Whenever a major economic development project is hatched in Fishers, you can count on the Indianapolis Business Journal to be on top of it. Now that the announcement has been made and The Yard culinary & entertainment development is coming to the area near IKEA (now under construction), IBJ reporter Lindsey Erdody tried to develop some additional details contained in a story published inside the latest published IBJ edition.
The piece tells the story of how the 21 families in the Springdale Estates neighborhood came together to negotiate the sale of their homes to the developer.
She talks to Ashlee Boyd, managing partner of the developer, Thompson Thrift. She also quotes City Councilor Eric Moeller on how the city would approach requests for drive-up windows in that development.
Bottom line, you will know a little more about what is planned. You will also know that a lot of details are just not known at this time, but are being negotiated now.
You can read Lindsey Erdody’s story at this link. (Note: If you are not an online subscriber to IBJ, you may be limited on the number of stories you may access)
The nation was shocked by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. this is the story of what happened and the aftermath from the point of view of his wife, Jackie, portrayed by Natalie Portman.
2016 is at a close, and it marks 5 years of my blogging about local news and events in Fishers. As I have written numerous times in this space, when starting this venture in January of 2012 by attending my first Fishers Town Council meeting and writing about it, I had very low expectations.
This was started in reaction to changes in the news business. I had subscribed to the Noblesville Daily Ledger and after it essentially shut down as a daily paper, I subscribed to the Noblesville Times. Both covered Fishers news. But both dailies succumbed to the decline of journalism we have seen in the last 10-15 years.
It is my belief that people want journalism now more than ever. The problem is how to harness the progress in technology and deliver news while making a profit.
When I retired from by civil service job in 20011, it was clear there was no daily news presence in Fishers. Current in Fishers is a weekly, but the news in that publication is several days old when you get it in the mail. This is not a criticism of Current…….those people do the best they can as a weekly using the US Mail for delivery, but a weekly can only do so much.
So I decided to embark on a mission to provide timely news through the Web for people living in Fishers. I could see there was little or no prospect of making such an operation profitable, so I have kept this a one-man-band volunteer effort. I expected a few news and government junkies to read it.
Once I began measuring the number of page views and unique visitors, I was astounded. Both measures are in the thousands each month of 2016. For a locally-focused news blog, those are incredible audience figures. I thank each and every one of you for reading what I have to write.
In February of this year, I began a new experiment – podcasting. One series was a failure, another is still ongoing and a third is still in the experimental stage.
I started with a daily tax podcast. I have a tax background and thought such a podcast would draw an audience. In only a few weeks, I could see the handwriting on the wall. The tax podcasts had a very loyal, but very small audience, so it came to an end in March.
I replaced that series for an occasional podcast about the arts. I would attend local events and write reviews about them. I knew there would not be enough local arts events to keep the podcast going, so I’ve supplemented that series with reviews of television programs and events, as well as film. I did some film reviews many years ago, so why not try again? The Arts&Fishers Podcast is building an audience, so that will continue into 2017 and we will see where it goes.
But the podcasts that continue to be popular are the interviews I conduct, mostly with local people. Mayor Scott Fadness was very kind to be my guest on the first podcast. I have tried to talk with a wide variety of people doing important things around Fishers.
I interviewed Fishers Police Chief George Kehl a few months before his retirement. He made some very kind remarks at the end of that interview, basically reassuring me that people are listening to the podcasts and that people are reading my blog. I like our new Police Chief Mitch Thompson, but I do miss George.
Here is one request I have for everyone listening to my Podcasts. They are available on several platforms, but one of the biggest is iTunes. You can search iTunes under “Podcasts by Larry Lannan” and find them all there. If you listen on iTunes, please take a moment to comment and rate the podcasts. That is a big help to me in making my podcast series more visible to others.
2017 will be an eventful year. Yes, we will have a new president but I won’t get into that here. Mayor Scott Fadness enters his third year in office. He has been very aggressive in developing the city and I see no abatement in his efforts to economically grow the city.
