When the City of Fishers announced its plans to pursue a park on the waterfront of Geist Reservoir Tuesday, there was one sentence in the city’s news release that caught my eye.  As a mostly retired tax professional that does teach a continuing professional education class aimed at tax pros for Indiana University once a year, I noticed a tax angle to the situation.

The release discusses the offer made by the city to the  two owners, Irving Materials, Inc. and Marina Limited Partnership, to buy the land making way for the proposed park.  Then the release states the following:

“Condemnation of the land is possible if an agreement cannot be reached, considering the public usage.”

If a city publicly threatens to condemn land for public use, Section 1033 of the Internal Revenue Code kicks-in.  I won’t get tax wonkish about this.  Let’s just say that the sellers can postpone paying tax on the gain realized on the sale of the property, if sold under threat of condemnation.  The city doesn’t have to actually condemn the land, the mere public threat to do so means the owners can avoid paying tax on this sale, at least for now.

Technically, it is a “postponement” of paying tax on the gain.  But if, for example, Irving Materials buys another limestone quarry (there must be “like kind” replacement property purchased within a prescribed period of time to avoid the IRS for now) the tax benefit could be theirs.

The owners of this property have made no public comment on negotiations with the city to sell the land.  Now that the city news release has publicly stated the condemnation option, and the tax “postponement” under Section 1033 is possible, perhaps that will speed up the bargaining over the property sale.

We will see.

There are some things we do know and some things we don’t know about the new elementary school to be constructed in the Hamilton Southeastern School District.  We know it will hold about 700 students, will house grades kindergarten through 4th, it will be located along Cyntheanne Road near HSE Intermediate / Junior High –  and the budget will be $22 million.

But there is a lot we do not know.  For example, the new school still has no name.  Before the CSO Architectural firm gets down to work on the precise design, a process of listening is going on.  Tuesday morning, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board held a work session with Amy Yurko, an architect with Brain Spaces in Chicago, who specializes in school designs.

Yurko shared with the board some of the suggestions she has heard from school staff members about the design of the new structure.  On major issue was how much size the kindergarten and other grade classrooms should be allocated.

One concept discussed was Inquiry Based Learning, which requires more open spaces and open windows.

One question that is unknown is the future of standardized testing in the state of Indiana.   Will the new school need a compute lab with securely wired stations to allow for secure testing?  No one knows, but there could be flex space built into the design to handle that, if needed.

There was discussion of whether the school should be built as a one-story structure or with two-stories.  Pluses and minuses of each option were discussed, but no decision was made.

The architects will be getting input from others before getting down to business and putting together the details of the new elementary school.

“The location of this building is in the epicenter of growth in our district, and will be the epicenter for quite a few years,” said Assistant Superintendent Mike Beresford.

At roughly 7:40 this morning, the City of Fishers issued a news release announcing plans for a new park on Geist Lake.  I am not sure why the city even bothered, since all the details were laid-out in a front page Indianapolis Star story in the Monday morning edition, which you can read at this link.

But, if you are interested in the city’s information in their news release, you can read it below.

==============================

Mayor Scott Fadness announced plans today to invest in a 70-acre waterfront park at Geist Reservoir. The park will be developed at the last-remaining undeveloped parcel of the 1,900 acre reservoir, located approximately at 111th Street on the east side of Olio Road.

“The Geist area is one of Fishers’ most distinct assets and this park sets forth a momentum for the long term sustainability of Geist Reservoir, its residents, and our community at large,” said Mayor Scott Fadness. “In conversations with multiple residents and stakeholders, I’ve heard time and time again the argument that the long term vibrancy of Geist is a concern. Part of that involves environmental, boat traffic, and new development. My hope is that this park development helps to mitigate those concerns for residents and turn Geist into a distinct asset for all of Fishers.”

Conceptual designs of the park, to be named at a later date, show the possibilities of the park development: amphitheater, fishing dock, public beach, kayak, boardwalk, natural playscapes, and opportunities for adventure races, triathlons, paddle boarding, and more. Fishers residents will have the opportunity to be involved in the final design of the park. No motorized boat launch will be permitted in the park area.

“To have a major natural asset like we do with Geist Reservoir is a great opportunity to encourage residents to enjoy nature a little more and unplug,” said Fishers Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot. “By adding public access to Geist, our entire community can enjoy this wonderful natural setting and I look forward to working with the community as designs for this park start to come together. At nearly double Roy G. Holland Memorial Park, the possibilities are endless.”

