Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen delivered his annual “State of the City” address to a sold-out crowd at the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday afternoon at Embassy Suites’ Conference Center.
After being introduced by Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Jensen focused on his administration’s priorities surrounding infrastructure, downtown investment and preservation, public health and safety and economic development. Key highlights of his speech include:
- Noblesville has reached $1 billion in private committed capital investment in the city since the start of 2020.
- Innovation Mile is a master-planned business district along the 141st Street corridor from Olio Road to Prairie Baptist Road. Innovation Mile will include over 200 acres of high-end, campus-like commercial space where companies can collaborate with other like-minded businesses to catapult Noblesville’s economy into the future.
“We realize that advanced technology companies are looking to relocate here – companies that focus on growth and creativity. We want to make sure we are fostering that innovative spirit,” said Jensen. “The vision for the district is to become a work, play, engage and learn community designed to drive growth from commercial, flex, office, and light industrial uses within the city’s targeted industries.”
During his speech, Jensen highlighted the first two companies who have made decisions to invest within Innovation Mile – Innovation One, LLC and Indiana Joint Replacement Institute. Innovation One, a medical-tech group comprised of Certus Medical and Radiological Care Services, recently announced plans to build their new headquarters in Noblesville’s Innovation Mile to expand its operations in the Midwest. Innovation One will build 90,000 square feet of new medical equipment manufacturing and flex space with a total capital investment of $12.6 million.
Jensen announced Wednesday that Indiana Joint Replacement Institute will construct an approximately 35,000 square-foot ambulatory surgery center and medical office building dedicated to hip and knee joint replacements. The facility will be two-story and include four operating rooms with the ability to expand if needed, 16 pre/post-operative bays, X-ray, physical therapy, and 20 to 24 exam rooms. In addition, the building will have dedicated research and education space to continue the ongoing research Dr. Meneghini and his team have conducted for the past 15 years. This medical complex within Noblesville will be the epicenter of the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute within the State of Indiana and across the nation.
* * *
- Hyde Park is a 274-acre master plan development to encourage investment and foster economic development within walking and biking distance of Hamilton Town Center. The project includes neighborhoods from JC Hart, Edward Rose, Birkla and Empire, along with new greenspace and trail connectivity.
“This project provides an infusion of residential options near Exit 210 and several Noblesville attractions,” Jensen said. “The plan also increases the real estate assessed value from $527,000 to an estimated $142 million once completed.”
* * *
- Jensen also spoke about two redevelopment projects aimed at enhancing key gateways into the city. RiverWest is a $118 million mixed-use development at the northwest corner of 146th Street and River Road. The project includes 102 townhome units, 28,800 square feet of commercial/retail space, 312 market rate apartment units, and 132 age-restricted market rate apartment units.
On the western side of Noblesville, Midland Pointe is a 34-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of State Road 32 and Hazel Dell Parkway. Midland Pointe will catalyze development along two major roadways, brings immediate density and energy, connecting the Midland Trace Trail to an eclectic mix of commercial, residential and green space.
* * *
- SMC continues to make investments in automation technology to increase production. Plans are underway to add roughly $2 million in equipment over the next two years, adding 34 new jobs by 2025, ultimately adding 60 new positions by 2030.
- Bier Brewery will build its third and largest location, a 6,000 square-foot taproom, at 1618 S. 10th St. Located on four acres of property, the new family-friendly establishment will serve ‘BIER,’ wine, cider, cold brew coffee, wine slushies and food.
* * *
Jensen also discussed the city’s infrastructure and future road improvements – most notably the beginning of the Pleasant Street corridor improvement from State Road 37 to Hague Road in partnership with Hamilton County. Beaty Construction was awarded Phase I of the project, which will rebuild and expand Pleasant Street from River Road to 10th Street. Jensen said utility relocation and construction of the bridge over the White River will begin this fall and road construction will start in the spring. Phase I will be open to traffic by the end of 2024.
“The expansion of Pleasant Street is my No. 1 infrastructure priority,” Jensen said. “We will break ground on the $125 million investment by the end of the year,” he said.
* * *
Noblesville recently opened two improvements on the east side of the city: widening Olio Road from 141st Street to 146th Street, adding a new roundabout at 146th Street and Olio Road, and a new roundabout at 156th Street and Boden Road.
Jensen highlighted the partnership with INDOT to construct the State Road 32/38 roundabout that will enhance access to Riverview Hospital and east-west traffic flow and safety. The southern portion of the roundabout has been completed, and work on the northern portion is expected to be substantially complete in less than two months. Construction of the roundabout with SR 32 and River Road will occur in 2023.
* * *
Other highlights of Jensen’s State of the City speech include:
- Since joining the Noblesville Police Department in late February, Therapy K9 Luna has been deployed 109 times for numerous different incidents. As a result of Luna’s impact within the Noblesville community, several other police agencies from Indiana and other states are actively seeking out police therapy dogs. The Noblesville Fire Department also is getting a therapy K9, Carbon, to assist the department and NobleACT calls.
- NobleAct – Since its inception, NobleACT has served more than 600 individual community members as well as local groups and organizations. NobleACT’s mission and impact are being noted from other local agencies as well as nationwide and Noblesville has fielded numerous calls to provide guidance for similar based programs.
- A partnership between the City of Noblesville, Noblesville Schools and local community-based sports programs was announced this year with the Noblesville Youth Sports Alliance. The alliance will determine priority areas of focus including development of a “one-stop shop” website that provides overall information about youth sports offerings in Noblesville and registration links for all member organizations.
- Nexus – Cityscape Residential is nearing completion of its redevelopment of the former Marsh Supermarket site along River Road. The project includes 287 residential units, 36,000 square feet of commercial space, coworking areas, saltwater pool, a pet spa, outdoor spaces and downtown connectivity with trail access.
- Bridge of Flowers – The enhancement of the pedestrian overlook area of the Logan Street Bridge, in partnership with the Gordon family and Hamilton County, includes permanent plants, seasonal flowers and shaded seating structures.
- East Bank – This $47.9 million project will replace the Hamilton County Employee Parking Lot and will revitalize underutilized space along the White River and enhance the vibrancy of the river and the Riverwalk Trail. JC Hart and Republic Development are building 219 residential units with 5,000 square feet of retail space.