Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt delivered a speech during a celebration and announcement event held Oct. 4 at Bakers Corner, revealing a groundbreaking project poised to transform the northern part of Hamilton County.
Heirbrandt expressed his enthusiasm for what he believes will be a monumental development for the region.
The project involves the long-awaited expansion of water and sewer infrastructure to the Bakers Corner area, an initiative that has been the subject of discussion for many years due to the rapid growth in Hamilton County.
Heirbrandt
“This is a monumental accomplishment for us to be breaking ground on this project,” Commissioner Heirbrandt said. “Over the past two years of development, this has involved many people and organizations that have collaboratively worked together for a common purpose.”
The project’s district boundaries for water and sewer will stretch from 216th Street all the way north to 296th Street, extending two miles west of U.S. 31 to Spring Mill and Six Points roads and three miles east of U.S. 31 to Devaney and Cammack roads, encompassing a vast 42 square miles of territory.
To provide perspective on the project’s scale, Commissioner Heirbrandt noted that it covers 42 square miles, with Carmel at 49 square miles, Noblesville at 36 square miles, and Westfield at 32 square miles.
The project comprises two phases. Phase One, with a cost of $45 million, will extend from 226th Street to 241st Street, reaching east to new Englewood Road and west to Spring Mill Road. Funding for Phase I includes $25 million from County ARPA proceeds, $10 million from the State ARPA Investment through the Indiana Finance Authority, and $10 million County Bonded through the newly created Hamilton County Regional Utility District.
Phase Two, will extend from 241st Street to 276th Street and will serve the new Indiana National Guard Facility set to be constructed next year. The entire Phase II project will be funded by the State ARPA Investment fund.
The vision behind this transformative project is to promote high-quality development that maximizes the potential of the 31 Corridor. It aims to bring high-earning jobs and aesthetically pleasing development. Commercial and mixed-use development is anticipated from U.S. 31 to Dunbar Road, with residential development to the west of Dunbar Road.
The project’s origins trace back to May 2021 when American Rescue Act dollars from the federal government were allocated, providing the initial impetus. These funds initially had many restrictions, including their use for clean water, septic systems, broadband, and COVID-related reimbursement. A meeting held in June 2021 between Commissioner Heirbrandt, attorneys, and engineering/development experts marked the project’s inception.
“This project also addresses several identified failing septic systems in the designated area and will be a foundation for controlled development along the corridor,” Heirbrandt emphasized.
Commissioner Heirbrandt then introduced Jim McGoff from the Indiana Finance Authority, who played an instrumental role in guiding the project’s progress.
In an unexpected turn of events, Commissioner Heirbrandt recounted a story from the last day of the legislative session this year at the Statehouse. He revealed that the Phase II project, which involved an expansion of water and sewer infrastructure from 241st Street to 276th Street, had been initially removed from the budget. However, through determined efforts and with the support of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, the funding was reinstated, securing the project’s future.
This groundbreaking project promises to revitalize and invigorate the northern part of Hamilton County, ushering in a new era of development and growth for the region.