It seems every time I am scheduled to be out of town, a big announcement happens in Fishers. Tuesday morning was one of those occasions.
Noblesville, Fishers and Hamilton County appear poised to begin the process of establishing a Nickel Plate Train along the old rail line. It has been used for the State Fair Train and a few other excursions in recent years, but with $5 million (at least) of work needed to bring the rail line up to safety standards, the train may be done for good.
Mayor Scott Fadness has expressed his intention of having meetings for public input on the proposal to transform the Nickel Plate Rail line from 96th Street north 9 miles to Noblesville, at a projected cost of about $9 million.
This idea has been rumored for a long time. Now that the proposal is up for public debate, let’s see what happens.
You can read more about the Nickel Plate Tuesday morning announcement from Lindsey Erdody’s Indianapolis Business Journal story at this link.
When an announcement was scheduled for Tuesday morning involving Fishers, Noblesville and Hamilton County at the Downtown Fishers Switch Building, speculation began to center on the Nickel Plate rail line and recent rumors that line would be converted to a trail.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness would not comment at all before Monday’s Board of Works meeting on what the announcement may entail.
John Tuohy of the Indianapolis Star posted a story Monday evening speculating that the Tuesday morning announcement will involve turning the rail line into a trail.
Fishers City Attorney Chris Greisl explains the Hagerman agreement to the Board of Public Works and Safety
The City of Fishers has entered into an agreement with the Hagerman Group, a Fishers-based construction firm, to build a new parking garage for the city police department. The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety, a body made up of Mayor Scott Fadness and his two appointees, approved the $5.7 million public-private partnership pact unanimously.
The facility is scheduled to be turned over to the city on August 1, 2018, but the actual construction is expected to be complete well before that date.
A public hearing drew no speakers.
Mayor Scott Fadness says Hagerman and police officials are currently working on the final design of the new police station, to be constructed adjacent to the garage. That arrangement will be considered by the board once those plans are complete.
The city has been concerned about the security of police equipment, particularly parked law enforcement vehicles in a lot. The garage would allow better security for that equipment.
In one other Board of Works action –the board approved the contract with Fall Creek Township for the city to provide Fire and Emergency Services. The roughly $538,000 contract is slightly higher than the previous year. Board member Jason Meyer abstained from voting, since he has recently assumed a seat on the Fall Creek Township Board.
You know it’s a big deal when a room full of entrepreneurs pack themselves into the Launch Fishers auditorium to hear from Governor Eric Holcomb, Mayor Scott Fadness, Launch Fishers Founder John Wechsler, ClearObject CEO John McDonald and many others. The occasion was the February 21st unveiling of a new planned Internet of Things (IoT) Lab near Launch Fishers, contained within a state-designated Certified Tech Park.
The Tech Park designation is important because the first $5 million in state tax money generated by businesses in the Tech Park are plowed back into improvements at the Tech Park, rather then going into the state coffers.
In a podcast interview the day following the announcement with myself and Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal, John McDonald said this may be the first IoT Lab in the world featuring a public-private partnership. There are many private companies with such operations, but he cannot find another IoT Lab like the one planned for Fishers.
If you want to better understand the Internet of Things, listen to the podcast with John McDonald. John explains how nearly everything we use, including our cars and lighting systems, will be tied to the Internet, creating this Internet of Things.
McDonald is also hopeful the new IoT Lab will continue to establish Fishers as a hub for high-tech companies. He credits Launch Fishers as a big part of bringing the high-tech culture to the Fishers economy.
McDonald’s company ClearObject (formerly known as CloudOne) will have its own employees working in the Fishers IoT Lab. There is little doubt other high tech firms will follow.
This is the second time Governor Holcomb has visited Fishers this month in a public appearance (first was a legislative breakfast at Conner Prairie). He and Mayor Fadness are clearly on the same page on how to grow the local economy.
“Fishers is on the cutting edge and on the move,” the governor said at the IoT Lab announcement.
If staying at the forefront of the high-tech world is an important cog in continuing the growth of Fishers, this announcement is a large step forward in that effort.
Keep in mind, Mayor Scott Fadness has promised the unveiling of even more initiatives at his State of the City address March 15th.
It’s one of the biggest parties of the year in Fishers, and this party benefits local schools. Friday night marked the annual Game Day celebration, the biggest annual fund-raiser for the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation.