We will have 2 new members of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board. The school system will undergo a number of renovations, including to the administration building, and begin the process of constructing a new (as of yet unnamed) elementary school on Cyntheanne Road.
The Fishers City Council will likely get a new president. Early indications are that long-time Councilor David George will preside over the body in 2017.
In closing, the one thing that keeps me going as a volunteer writing on this site and podcasting, points directly at you. You take the time to read this blog, listen to my podcasts, and that motivates me to continue this endeavor. Once again, thank you, and allow me to wish each and every one of you a happy and blessed 2017!
Long-time Fishers Police Chief George Kehl retired….it was the top Fishers news story in 2016
This is the time of year for top stories of 2016. I did this locally two years ago but didn’t even attempt for 2015. But as 2016 comes to a close, here I go again.
As I explained two years ago, these lists are normally formulated by news organizations after a series of meetings (and corresponding pitched battles among the reporters and editors on what the top stories are, and how they should be ranked).
So, I will make an attempt to list the top news stories in 2016 for the City of Fishers. I do not make any assertion that this is a perfect list. Many of you may have issues with it. That’s OK with me.
This list is just an attempt to get a conversation started and look back at the past year. A lot has happened in and around Fishers. So, without further ado, here is my listing of the top 20 Fishers news stories of 2016:
20. CITY MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE MOVES FORWARD
When Scott Fadness took over as the first mayor of Fishers in January 2015, one of his initial actions was to appoint a committee to wrestle with the complex issue of mental health. As the town manager, he had seen the weekly statistics of how many “immediate detentions” were being handled by his police force. An “immediate detention” is required when a person is determined to be a danger to his/herself, or people close to that person, and that individual is taken into custody for that reason. There is normally a mental health condition that causes this. Mayor Fadness has had his committee members following an action plan to address this issue. The Hamilton Southeastern Schools have signed a contract with Community Health to provide mental health services in all school buildings. The mayor has said this is a long-term effort and it will take time to show tangible results. The momentum moving that program forward continues.
19. FISHERS POLICE DEVELOP CRIME WATCH PHONE APP
In an interesting collaboration between law enforcement and the local techie world, Fishers Police rolled-out a Crime Watch phone app, allowing local citizens to report suspicious activity and even click a picture on their cell phones to pass along to local police officers on duty. Fishers Police Captain (now Assistant Chief) Ed Gebhart noticed how much his own officers were using cell phone technology, and recruited a local coding geek Auri Rahimzadeh. Together, they put the app together. So far, the experiment has been a success and the phone app has been updated several times since the rollout. You can read more about the app from my original story at this link.
18. PETE PETERSON WINS, THEN LOSES COUNTY GOP CHAIR
I don’t often cover county issues on this site, but with the Hamilton County Republican Party holding nearly all the elected office in this county, a change in chairman is important, especially if that change of leadership involves a Fishers elected official. When Pete Emigh resigned as party chair, precinct committeemen (& women) voted on who would fill-out the remainder of his term. In the first balloting, Fishers City Councilman Pete Peterson was the winner. But a few weeks later, the state Republican Republican Committee invalidated some of the votes cast by Emigh appointees, which resulted in Laura Campbell winning the election.
17. FISHERS FREEDOM FESTIVAL TO REMAIN AT HOLLAND PARK IN 2017
There had been strong indications the Fishers Freedom Festival, an annual mid-summer event in Fishers since 1989, would move from its home in Holland Park to the downtown Nickel Plate District. According to the event’s Executive Director, Jennifer Kehl, talks between city officials and the festival committee resulted in a decision to keep the festival at Holland Park in 2017 with the same support from the city as the previous year. However, after 2017, a move of the festival to the municipal complex downtown is possible. Time will tell.
