What do we know? Not much after the joint announcements by Noblesville and Fishers Mayor’s to convert the Nickel Plate rail line into trails between the two cities. The announcement was made without any public discussion about two weeks ago at the press conference in Fishers.
Mary Sue Rowland
- It is time to hear from the communities.
A PUBLIC MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 21, Fishers City Hall at 1 municipal Dr. Fishers
- Both Fishers and Noblesville meetings start at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Noblesville PUBLIC MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 23 Noblesville City Hall at 16 S. 10th
2nd floor conference room starting at 6:00 pm
Option one: Do not renew the contract as operator of the historic rail line held by Indiana Transportation Museum and look for another company to provide service. The problem is $5 million in track repairs has not been completed and inspections say the rail is not safe.
Option two: Pull the rails between Fishers and Noblesville for a trail. This is approximately 9 miles at a million dollar per mile.
Option three: Leave the rails, find an operator or the Fishers and Noblesville communities help with the cost of rail repairs and continue with the Indiana Transportation Museum who has served the communities for decades and built the trail next to the track.
- THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS – Rail WITH Trails
Rail WITH Trails combines both giving way to trails and the economic opportunities, recreation and keeping up with the Monon in Carmel. The rails remain in place including train, tourism opportunity and keeping the corridor in place. It is possible to co-exist and there are many profession design companies who specialize in such approaches. One company called ALTAplanning.com wrote the book on “Rails WITH Trails Lessons Learned” and have created such corridors in hundreds of cities. They also “Look beyond the Curbs” construction and design streets that work for everyone. That is a great concept. It is time for everyone to win. Community planning and design does not have to be giving something up to get something.
Come to the meeting of your choice and let the elected officials know that you want the “best practices” THAT shows creativity and SAVES the rail and builds a trail. It is a good place to start and since the idea of a win-win has not been considered, this project could be a win-win for both towns and the citizens.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, send comments to NPT@noblesville.in.us