The County Line
The very important Noblesville primary election is coming up in three and a half months at which time voters will choose a new city administration. The public should know what their candidates pledge to accomplish on issues facing the city.
General statements of honesty, efficiency, transparency and economy are fine, and should go without saying. But, in addition, voters should be made aware of individual candidate’s positions on specific plans and how they can be accomplished.
It is not only important to hear a candidate say a matter deserves attention, but voters need to know how issues are going to be handled and paid for. For example, we have heard a lot about the need for improvement and development in the downtown area. Current plans for a new project called The Levinson at 9th Street and Maple Avenue are a good start. But, there is room for more, and especially more development that includes off-street parking.
The extremely heavy traffic on Conner Street through the city is going to become more of a headache if nothing is done. A Pleasant Street bypass is planned, but this expensive project needs to get underway. Cooperation with county government on a new river bridge and a major intersection improvement at State Road 37 are keys to making this project go.
The other major highway improvement need is on 37 where financing is also a challenge. The freeway-style improvements are going to be more expensive than originally thought. But, the cost will only increase with time, so innovative thinking is needed to get this problem resolved sooner than later.
Where do the candidates stand on the need for a new police headquarters? Few will doubt the need given the crowded conditions at the public safety building. The site of the former Firestone plant may be available. If so, the project needs to somehow be funded and gotten underway.
Recreational trails and parkland are increasingly needed in cities. Noblesville has plans for a Nickel Plate trail. Work is underway on the Midland Trail, but should it be extended through the city and even to a planned park site east of the city? If so, how can it and the Nickel Plate be financed and done in a reasonable time frame?
There are no doubt other issues that will arise and should be addressed. Noblesville is growing at an incredible rate and the right people in the right places can make all the difference in assuring a greater community beyond just a growing community.
We need look no further than nearby communities to find examples of cities with dynamic and well-planned development while others may appear to be growing like Topsy or not growing at all partially because of a lack of great ideas combined with a plan to execute those ideas.