Noblesville leaders are eying land near White River that would extend the city’s downtown area to the west.
The city is in the process of making offers to acquire 6.4 acres of land between Ind. 19 and Logan and Conner streets. Proposed plans for “West Gateway Park” include an amphitheater, trails, public event space, shelters, a parking area constructed of pervious pavement, and more.
“Plans are for some type of performance area,” Parks Director Don Seal said. “It’ll enhance the downtown experience and hopefully encourage future development of property west of White River.”
On Aug. 19, the Noblesville Plan Commission unanimously approved adding the proposed park to the Noblesville Parks Master Plan. The item will be introduced to the common council on Aug. 27.
If approved by the council, Indianapolis-based Ratio Architecture and engineering firm Butler, Fairman & Seufert will be hired to create renderings and a master plan for the proposed park. Seal said the firms were selected from companies that responded to a request for proposals. The consultants will determine how to use the land and help the city determine a cost for the project.
“It all depends on what we end up with,” Seal said. “It’s a specialty park, not a traditional swings and playground park.”
For several years the city has planned to develop the area directly west of White River to extend downtown. The city and Hamilton County are partnering to continue expanding the RiverWalk, a recreational path on the east side of the river.
“We are very excited at the possibility of turning this area into Noblesville’s newest park. Since it is located within the floodplain, a park would be the perfect use for the land and would help promote investment on the west side of the White River,” Mayor John Ditslear said. “This continues our efforts, such as the partnered construction of the Riverwalk, to highlight the river and extend the downtown area to the west.”
The former BMO Harris bank branch near the targeted property is not part of the planned land acquisition.