The County Line
It probably seemed like a good idea at the time, converting the Nickel Plate into a walking trail. But, it now seems like many in general public don’t like the plan of giving up the railroad.
Now public officials are being faced with demands from many for both the rails and a trail. That is expensive, real expensive. If you look at the railroad south of Noblesville, you will note the tracks are at a higher elevation than adjacent ground. That means either a trail in the ditch or, more likely, building up one side of the right-of-way to the railroad level.
The conversion of the railroad to a trail doesn’t seem to have gained a whole lot more public support than the ill-fated idea of selling Seminary Park for a housing development.
So, would it make more sense to complete the Midland Trail and Riverwalk projects first? And other transportation projects like the Pleasant Street extension and upgrading of State Road 37 are also probably more urgent.
Or, how about the downtown parking needs? Then there are good plans for development of the west bank of the river that need to be brought to fruition.
In the meantime, it might be a good idea to wait to see if the Heritage Port Authority, owner of the Nickel Plate, gets proposals from potential operators of the railroad which the port authority says it is seeking.