16. FISHERS FOOTBALL COACH RICK WIMMER SUSPENDED WITH PAY, REINSTATED
Fishers High School Football Coach Rick Wimmer is known throughout the state as a top-tier coach. He took the Tigers to a state championship in 2010. Local sports talk radio was packed with comments when Wimmer was suspended with pay while Hamilton Southeastern school officials investigated an incident between Wimmer and a student in September. The coach missed two games, but was reinstated once the investigation found the coach had done nothing wrong.
15. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FORMED TO CONSTRUCT NEW POLICE HQ
Mayor Scott Fadness told a city council work session in August that he wants a new police headquarters building to be constructed. The $12 million, 47,000 square foot facility will include a parking garage where police vehicles can be stored securely. The Board of Works and Safety later approved a public private partnership involving a local developer, the Hagerman Group. Hagerman will design and cost out the plans. If all goes well, Hagerman will have the inside track to handle the entire project.
14. LAUNCH FISHERS MOVES TO A NEWER, BIGGER HOME
When Launch Fishers, the co-working space for budding entrepreneurs, was first hatched in November of 2012, it’s first home was in the lower-level of the Fishers Library. As Launch continued to grow, a new home was found at Northeast Commerce Park on Visionary Way, in a structure vacated by a bankrupt debt collection agency. The facility was renovated and opened to its members in 2016.
13. FISHERS RECEIVES AAA BOND RATING
When Oscar Gutierrez became the Fishers City Controller, he had a goal in mind. He wanted Fishers to be one of only 2% of US cities to obtain a AAA bond rating from Standard and Poor. This will make city borrowing cheaper, allowing more funds to be directed at projects and less on interest expense. Standard and Poor’s awarded the AAA rating to Fishers in 2016.
12. SCHOOL BOARD ELECTS TWO NEW MEMBERS
Sylvia Shepler coasted to an easy victory in her Hamilton Southeastern School Board reelection bid from Wayne Township against challenger Charron Wright. Amanda Shera won the right to succeed retiring board member Karen Harmer by defeating three other candidates. Howard Stevenson had been appointed to fill-out Darren Sink’s board term after Mr. Sink moved out of town to take a new job. Stevenson lost his reelection bid to Mike Bottorff by 41 votes, or .11% of the votes cast. Shepler, Shera and Bottorff will take the oath of office in January of 2017.
11. SPECIAL CENSUS – 87,887 FISHERS RESIDENTS
The official census is taken every ten years, and Fishers’ population count in 2010 was 76,880. City officials sensed that the population had been growing since 2010. Because money the city receives from state and local agencies often is tied to the official census figure, Fishers decided it would be profitable to pay for a special census. The city did not conduct a full census count of the entire city, the new count focused on only the growing areas of the city. Based on the special census conducted in 2016, the new census figure for Fishers is 87,887, a gain in population of just over 11,000. The controller’s office expects the city to net about $1.4 million the rest of this decade from the special census.
10. FAIR TRAIN OFF THE TRACKS
The Indiana State Fair Train has been running for over 30 consecutive years, until 2016. This normally attracts about 10,000 fair-goers to Fishers. The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority could not make needed safety repairs to the track in time for the fair. Mayor Scott Fadness issued a statement of sadness that the train would not run in 2016, but understands the need to put safety first. What will happen in 2017? We will see.
9. CITY COUNCIL ACTS ON PAY, SEWER RATES & WHEEL TAX
The Fishers City Council acted on three controversial issues in 2016. The first action will boost the pay of council members by $7,000 a year, to $19,000. Councilors voted to increase sewer rates by $5 per month for those served by the city and not HSE Utilities. Council members argued this increase is needed to keep the sewer system up-to-date and running and is the first rate increase since 1997. A Wheel Tax earmarked for street and road construction and maintenance was enacted,which will cost each vehicle owner in Fishers $25 per vehicle beginning in 2018.
8.FISHERS ENACTS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
During its days as a town, Fishers had never formulated a comprehensive plan to provide a road map for future development. During 2016, the second year as a city, Fishers developed and enacted a comprehensive plan. The detailed document covers a number of issues, including land use, transportation and parks.
