It is time to get to work on a new Fishers City Hall, Arts Center & Recreation Center.  The Board of Public Works & Safety approved two important contracts that will move the process forward.

Both agreements are with local contractors – Meyer-Najem for the new City Hall & Arts Center, and Hagerman for the recreation center.

The city expects to demolish the Old City Hall and construct the new Hall, along with an Arts Center in the same complex.  The location for the Recreation Center has not been determined.

City Attorney Chris Greisl told board members the contractors will provide the city with “a plan refinement process,” including design, construction documents, construction budget, and all the necessary design documents.  Meyer-Najem has until May 1, 2022 to produce all this, and Hagerman’s deadline is May 15, 2022.

Both projects will be handled as Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) agreements under the rules governing public-private partnerships.  In each case, scoping agreement costs will be rolled into the final price for BOT agreement.

Mayor Scott Fadness said board members had a lengthy process reviewing RFP (request for proposals) responses with what the mayor described as  many very good applications.

“We have a long ways to go before we go into any formal agreement,” Fadness said.  “This is a good first step.”