Noblesville city officials release 2024 Year in Review

Submitted by City of Noblesville

With the new year here, the City of Noblesville reflects on major milestones and events.

“We’ve had an exciting and busy year at the City of Noblesville and it’s important to reflect back on the accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities in 2024,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said. “I’m honored and humbled each day to serve as Mayor of my hometown, including serving alongside over 500 city employees each day who show up to serve our community and leave it better than they found it. As a community, we have a lot to look forward to in 2025, and I believe Noblesville’s best days are ahead.”

Mayor Chris Jensen

• Continues to prioritize mental health in the community and hosted Mental Health Mondays with licensed therapist Kristen Boice on Facebook Live.
• Mayor Jensen’s Friday Five videos continued in 2024 with his weekly post to the community to provide proactive updates on road projects and events taking place in the community.
• Testified before the Indiana State Senate in support of the Community Cares Initiative Grant Pilot Program, modeled after Noblesville’s NobleACT program, will help other local governments invest in Mobile Crisis Teams to meet their unique public safety challenges more efficiently. The statehouse champions of this legislation were Senator Scott Baldwin and Representative Brad Barrett. In August, FSSA Indiana announced funding for this program.
• Nominated to serve as Advisory Board Member for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
• Serves as the Vice President of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority.
• Asked to serve on Governor-Elect Braun’s transition team to provide guidance on enhanced working relationships between state agencies and local governments.
• Chaired the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) Legislative Committee for the fourth straight year and led efforts to advocate for cities and towns’ operational and financial interests at the Statehouse.

Economic Development

• Private Investment: $671 million
• New Commercial Space: 855,069 square feet
• New Jobs Created: 227
• New Residential Units: 1,403
• Innovation Mile and Noblesville Event Center: Innovation Mile is a more than 600 acre public/private partnership. It is located along Interstate 69 and is designed with a live, work, play, engage, and learn mindset. The Noblesville Event Center, set to open in summer of 2025, will be the future home of the Indiana Pacers G-League team and serves as the anchor of Innovation Mile. The district will feature event and entertainment spaces, retail outlets, recreational areas, residential spaces, and commercial opportunities. Surrounded by amenities such as Hamilton Town Center, Ruoff Music Center, healthcare facilities, and the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute, the district is envisioned to bring forth future job opportunities. The city received $4 million through the READI 2.0 grant for a Marquee Pedestrian Boulevard within Innovation Mile, plus grant funding through Hamilton County Tourism’s Business of Entertainment and Sports Tourism program.

• Morse Village: The Noblesville Common Council voted 6-3 to approve the $250 million mixed-use development project, Morse Village. The LOR Corporation development covers 175 acres, featuring 30,000 square feet of commercial space and local restaurants near 206th Street and Hague Road, including a new roundabout at that intersection. Morse Village build-out is expected to be phased over seven to 10 years, with construction beginning in 2025. This development includes over 30 acres of dedicated greenspace, including six miles of trails and sidewalks planned. Click here to learn more.
• The Granary: In August, the Noblesville Common Council approved a $67 million mixed-use development project, The Granary, along the new Pleasant Street Corridor. This project includes a $13.4 million investment from the city, aimed at infrastructure and a trailhead for the Midland Trace Trail, and has been a priority of Mayor Jensen’s. It is part of broader efforts to enhance downtown Noblesville and ensure that the well-being of our residents is closely tied to economic and workforce growth. Click here to learn more.

Downtown Noblesville

• Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA): The establishment of a DORA district in Noblesville’s historic downtown, approved by the Common Council in April and by the Indiana ATC in July, is already proving to be a boost to the downtown economy. The city’s collaboration with local stakeholders, including the Noblesville Police Department, has ensured that the district is enjoyed safely and responsibly by the community, visitors, and business owners. Within the DORA, you can sip, shop, and stroll through downtown Noblesville.
• Hard Hat Resiliency Grants: The city launched the “Hard Hat Resiliency Grant” program over the summer to support downtown businesses impacted by INDOT’s Reconstructing SR32 project along Conner Street. This project also made upgrades to State Road 37 at 186^th Street and 191^st Street.

Parks & Recreation

• New Staff: The Noblesville Parks and Recreation Department hired a new Director, Savannah Solgere Wines, along with a new Deputy Director Charlie Elliott.