It was a packed house, with bids stacking up for the many items in the silent auction. There was food and drink for all.
Warren Harling (Left) receives the Key to the City from Mayor Scott Fadness (picture courtesy of the City of Fishers)
The City of Fishers held a banquet Thursday night to recognize volunteers around the local community.
The Key to the City was awarded to Warren Harling, whose service on the local Plan Commission goes all the way back to 1993. This is only the third Key to the City awarded by Mayor Scott Fadness. The first two went to Tom Curry, founder of the S.P.O.R.T.S organization, and long-time Fishers Police Chief George Kehl.
“In 1993, the population of Fishers was 13,000 people,” Mayor Scott Fadness told the crowd. “Warren Harling today is still on the Plan Commission, still on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Not only does he serve on these committees month after month, but he presides over them.”
It was my honor to serve as emcee for the event. Kudos to Tony Elliot, Dan Domsic and Mayor Fadness for holding this celebration of volunteering. It’s the first time Fishers has ever done such an event. I suspect it will not be the last one.
Below is a list of all those honored at the City of Service Evening, held at Forum Credit Union’s Conference Center:
Fishers Parks and Recreation Youth Volunteers of the Year:
Dorothy and Jacqueline Schmok
Fishers Parks and Recreation Adult Volunteer of the Year:
Winter may still be here, but road work in the Fishers area continues. This includes more overnight lane restriction on I-69 at Exit 210.
Below is is listing for the work week beginning Monday, February 27th, provided by the City of Fishers:
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
Work is underway on the new traffic signal on 116th Street just west of Olio Road. During this time, the outside lanes of 116th Street will be restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow the contractor room to work.
126TH STREET
One lane of 126th Street in each direction will be restricted between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The restrictions will take place between Promise Road and Hoosier Road while the contractor is installing fencing along I-69.
CYNTHEANNE ROAD
There will be periodic lane restrictions on Cyntheanne Road between 136th Street and Southeastern Parkway until the end of March, weather permitting, to allow for the installation of a guardrail.
NORTH STREET
Beginning Feb. 27 until April 30, North Street will be periodically restricted between Lantern Road and Municipal Drive as crews deliver building materials. During this time, several parking stalls will be unavailable on the south side of North Street, west of Maple Street. Flaggers will be onsite to help direct traffic while materials are being delivered.
DUKE ENERGY MAINTENANCE
Duke Energy will be in various locations throughout the City performing routine pole maintenance. Flaggers will be onsite directing traffic where necessary.
HAND’s plans to build 56 affordable
apartments on the former site of the
Noblesville grain elevator hit a snag
Thursday when the Indiana Housing &
Community Development Authority
declined to award the project highly-soughtafter
Low Income Housing Tax Credits to
fund construction. Continue reading HAND Loses For Now, Maybe Later→
Jason Sloderbeck, a 23 year veteran of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and current jail commander, is announcing his candidacy for the 2018 Hamilton County Sheriff race.
With over 23 years of local law enforcement experience, Sloderbeck has an in-depth understanding of the issues facing the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. “I am pleased and honored to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Hamilton County. During my 23 years in the Sheriff’s Office, I have worked in almost every capacity there is within the agency. I have dealt with the issues first-hand, gaining valuable experience and a thorough understanding of the complexities, capabilities, and limitations of the entire office. I will use my background and hands-on experience to strive for a more efficient and effective office, where every decision affecting our law enforcement is based solely on the safety, security, and financial well-being of the community.”
While Hamilton County is unique in many ways, the major issues facing law enforcement and our community are not much different than other counties around the country. “As sheriff of Hamilton County, I will be committed to raising the standards and expectations of the office, and the agency as a whole. My top priorities are, and will continue to be: the drug addiction problems that are not only affecting our community, but many communities across our nation, the closely related mental health problems that all communities are facing right now, and to constantly be a provider of information and support to our community in order to combat domestic violence and abuse.”
Jason is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County; a graduate of Noblesville High School, Vincennes University, IMPD Leadership Academy, and Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Jason lives in Arcadia with Michelle, his wife of almost 20 years, their 17-year-old daughter Claire, 23-year-old stepdaughter Alyssa, and his 4-year-old German Shepherd, Maddox. His stepson Allen is married and recently had Jason’s first grandson, Dawson.
