The July 3rd edition of the Indianapolis Star has two stories with a Fishers angle.

The first is about building standards for residential housing.  Reporter Chris Sikich writes about a pending lawsuit arguing that the City of Greenwood is imposing standards for one housing development that exceeds the city’s authority under Indiana law.

If this lawsuit is successful, it could limit the authority of local governments throughout Indiana to set and enforce building standards.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is quoted in the Sikich story, making his case that standards are good for cities because they ensure the quality of construction will be done on a minimum level as defined by the local government.

Sikich quotes Mayor Fadness as follows:

“Clearly, cities want a clear vision for their communities, and you need the ability to regulate architecture to bring about that sense of place.”

As someone watching local government meetings in Fishers over the past four and a half years, Fishers does have such standards and works hard to enforce those rules.

Bottom line, Sikich does a good job of looking at this issue and explaining what might happen if the legal action against Greenwood is successful.

In another piece in the same edition, the Star’s Kris Turner writes about the new development planned for the Fishers downtown Nickel Plate District.

The planned development will have space set aside called “live-work.”  For example, this would allow a business owner to own a photography studio or art gallery and live in an apartment just above the business location.

Fishers Redevelopment Commission President Wayne Crane grew up in the City of Chicago.  After being briefed on the “live-work” concept by city staff, he said this reminded him of the old Chicago neighborhoods he knew growing up, where families owned a business and lived in an apartment just above the business location.

Wayne is right.  This concept looks to me as if we are once again headed back to the future.

Both Indy Star stories in the Sunday edition are worth your time to read.

Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal reports a new hotel could be in the works in Fishers in the Crosspoint area, near the now-under-construction 106th Street interchange at I-69.

Read her story at this link.

Hamilton County Democratic Chairman Keith Clock announced candidates he has appointed to run for county offices on the November 8 ballot.

For Hamilton County Commissioner District 2, Mimi DeMore will run against incumbent Steve Dilinger.

In District 3, Debra Jarvis will be the Democrat candidate against incumbent Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt.

In the At-Large County Council election, three Democrats will be running:  Rosemary Dunkle, Bob Williams and Edward Chu.  The Republican candidates for At-Large County Council seats are Brad Beaver, Jeff Hern and Rick McKinney.  Beaver and McKinney are incumbents.

Democrats have appointed Pat Otten to oppose Republican Robin Mills for County Auditor.

In the County Treasurer election, Democrats will run Mark Bailey to oppose Republican Jennifer Templeton.

For County Surveyor, Democrat Joe Weingarten will face Republican Kenton Ward.

“Our party’s number one priority is to give voters of Hamilton County a choice on Election Day,” Hamilton County Democrat Chairman Keith Clock said in a news release.

When no candidate files for an office in the May primary, the county party chair may appoint candidates for those offices by a legally-set deadline .

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) says motorists driving around the 106th Street construction area on I-69 in Fishers should be on the lookout for overnight lane closures beginning July 5th.  This wave of closures is expected to last about 2 weeks.

See the details below in a statement from INDOT:

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Walsh Construction Company plans to close lanes of northbound Interstate 69 next week between 82nd Street (Exit 201) and 116th Street (Exit 205) for construction of the new 106th Street interchange.

Crews are building two new bridges over I-69, one for each direction of traffic on 106th Street, and will be forming and pouring concrete piers in the interstate median.  Multiple left lane closures should be expected over the next two weeks.  The following schedule is subject to change and will be updated as work progresses:

• Tuesday, July 5 – northbound I-69 will have three left lanes closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Wednesday, July 6 – northbound I-69 will have three left lanes closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Friday, July 8 – northbound I-69 will have one left lane closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The speed limit near the construction zone at mile marker 204 is reduced to 55 mph and may be reduced further to 45 mph when workers are present.  Motorists are advised to pay attention to work zone warning signs, follow posted speed limits and keep a safe following distance from other motorists.

The City of Fishers unveiled a new city logo today (7.1).  It incorporates some of the old with some new concepts.  The city flag insignia is embedded in the logo.

City officials released details on what the new logo means.

The news release from the City of Fishers is below.

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The City has worked diligently on a new design that visually captures our vision for a smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial Fishers. Our community has seen a lot of change over the years. We felt it was important to embrace the future and pay homage to past, and this logo does that very well.

With any good design, there is a story behind it. The logo has several elements and each element tells a portion of the story.

The icon – The icon element of the new logo pays homage to the Fishers’ flag. As explained by the Fishers’ website, the green, blue and white colors of the flag represent the fields, waterways and infrastructure of Fishers, respectively.

Specifically, the white of the flag represents the intersection of I-69 and 116^th Street. On the updated icon, the “116^th Street” bar has been extended from one side to the other to represent the growth in Fishers over the years. In addition, the white crossbars of the icon are left open, without an endpoint. This represents the welcoming, open culture of the City of Fishers, as well as the continued growth expected over the next several decades.

The horizon line – The horizon line represents the future of Fishers. In literature works, the horizon has exemplified the possibility of greatness, better things or change in general. As the city moves forward towards the vision of a smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial city, the horizon represents this process and the culture of challenging the status quo that has become synonymous with Fishers. 

Typography – Fishers is spelled out in the logo with a new font that is has straight lines, a block shape and rounded endpoints. Notice this specific font doesn’t touch in some letters, such as the “R” in Fishers. This further represents the openness of the community. In addition, the block, rounded shape represents a solid foundation with a well-rounded, balanced governing body. A dark gray color was chosen for Fishers to “root” the logo with a neutral, grounded color.

Est. 1872 – This element is a tribute to the history of Fishers and communicates that the community is well established and woven into the fabric of central Indiana.

