By Michael Rheinheimer
The City of Fishers issued a call for proposals May 29 to develop 64 acres south of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport. According to a press release from the City of Fishers, the 64 acres is the first phase for a plan to develop 200 acres owned by the Indianapolis Airport Authority. The site includes portions of 96th Street, Willow View Road and Masters Road. The deadline for proposals is June 21.
A separate call for proposals will be issued for the remaining acreage. According to the development plan, the 64 acres offered in Phase 1 are divided into seven lots.
Megan Baumgartner, director of Economic Development for the City of Fishers, expects a good response from the business community.
“We’ve had a lot of interest from companies looking to build high-end flex space,” Baumgartner said. “We imagine there will be a mix of flex, industrial and commercial office buildings proposed.”
The land is owned by the Indianapolis Airport Authority. According to the press release, a Memorandum of Understanding was established between Fishers and the IAA in 2015.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is optimistic about the call for proposals.
“We have seen a significant amount of interest in this property since our M.O.U. was established, but developers and companies have been hesitant due to the preference of land leases,” Fadness said. “We now have the chance to sell this land and continue to transform development along 96th Street.”
Jones Lang Lasalle Inc. has been hired as the marketing broker for the project. JLL is billing the land as Metro Park and is using Fishers’ proximity to Indianapolis and I-465 as primary selling points. JLL’s marketing material also touts the city’s safety and quality of life as positives.
According to Baumgartner, the money generated from the sale will go to the Federal Aviation Administration, unless a separate agreement is made.