7. HSE APPROVES iPADS FOR GRADES K-4 WITH RESTRICTIONS
When school officials moved toward rolling-out iPads for students in grades kindergarten through 4, some parents objected, concerned about screen time for students that young and taking home the units each night after school. After several discussions, administrators recommended limiting screen time and allowing parents to decide whether the iPad unit will come home after school. The school board approved the recommendation.
6. DEMOGRAPHER TELLS SCHOOL BOARD ERA OF GROWTH IS OVER
Dr. Jerry McKibben is a nationally known demographer, and has made many projections of student populations to the Hamilton Southeastern School Board over the years. His projections have generally been very accurate. Dr. McKibben provided data to the school board in October, showing a stabilized student population, with a small reduction in students beginning in 2021. You can view the entire presentation at this link.
5. GUILTY PLEAS, SENTENCES IN TWO MURDER CASES
Fortunately, murders are rare in the City of Fishers. However, in 2014, Fishers endured two murder cases. In both instances, the suspects pleaded guilty and received their sentences in 2016. Maxwell Winkler was sentenced to nearly 80 years after pleading guilty but mentally ill in the murder of Henry Kim. Corbin Montgomery pleaded guilty in connection with the stabbing death of Conner Shockley, receiving a sentence of nearly 40 years in prison.
4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES UNABATED IN FISHERS
The economic juggernaut known as Fishers continued in 2016. The new IKEA store began construction in 2016, and a huge culinary and entertainment center is planned nearby. The city announced the North of North development set for construction at the municipal complex. The new TopGolf center is under construction at I-69 & 116th Street. Development firm Citimark bought the Launch Fishers building (no change in that operation) and bought the old (now vacant) Charles Schwab call center next door. A high-tech center is planned for that area. Stanley Security and Braden started construction on new headquarters buildings. Harley Davidson plans a new dealership on 126th Street, just east of State Road 37. A new Starbucks coffee shop is coming to the area of 116th Street and Olio Road.
3. ROAD PROJECTS CONTINUE
The Hamilton County Council voted to pave the way for an upgraded State Road 37 throughout Fishers. Council members unanimously approved the county’s share of the funding, and authorized a marketing plan to be funded by the city and county, helping impacted business along the stretch of highway during the construction period. Work should begin in earnest in 2018 or 2019. Interstate 69 lane expansion work continues, along with the new configuration at Exit 210. The new interchange at 106th Street and I-69 opened in December. The city continues with a long list of local road and street projects.
2. HSE SCHOOL REFERENDUM PASSES OVERWHELMINGLY
Voters in the Hamilton Southeastern School District approved an operating referendum in 2016 increasing property tax rates by 12 cents per $100 of assessed value. This allows school administrators to begin lowering class sizes and provided the money for a pay increase among the local schools teaching staff. The good news? This vote is good for 7 years before school officials need to return to the voters for operating money, even to keep funding at the same level.
1. GEORGE KEHL RETIRES AS FISHERS POLICE CHIEF, MITCH THOMPSON TAKES OVER
It was 1975 when George Kehl joined law enforcement in Fishers. He became chief in 1978 and has led the department since then. That is, until the end of September, 2016. That’s when Chief Kehl left the moniker of chief behind. George Kehl retired from the police force where he had hired every officer in the department. That includes his successor as chief, Mitch Thompson. All reports indicate George Kehl is enjoying his retirement, as he should, after nearly 40 years of service to Fishers. Mitch Thompson was sworn-in as the new leader of local law enforcement.
Sometimes, this time of year, I wish people a Merry Christmas, other times I will say Happy Holidays. I believe the phrase “Happy Holidays” is fine.
I am a Christian and believe that Christmas is one of the most important religious holidays of the year. The birth of Jesus Christ should be celebrated.
However, I am aware of what is happening around me. Not everyone is a Christian. Some very good people believe differently than I. Therefore, a wish of Happy Holidays does not diminish my religious beliefs, but it is a polite recognition that there are people of good will who just happen to have a different belief system than my own.
