It was about one month ago, in a podcast interview, when I asked Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness about what may be going into the former Fry’s Electronics building just north of 96th Street, along I-69.  It was yet another “big box” chain that went out of business nationally.

Let’s say the mayor was concerned about what type of tenant might be leasing that structure.

“There’s a lot of interest in the (Fry’s) building and that’s got me concerned about finding the right use that sets the tone,” the mayor said.  “That’s the gateway to Fishers, so what kind of use makes sense in that building is important.”

The mayor added he will be “having conversations” with the city council about the issue.  That conversation, and action, began at the Monday night council session.

Council members began a process, at the request of Mayor Fadness, to enact a change in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requiring more scrutiny and review of tenant changes in these “big box” vacant spaces.  This new standard would give City Council the authority to approve and add conditions to changes in tenants, providing the  city with criteria for reviewing these tenant changes.  This would impact structures  with a floor area of 25,000 square feet or greater, but would not apply to facilities with medical, office, and industrial/manufacturing use.

The proposal received first reading Monday night, where only one vote is required to move forward.  The Fishers Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on July 7, vote a recommendation, then the City Council will take a final vote on the measure July 19.

You can read the entire text of the proposed text amendment to the UDO at this link.