by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County is likely to have a new court soon, assuming the state legislature approves. It will be Superior Court 7, the judge of which will be appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb.

The increasing case load is the reason given for the county’s request for the additional court. Hamilton County currently has a Circuit Court and six superior courts. There is space in the Judicial Center for one more court.

County Commissioners and County Council members discussed the pending court’s needs in a joint session Tuesday.

The court was one item on a list of upcoming projects reviewed by the officials.

At the top of the list was the State Road 37 reconstruction designed to create a freeway without grade level intersections from Noblesville to Interstate 69. Costs for the major project are increasing. Late last year, the county was told another $40 million will be needed and further increases are likely.

The earlier announced county parking garage was also considered. Originally estimated to cost about $9.5 million, county officials now believe it may be wise to increase the structure to five levels to allow for anticipated future needs.

The garage, planned on the northside of Noblesville’s Clinton Street between 8th and 9th streets, will take the place of a current ground-level lot on Conner Street on the eastside of the White River. A private development is planned on that three-acre site.

Other projects getting attention at the meeting include converting the current Humane Society building on Pleasant Street to offices for the Soil and Water Conservation District and county Weights and Measures.

The Humane Society is in the process of building a new facility on Hague Road in Fishers.

The long-discussed White River bridge at Pleasant Street, a vital link in the planned bypass of downtown Noblesville, was considered at the joint session. The county is responsible for major bridges anywhere in the county, while the city will build the bypass to the bridge.

A center for victims of domestic violence has also been requested. There is presently no shelter for such victims within the county.

Officials are also considering acquisition of a 106-acre parcel for park development in Washington Township and will be undertaking intersection improvements at 146th and Allisonville, likely involving a roundabout at the heavily-traveled crossing.

All proposed projects were referred to the council’s finance committee for consideration. While the county has considerable resources on hand, the listed projects cannot likely all be financed at one time without other sources of revenue or staged as annual revenues are collected.