents.

The annexation falls within three miles of Greenwood’s limits, but Bargersville said it had obtained consent from more than 51 percent of the landowners. A Montgomery County judge is expected to rule on the dispute late this month.

Bargersville obtained the consent through sewer service agreements. Greenwood argues that form of consent doesn’t meet the legal test.

This year, Bargersville agreed to annex two more areas: 13 square miles in the southwest portion of the township that’s home to about 1,800 residents, and 1,100 acres in the southeast with about 40 residents.

In both cases, the residents asked to be added to Bargersville.

The southwest quadrant is another potentially lucrative tax base because it includes a stretch of State Road 37. The annexations would take effect Jan. 2, 2010, but there’s talk in Greenwood of asking a court to intervene.

Some merger proponents believe all annexations beginning after the study committee started its work should be frozen, Messick said.

Ottensmann at IUPUI said there’s no legal basis for halting annexations to make way for a merger. “You’d be trampling on the existing rights of municipalities.”

Nick Kile, a Barnes and Thornburg attorney who represents Bargersville, noted that 90 percent of households in southwest White River signed a petition for annexation to Bargersville. Considering the overwhelming number, he said, “I would hope the reorganization committee and the city would leave them alone.”

Bargersville Town Council President Steve Welch said the town, which also has about 8,000 water utility customers in White River, wanted to be involved in the merger planning.

“Bargersville has made a good-faith attempt from day one to talk to our neighbors,” he said.

Kile and a consultant to Bargersville, Mike Shaver, believe the disputed S.R. 135 annexation motivated the White River board and Greenwood to work together. They contend that Greenwood took on the merger so it could gain all the unincorporated areas without an expensive annexation battle.

Although 51 percent of township voters must approve a merger, Shaver said the number of voters in the northern half of the township would easily overwhelm the south.

“This is about Greenwood getting the rest of the township,” Shaver complained.

A merger gives local government flexibility, but it does not necessarily eliminate controversy, Ottensmann said.

“Those are the same things that come up in annexations,” he said. “It’s the kind of situation where not everybody’s going to be happy with what results.”•

[AmericanDirt]

I'm not a fan of bloated mega-burbs in theory (they often end up suffering the same infrastructure lags that Indianapolis has struggled with since Unigov), but this undeniably would help raise Greenwood's Cachet. The unincorporated area west of Greenwood is generally referred to as Center Grove for reasons unclear to me, though I know it's the name of the High School. This area is almost uniformly affluent--probably more so than Greenwood as a whole. A merger could elicit a tax base that allows the sort of improvements Carmel has implemented in recent years, which has long been a source of Greenwood's envy.

[arenn]

Fishers eyes 900 acre tech park

http://www.indystar.com/article/20091005/LOCAL0102/910050302/Fishers+eyes+900-acre+medical++tech+park

Fishers to unveil 900-acre medical, tech plan
By Carrie Ritchie
Posted: October 5, 2009

FISHERS -- The town's leaders are developing a plan for a massive medical and technology park on the northeast side.

Planning officials will unveil the plan, which the town has kept quiet for the last year, to the Town Council at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

"We have not made a big public thing about it," Development Director Wes Bucher said. "We feel the council ought to be the first ones to see it."

The plan divides about 900 acres between I-69's Exit 10 and the county's eastern border -- about three miles apart -- into five districts with different characteristics and uses.

Most of the area, which is primarily homes and farmland, would be switched to "corporate park" zoning that allows everything from commercial to industrial and higher education developments, Bucher said.

Denser development would allow the town to collect about $36.3 million more in impact fees, according to the plan. The corporate park also would increase the land's assessed value by nearly $602 million and add 29,000 jobs, according to the plan.

The five districts would be south of I-69 from the Noblesville-Ind. 238 exit to the county line. They also would cover large chunks along Ind. 238, which will be renamed Southeastern Parkway, and Cyntheanne Road.

Though the community hasn't had much input yet, the town will have public meetings with landowners in the area and public hearings before the Town Council considers adopting the plan.

The town would like to have the plan solidified by early next year. Construction will depend on developer interest, but the park likely will take several years to build out, Bucher said.

[hoosier]

Fishers is determined to develop every last acre of land within its boundaries before densifying. For shame.

