If county residents think the Carmel Clay area produces some spectacular public projects, wait until they see what Clay Township plans over the next two years.
Clay is now all within Carmel city limits. The township still controls major sources of funding which will be dedicated to a vast array of community enhancements costing $59.8 million. And, it’s without an increase in the property tax rate.
Here’s the deal:
In coordination with the Carmel Clay Parks Department, the Carmel Fire Department, the County Parks Department and the Carmel Dads’ Club, the township will pay for a new fieldhouse for the Dads’ Club, build a fire department administration and museum building, a children’s pavilion at Coxhall Park, pay for an upgrading of nine parks, and build four roundabouts.
The plans were unveiled to the Carmel City Council and general public on Monday night. Township officials explained that the entire package of projects will be financed with a debt retirement tax rate currently being levied to pay for Carmel Clay’s Central Park. Park bonds are soon to mature, and continuing the same rate will enable the township to finance the new projects.
Called the Clay Township Impact Program, the 19 separate projects are termed “monumental” by Township Board President Matt Snyder who laid out the program to the city council.
“These projects will provide benefits for all township residents, schools and businesses,” Snyder added.
The fieldhouse, to be built at the Mark Badger Memorial Park, will provide for year-round sports activities, a full-size synthetic field, spectator areas, locker rooms, concession areas and office space. Construction will begin this fall.
Also to get underway this fall is the fire administration building with museum and meeting space to be built at 210 Veterans Way. Other projects including improvements at four fire sub-stations and a new ladder truck, extension of the Monon Greenway, expansion of the Japanese/Chinese Garden near City Hall, improvements on 111th Street and development of a fiber optic communication ring among emergency response agencies, will be underway next year and in 2021. The five projects involving fire stations require interlocal agreement between city and township.
A vote on the agreement was passed unanimously.
In closing, Board President Snyder said the township administration consisting of Trustee Doug Callahan, Clerk Debbie Spelbring and fellow board members Mary Eckard and Paul Hensel “are pleased to present this program for the community that we all share together.”