Downtown Protections, New Housing on the East Side, a Streetscape Concept, and More
It’s good to see you!
This month’s update comes to you live from French Lick. I just got off the stage with Chris Jensen and Justin Moffet delivering a presentation to other leaders in cities and towns throughout Indiana about balancing progress and preservation in economic development. More on that below, but being here reminds me of the infamous Mitch Daniels quote:
"I bring greetings from my beloved Indiana, a land of surprises where, as we say, South Bend is in the north, North Vernon's in the south, and French Lick is not what you hoped it was" -Mitch Daniels
Now back to business — a few things off the top:
We’re in the midst of budget season. Council's main statutory responsibility is to oversee the pursestrings for the City. Over the past few weeks, we've been diving into the proposed budget for next year. In September, I'll share an overview of that process and what that means for you as a taxpayer.
Yes, Costco is headed to Noblesville. Here’s what you need to know via the IndyStar.
Make sure to make the Front Porch Music Festival a part of your weekend! For more info, click here.
Without further ado, here’s the latest happening in the 9th largest1 city in the State of Indiana:
1. More from French Lick!
The balance between progress and preservation has been key in economic development, especially downtown Noblesville. Our city’s leadership took the message on the road this week, presenting at the AIM Ideas Summit on the ways that we’ve tried to strike that balance and how other communities can (and should!) do the same.
2. Protecting Old Town: Demolition Ordinance in Effect
A little over a year ago, the Council passed an ordinance putting a process into effect that makes development downtown Noblesville a bit more transparent. If you’d like to reach more about the protection ordinance and how the measure works and how we got it passed, click here.
This week was the first time that ordinance was put to the test.
The owner of the old Boys & Girls Club on Conner Street has applied to demolish the property at 1540 Conner to expand his the parking lot.
The first hearing for the request was held on Monday before the Noblesville‘s Plan Commission. The commission, which is made up of appointed citizens in the community, did not have enough members present to vote either way, so the conversation has been continued to the next plan commission meeting in September. I encourage you to show up!
I’ve also included a picture of the site plan below. The Old Boys and Girls Club is on the left, the current parking lot is in the middle and the proposed parking lot is to the right (lot 6). The staff report the property in question is also available here if you’d like to learn more.
3. New Housing (and Roads) Coming to the East side of Noblesville.
Last week, the City Council approved an economic development agreement with PulteGroup of Indiana and TWG Development to develop approximately 603 acres in Noblesville.
Location: The project, which is bound by 156th Street, 166th Street, Boden Road and Olio Road.
The development plan consists of:
295 market-rate multi-family apartments (rental)
10,000 square feet of commercial/retail space with a minimum of 5,000 square feet within the multi-family project
690 age-restricted single family Del Webb units (for sale)
535 traditional single family and 110 specialty housing dwelling units (for sale)
A 14,000-square-foot amenity center that includes an indoor pool, along with sport courts, pocket parks, internal trail system, yoga areas, chain of lakes water feature and other passive areas
I voted in favor of this development. Here’s why:
In my term on council, there have been project proposals I have supported and others I haven’t. I supported this project because it “master plans” a full development, incorporates infrastructure needs in the area like drainage, (and most importantly to me) expands the roads around the development to accommodate an increase in traffic which current Noblesville residents benefit from. As we grow, we have to tackle infrastructure issues before or while residents are coming. This project is stronger because of that.
The development is estimated to have a market value of over $700 million when completed. As part of the agreement, the city is committing up to $10.8 million in net proceeds to offset initial project infrastructure costs.
As part of the Economic Development Agreement, PulteGroup has committed to improving the public infrastructure around the project including the resurfacing and widening of Boden Road, 156th Street, 166th Street and Olio Road.
PulteGroup also will pay the city’s $400,000 portion of the Federal Highway Matching Grant to construct a roundabout at 166th Street and Boden Road, meaning this roundabout is fully paid for.
Perimeter pedestrian paths will be constructed as part of the project, adding to public trail systems on the east side of Noblesville, among other things.
4. Take a Trip to Lancaster, CA
As Noblesville grows, development will play a key role in building the vision the City sets for its future. Each month, I try to share some of the examples of new development I've seen that I believe we should look to as inspiration down the road.
Lancaster, CA transformed its downtown in just 8 months by redesigning it's main street from a mini-highway to a tree-lined boulevard. The project cost landed at $11.5M and has generated $273M in economic output since 2010, creating 800 jobs, and nearly doubling tax revenue.
5. Nominate a Noblesville Business!
The Noblesville Chamber and the Advancing Noblesville Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the City of Noblesville, is seeking individuals, businesses, and community organizations to recognize for the Advancing Noblesville Award on November 16th!
Business of the Year: More than 25 employees, superior customer satisfaction, positive economic impact, exhibits community involvement
Small Business of the Year: Less than 25 employees, superior customer satisfaction, positive economic impact, exhibits community involvement
Rising Star of the Year: In business less than 5 years, made outstanding contributions to the local community, positive economic impact, superior customer service, has made strong efforts to support growth & development in the city (number of employees is not a factor)
Business of the Year (MWBE) Minority or Women Led Business Enterprise: superior customer satisfaction, positive economic impact, exhibits community involvement, number of employees is not a factor
Best Construction, Renovation, or Preservation: construction to have been substantially completed in 2022 or 2023, creates a positive effect on the business environment, activity may include but is not limited to a new structure, renovation of current structure, new store front/façade, or landscape redesign. Supporting images must be submitted by separate email to info@noblesvillechamber.com
Businessperson of the Year: individual is part of a business that provides superior customer satisfaction, provides leadership for the business and community, is responsible for growth of the organization
Community & Public Service Organization: demonstrates excellence in one of the following areas: 1) public safety, 2) infrastructure improvement, 3) community and economic development, 4) education, workforce, and talent development, 5) downtown enhancements and preservation 6) health & wellbeing
Community & Public Service Individual: demonstrates excellence in one of the following areas: 1) public safety, 2) infrastructure improvement, 3) community and economic development, 4) education, workforce, and talent development, 5) downtown enhancements and preservation 6) health & wellbeing
Before you go, a few trending stories:
Here are a few stories you may have missed on Noblesville over the past month:
Inside Indiana Business: Noblesville eyes new site near I-69 for arena and conference center
The Current: Cinnaholic opens new location in Noblesville
WTHR: Tom Wood Volkswagen in Noblesville gives away around 500 backpacks
The Current: You can triple your donation to Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank by shopping at Noblesville Meijer
Noblesville is growing — and quickly. In 2021, the IndyStar shared an article that listed Noblesville as the 10th largest city in Indiana. Since then, we’ve eclipsed Lafayette as the 9th largest. We have a bit to go until we get close to Hammond at 77k.