I keep hearing about a “War on Christmas” but if it does in fact exist, there is no perceptible evidence I have seen that it exists. Christmas appears to be a safe and sound holiday in America.
It should be pointed out that during the 20th Century, Christmas has slowly evolved into a much more commercial event than a religious one in America. I do find that sad.
Another reason I like to use the phrase Happy Holidays? It includes not only Christmas, but New Year’s Day as well.
So, when you see me write or hear me say Happy Holidays, it is my view Christmas has not been diminished as a religious holiday for me. It’s just a recognition there are people with religious beliefs not the same as my own, and I am showing respect to those people.
Were residents of Springdale Estates “displaced” from their homes to make way for “The Yard” culinary development? Here is my commentary on that issue posted to Indiana Forefront……..
The Fishers Board of Works and Safety spent a good deal of its time at the December 22nd meeting approving items related to various road and street projects.
The boarrd voted to award construction contracts adding an additional eastbound travel lane on 116th Street between IKEA Way and Cumberland Road, adding an additional southbound lane on Cumberland Road, the modernization of two traffic signals and an additional right turn lane onto Exit Five Parkway. Three bids were received for the project. The lowest, most responsive bidder was Reith Riley Contruction Co. in the amount of $2,820,300.00. The board went along with the city Engineering Department’s recommendation, accepting the bid as submitted by Reith Riley Construction Co.
The board approved a Project Coordination Contract with the State of Indiana for a new roundabout to be constructed at 131st Street and Cumberland Road. This moves forward with that construction, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2017 or 2018. Mayor Fadness expressed his strong expectation that this project be completed before the major construction begins on State Road 37.
In yet another contract award, the board awarded a contract consisting of: the resurfacing of USA Parkway from 116th Street to USA Drive, the addition of bike lanes, and installation of new signage. Four bids were received for the project. The lowest, most responsive bidder was E&B Paving in the amount of $535,994.38.
The board accepted about 9 additional miles into its road inventory. You can view the entire list at this link. You can view a map showing the new inventory at this link.
A long list of traffic changes in several neighborhoods was approved by the board, including stop signs, yield signs and speed limits. The entire list is available at this link.
The board OK’d a right of way resolution tied to the economic agreement aimed at bringing a new Harley Davidson dealership near 126th Street and Reynolds Drive.
Federal funds were accepted by the board for improvements to 113th & Florida Road, and rehabilitation of the roadway on 113th Street from Olio Road to Florida Road.
Representatives from the Breakwater subdivision had requested pedestrian path improvements be made for Breakwater subdivision along the east side of Brooks School Road as well as crossing Brooks School Road. The board went along with a city Transportation Committee recommendation to approach the issue as part of a comprehensive corridor plan instead of piecemeal projects. This would result in beginning the planning process to develop a complete Brooks School Rd corridor plan to include expanded pedestrian access and secure funding for those improvements.
We may be in the dead of winter, but some road construction continues around Fishers after the Christmas Holiday.
Lane closures along I-69, 116th & Commercial Drive, as well as Allisonville Road near 131st street, are the areas to watch in the work week following Christmas.
Below is the official listing, provided by the City of Fishers:
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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.
106TH STREET & CUMBERLAND ROAD ROUNDABOUT
The new roundabout at 106th Street and Cumberland Road is now open to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution, this site is still an active construction zone.
116TH STREET
There will be daytime lane restrictions on 116th Street between Commercial Drive and Exit Five Parkway while road work is being completed.
ALLISONVILLE ROAD
There will be temporary lane restrictions on northbound Allisonville Road near 131st Street on Tuesday and Wednesday for utility work, weather permitting. There will be barrels in place and flaggers directing traffic.
It’s the Christmas Holiday season, a time when families tend to seek out movies to see at the local theater. Local Film Critic Christopher Lloyd talks about the best films of 2016