[cailes]

I drive through this area everyday, and its blown up the past 2 years. Its funny though, because they mowed down the old deer creek shops earlier this year, and it literally looks like a garbage dump out in the field where the shops once stood. Looks like they were going to start on the new clarian complex, but left everything to rot... That said, construction of the new overpass has begun. They relocated power lines arecently, and the west (or north depending on how you see it) side of the overpass has been bulldozed and retaining wall construction is underway.

Going to look weird with two overpasses so close together....

[hoosier]

Going to look weird with two overpasses so close together....

Yes it is weird and very fucked up. The "upgraded" 146th Street/SR 238 overpass doesn't even have two through traffic lanes in each direction.

[cailes]

I may get to go out there and take photos. I inquired about it and appears I will be allowed to. Im hoping to pen a small article on it. haha

[cailes]

Well, I was out there at the Olio Road construction site today for over an hour and took around 80-90 photos. I am going to go through and see whats suitable for writing my little webpage, but I got some nice shots.

The guy I spoke with at the contract company, said that the purporse for this is traffic overflow for when all the medical stuff gets rolling. So I guess they are really planning ahead for it. The roundabout on the south side of the freeway is pretty much in place and operating now. It will look good when its all done. They had a site plan in the field office and I wish I could have gotten a copy of that.

[cailes]

Ive posted a few times about it, here it is.

http://hustonstreetracing.com/olio_road/DSC_0123.jpg

http://hustonstreetracing.com/olio_road/DSC_0190.jpg

http://hustonstreetracing.com/olio_road/DSC_0135.jpg

http://hustonstreetracing.com/olio_road/DSC_0188.jpg

[vitamin R]

Despite a slowdown for much of Hamilton county i see growth resuming when a recovery does occur. As for a new airport in Madison county I believe it would be a major boon for the county and the cities of Anderson, Fishers and Noblesville as well. Would love to see that plan revived, however, the city of Anderson may be the biggest obstacle. Hopefully, they will embrace a more regional outlook when it comes to developement. Otherwise, Anderson and Madison county lose out on what could be a potential economic bonanza a new regional airport would be. Such an addition could help enhance transport and commercial develpement prospects in the entire CSA, ergo jobs.

[GarfieldPark]

And hopefully, that would allow for the Metro Airport - located NW of the intersection of 96th Street and the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority Railroad - to move and the site turned into a major, dense, mixed use, transit-oriented development as hopefully, light rail transit is developed along that railroad corridor between Noblesville and downtown Indianapolis.

[cwilson758]

I drive past the Olio Rd site twice daily...it looked like they were going to go under, but evidently its going over? Boo.

As for Madison County/Anderson getting on board with the Airport, it is not dead. Further, the main land-owner, who was on the Madison County Plan Commission and opposed the plan, died last year.

I fully support the airport and in my capacity have been talking it up when warranted...we'll see.

[cailes]

I read somewhere in my research that the bid was much much lower than expected for this project. Like $8million-ish. I cant imagine going under a freeway like I-69 for that kind of money.

Im trying to get my hands on the site plans for a page I want to build, but I have yet to call the hamilton county highway guy. Got his number, just been busy.

Do like live in Anderson CW? I work in Pendleton, and live in Broad Ripple, so I too drive through there twice a day.

[cwilson758]

I live at Kessler & Binford and yes, I like work in Anderson. :)

I am the County Planning & Development Director.

[cailes]

like... i must have been doing too many things. Not sure how that made it in there. haha

I work at Remy in Pendleton so not too far away from your day job. Want to car pool? haha

[cwilson758]

like... i must have been doing too many things. Not sure how that made it in there. haha

I work at Remy in Pendleton so not too far away from your day job. Want to car pool? haha


You know John-Eric? I know him...and he works at Remy.

[cailes]

Dont believe I know who he is. There are a lot of people here though.

[mWoods]

[QUOTE=hoosier;13693379]Here is my wish list for road improvements in suburban Indianapolis:


Hendricks County:

1) Widen SR 267 from US 40 to I-74

2) Construct US 36 bypass around Danville

3) Widen US 36 to six lanes from SR 267 to I-465

4) Widen CR 100 (10th Street) from the rail underpass (just west of Ben Davis HS) to SR 267.

