A plan to sell Seminary Park for homesites was dropped by city officials almost as soon as it was proposed earlier this week. Feedback from city councilors, park board members and others was not favorable to the idea.
There are many who want to see this green space near downtown kept as it is. Seminary Park was the site of Noblesville’s first public school. For many years Second Ward School occupied the city block at 10th and Hannibal.
So, what happens next assuming there is a demand for new housing in the central city? Here’s an idea: Various agencies and branches of local government should be able to pool their ideas for housing, trails and economic development.
The Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND) has its eye on the site of the former Farm Bureau Co-op grain operation at 8th and Mulberry Streets. But, no luck so far. Financing has been the big problem.
At the same time city and some county officials want to convert the Nickel Plate Railroad into a walking trail similar to the popular Monon Trail. Other folks want to keep the railroad.
Does it all seem like an insurmountable problem or an opportunity?
Let’s look at what Carmel has done in a somewhat similar situation. South 8th Street is not generally considered the most attractive street in town. Similarly, Carmel’s Second Avenue along the Monon was not a particularly exciting place 15 years ago.
Now the street is developing into an upscale part of old town. There are new homes, apartments, restaurants and the renovated Monon depot along five blocks of the street bordering the trail. The difference from 8th Street is that Carmel lost the railroad and uses the right-of-way for the trail.
In Noblesville it would seem that a trail could be built alongside the railroad, and with cooperation between the city and HAND, the co-op site could be developed for housing which would be popular with those
who want access to a trail.
It would take some vision, some cooperation and probably a public/private partnership. But, it could create a situation where everyone involved gets what they want: housing, a trail, the railroad, keeping Seminary Park and potential economic development where it is needed.
There is opportunity there for those bold enough to seize it.