You know the heart of summer is here…not just because we have the 4th of July weekend looming….the road construction listing from the City of Fishers is once again a long one.

Below is the list, provided by the city, for the week of July 4th….

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BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

Continuing this week, the bridge on 106th Street between Allisonville Road and Hague Road will be closed by the Hamilton County Highway Department for replacement. Detour routes will be displayed in the area and access to local traffic will be permitted for residents and businesses. Please direct any questions about this project to alison.krupski@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

BROOKS SCHOOL ROAD

Please expect lane restrictions on Brooks School Road between 116^th Street and 126^th Street from Wednesday, July 8 through Friday, July 10. Restrictions will allow for contractors to perform paving activities from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily.

CURB REPAIRS

A contractor will be repairing curb ramps in The Bristols throughout the coming weeks. Please anticipate periodic lane restrictions in that area.

FALL CREEK TRAIL

Fall Creek Trail reconstruction work continues; The Fall Creek Trail project between 96th Street and Brooks School Road will have periodic lane closures for paving operations. Please travel with caution, construction barrels have reduced the existing northbound lane width.

I-69 AND CAMPUS PARKWAY

Milestone Contractors has begun mobilizing cranes and other equipment and setting a temporary concrete barrier wall along I-69 at Campus Parkway Exit 210. Work will require alternating lane closures on northbound and southbound I-69 between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Lane closures may recur each night through the end of the week depending on weather and progress. Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT at eastcentralin@indot.in.gov or 1-855-463-6848.

I-69 TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS

INDOT is overseeing an overnight closure on multiple traffic lanes on I-69 overnight this week to continue demolition of the 106th Street overpass bridge. Weather permitting, lane closures and rolling slowdowns of traffic will begin after 9 p.m. and are expected to end before 6 a.m. the next day. Construction schedules and traffic restrictions are subject to change, and questions should be directed to INDOT at indot.carsporgram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone.

STATE ROAD 37

Various general survey work has begun along the State Road 37 corridor. Work will take place starting at the 126th Street intersection. Learn more atwww.Fishers.in.us/SR37.

96^th STREET

Fishers Department of Public Works will be performing street repairs on 96th Street between Lantern Road and I-69 beginning Tuesday, July 5th and ending on Friday, July 8th. Repairs will take place between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., please use caution when traveling in the area.

96th STREET AND CARROLL ROAD

The pedestrian path near the intersection of 96th Street and Carroll Road will be closed due to wall repair work. Periodic lane closures may be utilized for the eastbound travel lanes. Please use caution when traveling through the construction area.

106th STREET INTERCHANGE

INDOT has begun work on the 106th Street interchange. A lane shift is currently in place on I-69 and 106th Street is closed as construction continues. Additional details about this project will be released through INDOT and shared on the weekly construction update. Please be advised the speed limit from 82nd Street to 116th Street has been reduced to 55 mph and there are lane shifts on I-69. Please travel with caution and pay close attention to signage in the area.

116th STREET

• There may be short-term lane restrictions on eastbound 116th Street between USA Parkway and Exit Five Parkway while utility work is being completed. Nightly lane restrictions will also be in place on 116^th Street between Commercial Drive and USA Parkway between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning the night of July 6th.
• Lane restrictions will be in place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for eastbound and westbound traffic on 116^th Street west of Olio Road. Restrictions will allow for median and drive entrance construction.

126th STREET

• Continuing this week, there will be intermittent lane restrictions for westbound traffic just west of Promise Road. These restrictions will allow the contractor to construct the entrance into Granite Ridge subdivision. Advance warning signs will be in place including a directional arrow board, as needed.
• Temporary lane restrictions will be in place on 126th Street between Cyntheanne Road and Atlantic Road in order for shoulder work to be completed. Please drive with caution in the area.

When I see the word “crawl” a couple of things come to mind for me.

First, I envision myself on my hands and knees crawling.  As a guy in his 60s, that not as easy to do as it once was.

Another vision of crawl is traffic in and around Fishers crawling at a slow pace.

Needless to say, those things are not positive visions of the word crawl

Fishers is trying to change that view of the word “crawl” with the Arts Crawl, coming Friday, July 15th.

Here’s the city news release with more details on the event:

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Breathtaking art displays, engaging street performances and delicious food and drinks are coming to the Nickel Plate District once again. On July 15 from 6 to 9 p.m., the community is invited for the second installation of the Arts Crawl, a program the City hosts in partnership with the Nickel Plate District Business Council and the Fishers Arts Council. The free event features over 25 stops at local businesses that showcase local or regional artists and their exhibits.

“Now that we’ve created a vibrant downtown gathering place for our residents to enjoy, we’re constantly working to activate it in diverse ways,” stated Mayor Scott Fadness. “The Arts Crawl is such a unique event because it allows residents to visit the Nickel Plate District, connect with local businesses and enjoy some very diverse art exhibits.”

Maps are available at City Hall, at participating businesses and on the City’s website for those interested in planning their self-guided art tour ahead of time. Guests are also encouraged to download the Nickel Plate District mobile app to access a digital map during the event. The event is hosted in conjunction with the City’s AMP After Dark Concert series presented by Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, that takes place from 9 to 11 p.m. and features local singer/songwriter, Jennie DeVoe.

“Hosting the Arts Crawl prior to the AMP After Dark means that the community has an entire evening of free events to enjoy,” said Fishers Parks & Recreation Director, Tony Elliot. “We encourage residents to invite a few friends, arrive early and celebrate the talent we have right here in Fishers.”

Additional information about the Arts Crawl including a list of participating businesses, artists and a downloadable map can be found at www.Fishers.in.us/ArtsCrawl. Guests attending the event are encouraged to share photos with hashtag #FishersArts for a chance to be featured.