• Greenspace Expansion: Design work for the Finch Creek Park Phase 2 activation project is underway. The project will include outdoor multi-purpose sports fields along with greenspace activation through additional trail infrastructure.
• New Programming: Frights at Forest, Parks-Palooza, Sit-n-Stitch, Noblesville’s North Pole, Jingle Bell Breakfast, and Candy Cane Crawl.
• Frights at Forest: The department hosted a fall event with Frights at Forest, drawing hundreds of people to Forest Park for a night that included a Trick-or-Treat Trail, hayrides, inflatables, live entertainment, a costume contest, and food trucks.

In 2025, the Parks Department is starting the process for updating the splash pad and playground at Dillon Park along with completing the department’s Masterplan.

By the Numbers

• Spring Break Camp served 267 children over the span of 10 days
• Summer Camp served 830 participants over seven weeks
• Tots at Play served 40 toddlers and their parents
• Over 30,000 people attend the Easter Egg Hunt, summer concerts at Federal Hill Commons and Dillon Park and Movies in the Park.
• Maintained and improved more than 100 miles of trails throughout the community

Engineering

• Reimagine Pleasant Street Phase 1 Completion: The Pleasant Street Corridor is a key component of the Reimagine Pleasant Street Project. This is a long-term initiative aimed at improving east-west connectivity and accessibility for the City of Noblesville. The project has been under study and discussion for 40 years. With Phase 1 complete, it is already greatly improving how residents and visitors navigate through and experience our city. The road design is intended to benefit Noblesville residents, local businesses, and stakeholders by enhancing mobility and public safety, while preserving the area’s urban character and historic features. This collaborative effort involves the City of Noblesville and Hamilton County, ensuring a shared vision for progress. An exciting aspect of the project is that it will connect three major trails – Nickel Plate, Midland Trace, and Riverwalk – providing a seamless connection between Noblesville, Hamilton County, and the greater Indianapolis area. A community celebration in September, Party on Pleasant, marked the completion of Reimagine Pleasant Street Phase 1 with thousands in attendance to celebrate the project milestone. The completed project is expected to reduce traffic by 20 percent on State Road 32 through downtown Noblesville by allowing drivers to get in and around the city using the new Pleasant Street route. All three phases will be completed by 2026. Learn more at ReimaginePleasantSt.com.

• Little Chicago Pedestrian Bridge: The vehicular bridge opened to traffic on Dec. 20. This was a joint project with Hamilton County to rehabilitate the bridge and add a pedestrian trail. A new 10-foot pedestrian path along Little Chicago Road runs from Elderberry Drive to Carrigan Road. The city received a $4.5 million federal grant for this project. While the bridge is open, more work will need to be done this spring before the pedestrian path is complete and available for use.
• 141^st & Promise Road Roundabout Opening: This project included constructing a new roundabout at 141^st Street & Promise Road. The city was awarded $1.86 million in federal funds from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization for the construction of the roundabout. The roundabout opened at the end of August 2024.
• SR 38 & Oakmont/Whitcomb Roundabout Opening: This project included constructing a new roundabout along SR 38 at the entrances of Whitcomb Ridge and Oakmont. It was a 50/50 partnership with INDOT for the construction of the roundabout and opened at the end of July 2024.
• Initiating SR37 Corridor Design in Noblesville (INDOT Partnership): The City of Noblesville and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) initiated a partnership to begin preliminary design for upgrades to the SR 37 corridor from Greenfield Avenue to SR 32 in Noblesville. An initial public information meeting was held at Noblesville High School on Dec. 11. For more information, please visit sr37improvement.com. More public information meetings will be hosted in the future.

2024 Grant Funding Received

• Noblesville was awarded $3.48 million in safety projects through Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant Funds. This award includes constructing a new roundabout at Olio Road and 156^th Street along with sign-modernization and ADA sidewalk improvements throughout the city.
• Noblesville was awarded $3.67 million in projects through the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Grant Recommendations. This recommended award includes constructing a new roundabout at 141^st Street and Howe Road and a new roundabout at Little Chicago Road and Carrigan Road.