The land is made up of three separate parcels, held by two owners: Irving Materials, Inc. and Marina Limited Partnership. The City of Fishers submitted an offer to the owners to purchase the land outright. Negotiations are confidential until final. Condemnation of the land is possible if an agreement cannot be reached, considering the public usage. Acquisition of the land will take several months, with final design process beginning late 2017 or early 2018.

Irving Materials Inc. (IMI) currently operates a quarry on these parcels with anticipated operations ending Summer 2018. A Planned Unit Development (PUD) was passed years ago that would allow more development with intent to add just over 100 homes.

“I hear from residents all the time that increasing boat traffic on Geist is the fastest way to reduce the recreational experience out there,” said City Councilor Pete Peterson. “This is a real opportunity to utilize Fall Creek and connect the reservoir in a natural way to some of the most beautiful areas of our city. This is a win-win situation for Geist residents. By creating this natural recreation area and reducing new development, it will ultimately lessen the added boat traffic that comes with more homes and docks.”

Residents may direct questions or concerns to Dan Domsic at domsicd@fishers.in.us. More info can be found at www.fishers.in.us/GeistWaterfrontPark.

I have attended Memorial Day ceremonies in Fishers for the last few years, and the 2017  event drew the largest crowd ever to Liberty Plaza.  The weather was picture-perfect, allowing local residents to honor those losing their lives in service to their country.  It was also an opportunity to honor the families of America’s war dead.

The ceremony drew a number of dignitaries, including Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Senator Todd Young .

Senator Young told the story of a bracelet he wears in honor of a fallen soldier from Indiana.  Mayor Fadness described the city’s program to handle lawn care and snow removal for families with service members overseas.

El Ahlwardt handled the duties as Master of Ceremonies.  Pastor Gary Stump provided the invocation.  91-year old veteran Wayne Caldwell led the crowd in song.

Brandon Wilcher shared the story of his father, a disabled veteran.  Bandon is now preparing to enter medical school.

You can listen to the entire ceremony at this link, and you will find more pictures below.

Jared Council writes about tech issues for the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ), and when he began a story about the Internet of Things (iot) and how Indiana is working to become a hub of this emerging high-tech industry, he features Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in the lead of his story, in the latest edition of the IBJ.

Council writes about how Mayor Fadness began to learn how few jobs are now being created in new manufacturing operations and how the iot concept is moving forward quickly.

“The consumers of IoT services are all right here—Cummins, Lilly, Roche, Allison, Wabash,” Fadness told IBJ, rattling off a list of Indiana’s biggest private-sector employers. “So that’s the opportunity.”

You can read Jared Council’s entire story at this link.  (NOTE:  if you are not an IBJ subscriber, you may be limited in the number of times you can access IBJ stories online)

Hamilton County Councilman Jeff Hern pleaded guilty to a charge of Criminal Mischief Wednesday, according to a story written by Chris Sikich of the Indianapolis Star, which you can read at this link.  This was part of  a plea agreement reached between Hern’s atttorney and special prosecutor Brian Eaton.    Now, Chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, Joe Weingarten, is calling for Hern to resign from his council seat.

“The holding of public office brings with it public trust and by his (Hern’s) action he has shown a lack of ethical behavior and has lost the public’s trust,” Weingarten said in a statement printed in the Hamilton County Reporter newspaper.  “While some of these instances have been brought to our attention by the news media and/or the businesses themselves, I can’t help but wonder about what don’t we know about.”

Per the reporting of Sikich, Hern must also pay $891 in restitution and issue a letter of apology to Rick McKinney, whose campaign signs were involved in the incident, just before the 2016 May primary election.

Democrats are not alone in calling for Hern’s resignation.  According to the Star story, Mickinney is calling for Hern to resign his council seat.  If he does not, McKinney is urging state or county Republican officials to remove Hern from the party so he cannot seek re-election in 2020 under the GOP banner.

The City of Fishers has again confirmed that the Brooks School Road Bridge over I-69, just south of 136th Street, will Close May 30th.  The closure is expected to last about 2 months. The suggested detour is Promise Road.

Also, look for more lane restriction along 116th Street at Fishers Station Shopping Center at 116th and Allisonville Road.  On the other end of 116th, east of I-69, lane restrictions will continue.

Below is the full listing of road construction projects in and around Fishers during the week of Memorial Day.

======================================

BROOKS SCHOOL ROAD

Milestone Contractors plans to close the Brooks School Road bridge over Interstate 69 for construction after Memorial Day. The overpass is scheduled to close starting May 30 to rebuild the bridge deck. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to Promise Road via 126th and 136th streets.

