Looking ahead: 2016 to bring changes in government, roads, development

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Noblesville looks ahead to 2016, welcoming new businesses and projects. (Submitted photos)
Noblesville looks ahead to 2016, welcoming new businesses and projects. (Submitted photos)

 

By Sadie Hunter

 

Each year, the City of Noblesville grows, from expanded city services to development to new roundabouts and more. In 2016, Mayor John Ditslear says residents can expect to see that growth continued.

“The number one goal each year is public safety and making people feel secure about living, working and visiting our great city. We also want to increase our quality of life through a variety of initiatives,” Ditslear said. “Quality of life initiatives are important because they not only provide residents with more options, but they make the city more enticing for businesses interested in moving here. We plan to see our success of attracting, retaining and expanding business continue in 2016.”

MONEY

Budget

The $75,522,123 in-the-black budget for 2016 was passed by the Noblesville Common Council Oct. 28, with a general fund totaling $45,291,270.

During budget discussion, city councilors and Ditslear alike agreed it wasn’t an easy budget year, particularly after what they say amounts to approximately $5 million annually in losses as a result of property tax caps implemented by the state.

“City departments have done their best to continue to provide services at the same quality our residents expect with less employees and resources,” Ditslear said. “We are running a lean city budget, but there are projects (and) programs that need to be addressed that reach outside of our current funding. To address this the city is looking at a cost-neutral trash fee of $10.57 per residence per month or $126.84 each year.”

Trash and recycling fee

Whether citizens are for or against it, Ditslear said his hopeful implementation of the fee for city residents will help offset recent losses.

“Before a vote will take place, we want to provide as much information and give residents adequate time to provide feedback to common council representatives,” Ditslear said.

Expected to be presented in January, the ordinance that could approve the fee hasn’t come before the Noblesville Common Council yet. If passed, the fee wouldn’t be implemented or begin until closer to the middle of the year, Ditslear said.

Ditslear added that the fee would be included in residents’ sewer bill, an all-in-one payment.

PARKS and RECREATION

A bird’s-eye view shows the layout of Federal Hill Commons. (Submitted image)
A bird’s-eye view shows the layout of Federal Hill Commons. (Submitted image)

Federal Hill Commons

With a projected opening of September 2016, the development of Federal Hill Commons is moving along quickly.

“We hit a pretty big landmark in being able to get pavement down on the parking lot. That is going to allow us to continue through the winter from a staging perspective,” said Parks Director Brandon Bennett. “If we don’t have a bad, bad winter, we should stay on schedule. The big thing for us to hit is that August timeframe for us to be able to get seed down.”

However, the west-of-downtown, 6.75-acre park isn’t expected to be completely finished until this time next year.

“So, when we open, a lot of it’s not going to be usable because the event lawn is going to be seeded, but there will be some things,” Bennett said. “I would love to have a grand opening, a full opening, sometime in the winter in December, because we’d like to be able to put (an ice) skating rink in.”

Trails

In 2016, the final phase of the Riverwalk will begin construction, connecting Maple Avenue to other portions of the trail along the White River.

“We have a trail connection project to address gaps throughout the city. This will help make our trail system more complete and easier for residents to get around,” Ditslear said. “The city also is acquiring land along our portion of the Midland Trace Trail, which will connect with Westfield’s portion at Gray Road. It will take a few years to reach from the west side of the city to downtown, but once it is completed residents will be able to use trails to get from the heart of our city to the Monon Trail and down to Indianapolis.”

ROAD PROJECTS

Roundabouts

The roundabout at Carrigan and Hague Roads. (Submitted image)
The roundabout at Carrigan and Hague Roads. (Submitted image)

Carrigan and Hague Roads

After closing the intersection for three weeks, the roundabout at Carrigan and Hague Roads opened at the beginning of November. Final surfacing will be completed in spring 2016.

The planned roundabout at Greenfield Avenue and 10th Street will serve as a new, southern gateway for the city. (Submitted image)
The planned roundabout at Greenfield Avenue and 10th Street will serve as a new, southern gateway for the city. (Submitted image)

Greenfield Avenue and 10th Street

This five-point intersection just south of the heart of downtown will get a much-needed facelift in 2016. Still in the design stages, the city has begun plans to make this intersection a roundabout, to be completed by fall 2016. Bid opening will begin in spring, with the project officially breaking ground with utility relocation and roadway work in June.