Public Safety

Noblesville Police Department

• Noblesville Named 12^th-Safest Suburb: According to SmartAsset, a personal finance website, Noblesville was named the 12^th-safest suburb in the United States.
• New Police Station: Noblesville Police Department currently shares a building with the fire administration and Station 71. They have been operating in the same building since 1992, when the population was approximately 20,000. However, Noblesville’s population has reached 75,000, and the department has more than 100 dedicated officers. The construction of a new police headquarters is a top priority in the city’s 10-year Capital Improvement Plan and has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Following due diligence and analysis of possible sites, the former Firestone site along Division Street was selected as the best option for the new station and will address the growing needs of the Noblesville Police Department by providing sufficient space for staff and equipment. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025. Download renderings at this link.
• NobleACT Program: This is a proactive and sustainable mental health collaboration between the police and fire departments and area service providers, added its first social worker in 2024, Myechia Hudson, MSW. She has worked with a variety of groups from challenged youths, homeless, and individuals with psychiatric illnesses. She came to NPD with experience working in a hospital setting, providing resources and referrals to a plethora of different individuals. Her knowledge of working with populations similar to those served by NobleACT has increased her reach and impact in the community. In 2024, NobleACT served 850 individuals and opened 1,070 cases, with a closure rate of 70 percent. Click here to learn more.
• Hamilton County Public Safety Training Facility: This facility is set to break ground in 2025. The Hamilton County Council, in collaboration with every public safety agency in the county, approved a resolution to move forward with a public safety training facility to be built at River Road and 160th Street in Noblesville. The facility will provide police, fire, and emergency management professionals with a state-of-the-art training center.

Noblesville Fire Department

• Hosted 47^th annual Food & Toy Drive: The NFD accepted donations from the community to help approximately 100 families in Noblesville. In addition to community donations, NFD partnered with Kroger for food needs and Meijer for toys. The Noblesville Mayor’s Youth Council also partnered with the fire department to collect food at The Michael Treinen Foundation Turkey Trot to donate to the Food & Toy Drive.
• NFD placed a fifth ambulance into service and a new Ladder Truck at Station 72.

Utilities

• The Utilities Department worked with Noblesville Schools to incorporate student artwork on the wastewater tanks at the treatment facility, which runs along the newly opened Pleasant Street corridor. The artwork is part of a collaboration to incorporate student artwork into our community and beautify the new Pleasant Street corridor.
• The Department also advanced significant improvements to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, including treatment plant enhancements and installation of a solar array to help power and Lift Station 19.

Human Resources

• The City of Noblesville currently employs 541 people.
• In 2024, nine employees will retire with a combined years of service of 228 years.
• In coordination with the Mayor’s Office, implemented a workplace culture and professional development program, “NOBLE,” to promote recognition of best practices in serving constituents and supporting colleagues.

Planning Department

• Issued permits to 890 residential units, which includes townhome and single-, two-, and multi-family homes.
• Received more than 1,200 contributions from residents on the East and West Gateway Master Plans. The master plan will establish a vision for enhancement of the city’s gateways and steps needed to bring the vision to reality over the next 15 to 20 years.

Street Department

• The City of Noblesville’s Urban Forester worked alongside the Noblesville Tree Board and SMC Corporation for the inaugural Tree Planting Grant Program. The city marks 34 consecutive years of being named a Tree City USA recipient by the Arbor Day Foundation. Last year, SMC Corporation donated $2,000 to the tree planting grant program, which was matched by the City of Noblesville through Mayor Jensen and the Common Council. The inaugural grant recipients in 2024 included Same As U, Deer Creek Elementary School, Mill Grove, Deer Path, Pebble Brook Villas, and Verdure Sciences. The grant program is currently accepting applications for 2025.
• Landscaping installation in the center medians and the roundabout at SR 32/SR 38.
• Installed the bases and assisted with the installation of the butterfly sculpture in the roundabout at 191st Street and Little Chicago Road.
• Planted Sea Oats in the roundabout at Carrigan Road and Hague Road.
• Maintained and improved the more than 300 lane miles within the city.
• In 2025, the Street Department will be overseeing the installation of new school zone flashers at public schools in Noblesville. In addition, the department will install new pedestrian crossing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the roundabouts along Hazel Dell Road, Little Chicago and Union Chapel Road.

Advisory Council on Disabilities and Mayor’s Youth Council

• The Advisory Council on Disabilities hosted two resource fairs for the community.
• Mayor’s Youth Council hosted a Culture Fair with SERVE Noblesville, raised money for The Cooper House & Ben’s Ranch, and volunteered at the Michael Treinen Foundation’s Turkey Trot and other community events.