The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has reportedly withdrawn its interest in filing eminent domain on the land under Wilson Farm Market, 720 E. 256th St., Arcadia.
INDOT’s original plan would have replaced this beloved business with a cul-de-sac. The new plan may place a cul-de-sac beside the market, but owner Scott Wilson says that is not enough and the fight is not over.
“We’re not really fighting for our building,” Wilson said in a Facebook Live video. “We’re fighting for an exchange out here at 256th Street.”
According to Wilson, he and others still want an exchange at the intersection, rather than a cul-de-sac without access to U.S. 31. Wilson said there are various reasons for that including public safety and school access.
“It’s really not about the building; it never has been,” Wilson said. “It’s about the need for an exchange for the township, for the public safety of those in the township, for the public safety of the school. Of course, those higher up than us don’t see that.”
Wilson was clear that the plan to demolish the business for U.S. 31 projects was neither an idea that came from nor was supported by Hamilton County officials.
Wilson called on Facebook viewers and the market’s supporters to email INDOT and local public safety agencies, the school board and their other elected officials to push for support to build an exchange at the intersection instead of turning it into a cul-de-sac.
“This township needs an exchange,” Wilson said. “We’re not going anywhere, and I’m gonna keep raising all kinds of hell.”