Jensen
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen delivered his annual “State of the City” address to a sold-out crowd at the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday afternoon at Embassy Suites’ Conference Center. Jensen focused on key areas surrounding infrastructure, downtown investment and preservation, public health and safety, and economic development. Some key highlights include:
- The City of Noblesville has announced more than $145 million of downtown investment in the past year. The city is leveraging its partnerships with the Noblesville Preservation Alliance, Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce to work together to maintain the authentic downtown feel while moving impactful projects forward.
- The Milhaus Development is a $118 million mixed-use development at the northwest corner of 146th Street and River Road. The project includes 102 townhome units, 28,800 square feet of commercial/retail space, 312 market rate apartments, and 132 age-restricted market rate apartments.
“This is a gateway to our community along 146th Street and we’re very excited about the redevelopment on that key corridor,” Jensen said.
- Patch Development is transforming 75 acres of prime real estate along State Road 37 into a business park to include 11 parcels ranging from two-acre to 22-acre sites. Washington Business Park will have over 800,000 square feet of innovative/flex space. Final development costs are expected to be approximately $70 million, and the project is projected to attract more than 500 new jobs to the city.
- The city is in the planning stage of “Innovation Mile,” a master-planned business district which will be along the 141st Street corridor from Olio Road to Prairie Baptist Road. Innovation Mile will include over 200 acres of high-end, campus-like commercial space where companies can collaborate with other like-minded businesses to catapult Noblesville’s economy into the future.
“We realize that advanced technology companies are looking to relocate here – companies that focus on growth and invention. We want to make sure we are fostering that innovative spirit,” said Jensen. “The vision for the district is to become a work, play, engage and learn community designed to drive growth from commercial, flex, office, light industrial uses within the city’s targeted industries.”
- Cityscape Residential is redeveloping the former Marsh site on River Road, building a new $52 million facility. The Nexus project includes 287 residential units and 36,000 square feet of commercial space. It is expected to be completed next winter.
- The Levinson will be open in less than two weeks. The mixed-use project in partnership with Rebar Development includes 85 apartment units, a four-level parking garage with 299 spaces and 7,100 square feet of commercial space.
Jensen also discussed the city’s infrastructure and future road improvements – most notably the necessity to move forward on the expansion of Pleasant Street from State Road 37 to Hague Road.
“The expansion of Pleasant Street is my No. 1 infrastructure priority. We will break ground on the $125 million investment by the end of 2022,” he said.
Noblesville recently opened the Corporate Campus Infrastructure Improvements in August – three months ahead of schedule. The project widened Olio Road from 141st Street to 146th Street, and widened 146th Street from Bergen Boulevard to Olio Road. A new roundabout at 146th Street and Olio Road was constructed. The $8.5 million investment improves traffic capacity, flow and safety. It also extends sanitary sewer, improved drainage to reduce flooding, and expanded premium developable land.
“This project improves travel and safety in a growing area of our city,” said Jensen. “It also improves access to one of the greatest outdoor music venues in America, so concert fans can get in and out of Ruoff Music Center easier.”
The City of Noblesville and the Indiana Department of Transportation have an infrastructure partnership for the construction of five new roundabout intersections to improve traffic flow throughout the community by enhancing east-west connectivity. Utility relocation work began this year along State Road 32 and the roundabout with State Road 38 will be in construction next year. The roundabout at SR 32 and River Road will be built in 2023.
Other highlights of Jensen’s State of the City speech include:
- Police De-Escalation Simulator Training Room – The VirTra simulator provides NPD active threat training such as ambushes, domestic violence, emotionally disturbed people, high-risk vehicle stops, hostage situations.
“Our officers are faced with crisis situations when calls come in,” Jensen said. “This allows our police department to train in real-time with specifically created scenarios or previous incidents we have encountered. The scenarios are customizable to provide officers real-life outcomes based on the actions and tactics they use.”
- NobleAct – The paramedicine program has expanded and the Noblesville Fire Department has added Community Resource Paramedics to NobleAct to address other medical needs such as fall assessment and prevention, vaccinating homebound Hoosiers, and telehealth visits.
- Finch Creek Park – The city’s sixth park opened in fall 2020. Amenities include shelters, playgrounds, splash pad, trails, open space, basketball and pickleball. This is the first phase of development of the park.
- Bike Share Returns – The City of Noblesville has partnered with Tandem Mobility to relaunch its bike-share program that provides all Noblesville residents and visitors with a convenient, affordable and healthy way to get around town. Ten cruiser bikes will be available between the city’s two stations at Forest Park and the Midland Trace Trailhead for members to use for on-demand, local trips.
- Santa Tour – Due to public health concerns, the city replaced its annual Christmas Parade last year with the “Home for the Holidays Tour” featuring Santa Claus. Instead of one parade right after Thanksgiving, the city created seven routes over two weekends bringing Santa to neighborhoods throughout the city. Since it was a success, Jensen announced the Holidays’ Santa Tour will return this winter.