“Right now we have three of the five properties secure for the South 10th Street roundabout,” said City Engineer John Beery. “As long as there are no issues with the other two properties that intersection with Greenfield Avenue and Christian Avenue will be constructed in 2016.

City officials also say the revamping of this area will also service as a new, southern gateway into the city from Fishers.

The Presley Boulevard extension will connect the road that runs close to Home Depot from Ind. 32/38 to Pleasant Street, by Best Buy. (Submitted image)
The Presley Boulevard extension will connect the road that runs close to Home Depot from Ind. 32/38 to Pleasant Street, by Best Buy. (Submitted image)

Presley Boulevard extension

“The Presley Blvd. and Ind. 32/28 roundabout will be lead by the city with state funding,” Beery said. “(The) city will fund a portion as well, but much smaller than the state’s amount.

The roundabout will connect the extension to the road that runs close to Home Depot from Ind. 32/38 to Pleasant Street, by Best Buy.

17th Street realignment

Beery said the realignment of 17th street downtown will help shape a new entrance to Ivy Tech on Pleasant Street, along with new sidewalks along the street.

*Beery added that a complete list of all 2016 resurfacing projects is in the process of being compiled.

POLITICS

Noblesville Common Council

On Jan. 1, the City of Noblesville will officially take on its second-class city status. The change will add one at-large seat and one additional district seat to round the council off at nine members.

Clerk and controller

In addition to the two new councilors, becoming a second-class city will also change up the duties of the city’s clerk-treasurer office, splitting the office into a clerk (Evelyn Lees newly elected) and a financial controller, a non-elected, hired position.

NEW BUSINESS

Nearly a dozen new businesses or expansions are already in the works for 2016, including, along the Ind. 37 corridor, Jimmy Johns, Starbucks and Tom Wood Volkswagen; at Exit 210, Helmer Scientific (25,000-square-foot expansion), Holiday Inn & Suites, Pharmakon Pharmaceuticals (50,000-square-foot expansion) and Primanti Bros. Restaurant; on 146th St, Poet’s Walk Assisted Living, Giant Eagle Get-n-Go Fuel and Convenience Store and a proposed “micro hospital”; and downtown, Dealer Auto Outlet.

City officials are careful about what new businesses are announced and when, prior to the filing of construction and development documents to city offices.

City of Noblesville Public Relations Manager Robert Herrington said, “We can say that Exit 210 will be a major point of emphasis for us in 2016. We have a lot of interest in that area and expect to make announcements in the coming year of new development.”

LOOKING BACK AT BUSINESSES THAT CAME IN 2015

Downtown

  • 1 of One Art Gallery
  • Lil Bloomers
  • Miller Consulting
  • NuStart Health
  • Private Capital Management Group
  • RC Metalworks
  • The Rugged Co.
  • Shine Yoga Wellness Studio
  • South of Chicago Pizza
  • Sweet Roo’s

Exit 210

  • AH Collection
  • Ambassador Medical Expansion
  • Aspen Creek Dining
  • Cabela’s
  • Chick-fil-A
  • European Wax Center
  • Heidi Pops Gourmet Popcorn
  • Visionworks Doctors of Optometry
  • Yankee Candle Company
  • Zevacor Molecular

Hazell Dell Parkway / 146th Street

  • Community First Bank
  • Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
  • Prather Family Eye Care
  • Scotty’s Brewhouse
  • Wild Birds Unlimited

Ind. 32/38

  • Hare Chevrolet Auto Group SR 32/38

Ind. 37

  • Deer Creek Brewery
  • The Excel Center
  • Georgia Direct Carpet
  • Goodwill Industries (new location and expansion)
  • Jersey Mikes Subs
  • Krenolies Donuts
  • Moore Restoration
  • Mooyah’s Burgers & Fries
  • Rustic Spa
  • Terry Lee Hyundai

Northwest area

  • Darlington Foods
  • Harbour Town Diner
  • Jumpers Restaurant

West central area

  • Boden’s Bakery
  • H&R Block
  • Marco’s Pizza
  • Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
  • Pathways to Healing
  • Smith House LLC Event Center

Other

  • Five Star Restoration
  • Jump-n-Play
  • Pro-Clad Expansion
  • RZ Automation (new location and expansion)

*List may not include all new businesses, as the City of Noblesville does not require business license to open a new business.


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