“We are a great community and we are getting better.”
That’s the bottom line statement on the State of the City from Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. The mayor also made some news in his speech, announcing two new economic development projects.
STANLEY Security plans on building a new headquarters in Fishers Point Business Park on the corner of Kincaid and Sunlight drives. Braden Business Systems plans to construct a 4-story structure at Municipal Drive and North Street in the downtown Nickel Plate District. The city says the combined projects are expected to bring more than $22 million in investment and jobs to Fishers.
Mayor Fadness said by close of business Thursday, Fishers will surpass all the economic development of 2015, and we are not even done with the month of February.
STANLEY plans an 80,000 square foot building with 300 jobs. Construction is expected to begin shortly after approval.
Braden plans to bring 70 jobs to its downtown location with 90 more workers possible by the year 2020. Braden plans to occupy 20,000 square feet of the new building, and the City of Fishers will master lease the remaining 15,000 square feet.
Here’s what the Fishers news release revealed about incentives being offered:
Both projects include an abatement and fee waiver agreement and will be considered at the City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 15. The Braden Business Systems agreement also includes the dedication of land for the new building. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has partnered with Braden Business Systems on the project as well.
Fadness talked about Cloud One, a high-tech company moving to Fishers, which has been described as the fourth-largest tech company in the state.
The mayor discussed a number of other issues during his State of the City address.
–He talked about TopGolf and IKEA coming to Fishers. He touted Launch Fishers as a job creator by hatching small business startups. All 13 business suites to be included in the new Launch building set for occupancy in March are already full.
–The Mayor praised city council members, calling it a “positive working relationship.”
–The State Road 37 project was highlighted during the speech. He called it “the largest infrastructure project in the history of Fishers.” The mayor pointed to the unique relationship among the State of Indiana, Noblesville and Hamilton County that resulted in the plan to upgrade this section of highway. “We will fix this corridor once and for all, while at the same time mitigating the costs to our individual residents here in Fishers, ensuring we have the upmost sensitivity to business owners along this corridor,” Fadness said. The mayor also touted the $217 million 5-year transportation improvement plan aimed to relieving traffic congestion in the city, with 72% of the money coming from state and federal funds.
–The Mental Health initiative was discussed as a way to help Fishers residents suffering with such illnesses. In 2014, there were 157 Fishers citizens detained because their mental illness posed a threat to themselves and/or others. In 2015, there were 211 such detentions. The mayor’s task force is implementing 8 specific recommendations to work toward dealing with mental health issues in Fishers.
–Fishers was recently named one of the safest communities in the nation, but the mayor says we cannot take safety for granted. Innovations are becoming the norm in Fishers public safety, he says. The city police department has developed an app to better communicate with the public. The fire department paramedic program, being proactive with area residents just released from the hospital, has been a success.
–The mayor praised the strong relationship between the local school corporation and the city, saying that alliance continues to form. A new Public Safety Academy will be created by the Fishers Parks Department, allowing high school students to have exposure to what local police officers and firefighters do. According to Fadness, “The line between city and school is continuing to blur.”
–The mayor plans to redevelop the 116th Street & Allisonville corridor, 96th Street and the downtown area to attack what he calls “urban decay.” He says this is largely due to demographic shifts and aging infrastructure.
–Finally, the mayor gave a shout-out to long-time Police Chief George Kehl, who plans to retire in September. The audience gave the chief a standing ovation.
