Dear Editor:
Thank you for the recent article in regards to the Bolden’s Dry Cleaning property being purchased by the City of Noblesville. Both sides were able to voice their opinion and the public was able to understand the situation better. Although I must say, the article’s conclusion leaves me a bit perplexed.
The author states that the City and County “failed to be good neighbors.” I don’t understand how the city had any choice but to proceed in the manner in which they did.
In my line of work, I help companies reach their goals, mainly through digital marketing. My work is most successful when all the departments of my client’s business are working towards the same vision. Each employee and partner doesn’t have to agree on which tactics are best, just that they are all bought in to achieving the same vision the executives have laid out.
Equating that widely held business truth to this situation, the county isn’t being a “good neighbor” or partner with the city. This administration in Noblesville has been very open about their goals for the city. Their future vision for the city, and downtown specifically, is a large part of why our family chose to move from our long-time home in another part of the city and relocate to Old Town. If I was so clearly informed of the city’s vision, surely the county commissioners were as well. If the commissioners truly had their county seat’s best interests at heart, they wouldn’t have approached things the way they have.
The county was trying to look out for itself without any regard for the city and their vision. As one of the larger employers based in downtown, the county should want to see a vibrant downtown. Adding more county office space does the complete opposite. It would actually devalue their own property were they to have purchased Bolden’s and put in more office space. If a developer turns that area into multi-use, or the current owners keep attracting the right mix of tenants, the county’s employees will have a booming location to work near. They also stand a better chance of recruiting the next generation of staff that wants to live and work somewhere that is thriving.
Instead, the county wanted to use the space in a way that’s a detriment to the city residents on many fronts. In case the county commissioners forgot, they are around to serve the citizens of Noblesville as much as the rest of the county. They also seemingly forgot they own plenty of land to expand upon. Coincidentally that land is right where their current offices are and connected to the river as well.
None of this even begins to cover the fact that the building owner clearly thought the city was the better party to sell their property to. For as much as Hamilton County loves to be a place that talks about business, capitalism, and the like, this is a pretty interesting instance to complain so publicly. It’s merely a business transaction between two parties, yet the county would make you think the city ran so afoul of what is right and decent that they won’t even speak to them?
In an age when government intervention is seemingly at an all-time high, I applaud the city for handling this as a business transaction. Even as a fan of less government intervention, if the city were to have previously set rules and restrictions for future development in downtown, I would’ve welcomed that. Sometimes when there are a ton of competing interests, you need to ensure your vision can be carried out.
In politics and business, it’s not always easy to see the plan through. However, in my experience that’s when an organization typically finds the most success. As a new resident of downtown, and 22-year resident of the city, I’m thankful this administration is sticking to their stated vision. It’s why we moved where we moved when we did. And it’s just beginning, especially if the city is allowed to continue carrying out their vision.
Chris Theisen
Noblesville
Our government should not e in the real estate business!