116TH STREET

Beginning at 9pm on June 2, 116th Street will be restricted down to one lane in each direction nightly at Fishers Station while a water line is extended across 116th Street. The restrictions will occur from 9pm to 6am each night until work is completed on or around June 9. Arrow boards and signs will be in place directing traffic. Please drive with caution during the day as a steel plate will be in place to cover the excavation site.

There will be lane restrictions on 116th Street between I-69 and Cumberland Road throughout the summer in order for the contractor to make improvements to 116th Street.

106TH STREET

There will be lane restrictions on 106th Street from Eller Road to I-69 the week of May 29 while a contractor locates utilities under the roadway. There will be arrow boards and flaggers in place while work is being performed between 9am and 3pm. There will be lane restrictions on Allisonville Road as well while the contractor works in this intersection.

GEIST ROAD

Geist Road between 106th Street and 111th Street will have possible lane restrictions while contractors perform shoulder work along the west side of Geist Road.

USA PARKWAY

There will be lane restrictions on USA Parkway while crews are resurfacing the roadway.  Flaggers will be in place directing traffic.

106TH AND CUMBERLAND ROAD ROUNDABOUT

There will be possible lane restrictions around the roundabout while the contractor finishes up work.

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 9pm and 6pm 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.

126TH STREET

There will be periodic lane restrictions between 9am and 3pm on 126th Street between Allisonville Road and Lantern Road while the contractor installs passing blisters near Reserve at Lantern. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic during the restrictions.

STATE ROAD 37

Construction contractors plan to shift State Road 37 traffic lanes this weekend for a $1.5 million drainage structure construction project between 146th Street and Greenfield Avenue in Noblesville. Northbound lanes are scheduled to be shifted on Friday night, and southbound lanes are scheduled to be shifted Saturday night. Single-lane closures in each direction will be scheduled between 9pm and 6am.

The first phase of construction, which starts this weekend, will shift two lanes in each direction toward the right shoulders to provide room for construction in the median. The second phase will shift traffic toward the median to allow construction to be completed along the outside shoulders. All work on the project is expected to be complete this summer.

Starting May 1, geotechnical drilling will begin along the State Road 37 corridor as part of the final design phase of State Road 37 Improvement Project. Lane and shoulder restrictions will be active through the June 30.

Motorists will see staked locations along the corridor starting with the 141st Street intersection. The geotechnical drilling will cause lane restrictions from 131st Street through 146th Street through June 30. Southbound restrictions will not begin until 9am daily and northbound restrictions will be done daily before 4pm to allow for maximum traffic flow during peak hours.

State Road 37 turn lanes will not be affected during lane closures and crews will maintain a minimum of one through-lane at all times.

The SR37 improvement project is a $124 Million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton Co, Noblesville, and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed to drivefishers@fishers.in.us.

Leah McGrath makes her second appearance on the LarryInFishers.com podcast

Winning a national championship is wonderful thing for any group of students.  But there is a price to pay.  The school year must end.  The students must move on to the next phase of the educational journey, and the teachers must prepare for a new group of students waiting for them.

The Fishers Junior High School (FJHS) We the People team won a national championship, competing with schools from around the nation on their ability to handle civic issues and questions about the United States Constitution.

In a celebration of that achievement at FJHS Wednesday night, stories were told about how We the People almost didn’t happen there.  The major complexities of changing student schedules and providing support for the program carried an additional burden for counselors, Principal Chrystal Thorpe and the teacher, Mike Fassold.

All that work paid off with a national championship team.  Mike Fassold fought back tears when talking about his students.  It was emotional because he knows this group is moving on as the school year closes.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board held part of its meeting during the ceremony, and passed a resolution honoring the team.   You can read the resolution at this link.

I had the honor of speaking before this class on fake news, and they were all very curious, wanting to know how to find reliable information from the various news sources available today.  I had been a practice judge for the HSE High School We The People team, and had the chance to have some practice sessions with the FJHS team just days before they departed for the nation’s capital.  I could sense this group to be special but didn’t know if they were national champion material.  They took the stage in DC and showed us all how to accept such a high honor with a great deal of humility.

So, it was a special night at FJHS honors these special students and teachers.  This is a group of junior high students I will never forget.

The new restaurant development named The Yard continues to move forward.  Wednesday evening, the Fishers Economic Development Commission and the Town Hall Building Corporation each unanimously gave their stamp of approval to minor changes in the deal with developer Thompson Thrift.  In exchange, the developer is committing to a $40 million investment.