This wish list for Hendricks County would be a dream come true. Not necessarily in that order though. I would like to see SR 267 widened first then US 36 become 6 lanes. Although widening CR 100 might be the best place to start because of its more rural status and it could create a much needed alternate route to avoid US 36.

[GarfieldPark]

I'm probably not as familiar with Hendricks County and the far west-side as you are --- but I do wonder about widening 267. Isn't that like the main north - south street through downtown Plainfield and downtown Brownsburg (and Avon -- even though there doesn't really seem to be a "downtown" in Avon)? I'm wondering about the impacts that might occur from widening that road because it seems like that could force the removal of a lot of downtown streetscapes, trees and store-front parking along that roadway through the downtowns of those cities. I thought the Ronald Reagan Parkway was supposed to serve as the new, main North - South corridor through eastern Hendricks County. Wouldn't it make more sense to use RR Parkway for the main, heavy traffic flows and keep 267 as the more "local" main street style road - that people use when they are going into downtown Plainfield and Brownsburg to go to shops, restaurants, town hall activities, etc.? Does that make sense to you if you're a local in that area?

[arenn]

Catching up on this thread:

1. Yes, Olio is supposed to be a bridge over, I believe. And yes, the bids came in way lower than expected, meaning Hamilton County did not have to bond for the project. Their plan is to make Olio the main N-S corridor in that part of the county, from 96th to SR 38. Everything is already in the works and funded from that bridges south to 96th (if not already complete). As with 146th, the county is running the show on Olio.

2. Clearly we need the airport relocation in Madison County. It's a no brainer.

3. Regarding the Hendricks County list, items 2-4 are in the long range plan, but unfunded by short term dollars. A segment of Rockville Rd. is in the Major Moves list, but I doubt it will get built with that money. You missed arguably the most important project: grade separating SR 267 and the railroad tracks. Widening SR 267 isn't going to happen. It's going to be reconstructed as three lanes through Brownsburg, but INDOT will never widen the road. It could not be done to federal standards without significant relocations. Per usual, local gov't will have to take care of its own problems, with the Ronald Reagan Parkway and improvements to Dan Jones Rd.

The challenge with 10th St. (and 56th St., which you did not mention but is already being widened from Browsburg to Raceway) is that there is no incentive for Indianapolis to widen its sections. These roads only help people leave Marion County, and there is no growth in Wayne or far western Pike townships that would justify these projects.

[GarfieldPark]

White River Twp. OKs merger with Greenwood
By Jason Thomas and John Tuohy
Posted: December 22, 2009

GREENWOOD, Ind. -- The White River Township Board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a merger with Greenwood, a step that could lead to the Johnson County city becoming the state's sixth largest.
The board voted 3-0 for the merger following a 3 1/2-hour public meeting attended by more than 260 residents at the Center Grove High School auditorium.

It was the second of two steps necessary this week to put the measure on the May 4 ballot for consideration by voters. The Greenwood City Council on Monday approved the plan by a 4-3 vote.

If voters pass the merger, it will go into effect Jan. 1, 2011.

Township Board President Mark Messick said the merger would be good for residents in the unincorporated township in northern Johnson County.

"The township has grown to a place that is more urban than rural and it can no longer be governed by the county," he said. The county, Messick said, isn't equipped to provide the police protection, highway services and zoning and planning assistance the area needs.

"The sheriff can't put the number of deputies we need here without neglecting other parts of the county," he said. "That's true of a number of services they provide."

Residents within the current city limits would see a decrease in property taxes, and township residents would pay higher property taxes.

Greenwood City Council member Bruce Armstrong, who voted against the measure Monday, said the proposed 11-member council of the merged city would be the largest outside the Indianapolis City-County Council.

"It's an increase in the size of government," he said. "I thought we could have done it with the same size government we already have."

He also objected to a proposal to have a city controller appointed by the mayor. That would give the mayor more power, he said.

If the reorganization is approved, Greenwood (with 46,000 residents) and White River Township (with about 40,000) would combine to be one of the state's largest cities.

Its population would less than Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend and Gary but more than Hammond, Bloomington, Fishers, Carmel and Muncie.