The City of Fishers issued another reminder about what is to come soon on 141st Street at State Road 37. Beginning soon, although a specific date in January has not been provided, motorists will no longer be allowed to cross State Road 37 at 141st. 141st Street will be a right-in right-out only configureation at that location.
Below is the latest city missive, issued Friday:
A pre-construction phase at SR 37 & 141st Street will begin in January. During this phase, 141st Street will be transitioned to a Right-In-Right-Out (RIRO) traffic configuration. This is not the permanent configuration. This will allow for traffic to flow more freely along SR 37 until the next phases of construction can be activated. This will eliminate all backups along SR 37 that have caused dangerous stops to the free flow traffic and backups on the 146th Street interchange. Again, this is not the permanent configuration for 141st Street. The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Fall of 2023. View detour routes here.
As 2022 draws to a close, it is once again time for me to list the top 15 Fishers news stories of the year. As I write every year, this is my list and my list alone. Most news organizations have endless, stormy meetings about a list like this. Since I write this blog alone, the list is mine alone.
I do not present myself as the expert on this and realize many of you will disagree with some of what I listed and what is not included here, and that is fine. Something like this normally provokes discussion and, yes, sometimes, arguments.
So, feel free to react in any way you wish, but here we go, my top 15 Fishers news stories for 2022:
15. Geist Waterfront Park unveiled The city completed this new park on Geist Reservoir just in time for winter. So, the Parks & Recreation Department allowed people to walk around the new facility, even if the weather may not be the best. So, on a cold, windy November Saturday, more than 500 people braved the conditions to have a look at the latest local park. The ribbon-cutting for Geist Waterfront Park is expected in March of 2023.
14. John Wechsler moves on John Wechsler founded Launch Fishers, a very successful co-working space. John has moved on from day-to-day work at Launch to join a startup firm “spokenote,” a company that adds a video touch to almost any product. Mayor Scott Fadness awarded the Key to the City to Wechsler during 2022.
13. HSE Schools lose case at Indiana Supreme Court Fishers High School Varsity Football Coach Rick Wimmer was suspended more than 6 years ago, and Television Station WTHR’s investigative unit in the news department took HSE Schools to court when the TV station did not believe it received a response consistent with law, revealing the factual basis for Mr. Wimmer’s suspension. The Indiana Supreme Court Justices ruled unanimously that the HSE Schools must disclose more facts about that suspension.
12. Verizon 5G towers Fishers was chosen to be one of the first communities in the state to begin the move toward very fast 5G wireless Internet connections through towers placed in neighborhoods. As the requests were filed with the city, most were approved but some were not if the placement would, for example, ruin a homeowner’s view out a large window. Many neighborhoods and individual residents complained about the placement of many 5G towers, but state & federal law limited the city’s ability to deny a tower request. In April, Verizon stopped filing requests for 5G towers in Fishers with no explanation.
11. Fishers Marching Tiger Band going to the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade It was a big day for the Fishers High School marching band when it was announced the Tigers would participate in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
10. State Road 37 construction progress Interchanges along State Road 37 at 131st & 146th Streets were opened in 2022, which was a relief to local motorists. However, there is one point along that highway in Fishers yet to be completed. High inflation, supply chain issues and a worker shortage led to bids for the roundabout on 141st Street to be far above any estimate. City officials described the bids as “not serious.” With underpasses at State Road 37 at 126th, 131st & 146th Streets, drivers were not expecting the stop light at 141st Street, leading to a number of accidents in that area. Fishers plans to convert 141st Street to a right-in right-out as an a “interim” measure. A new round of bidding is expected for the 141st Street interchange roundabout in August of 2023.
9. City Council approves Food & Beverage Tax Fishers plans to construct an Events Center (see #4) and to make the financing package work, Mayor Scott Fadness proposed a Food & Beverage Tax to partially handle the bond payments on the new facility. All municipalities around Fishers already charge this 1% tax on restaurant meals. The City Council enacted the tax in 2022.
8. Nickel Plate Trail tunnel opens underneath 116th Street One major component of opening the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers was how to handle 116th Street, one of the busiest roadways in the city. Fishers completed construction of the tunnel allowing those using the trail to travel underneath 116th Street. The trail has been a busy place ever since.
7. $98 million development northwest of 96th Street & Allisonville Road Big changes are coming to that area. A roundabout will replace the “Michigan Left” at 96th Street an Allisonville Road. A new city park and a large commercial development area are planned along the White River in that far south part of Fishers. The commercial development is expected to total about $98 million.
6. Police officer Noah Shahnavaz dies in the line of duty Officer Shahnavaz was a Fishers High School graduate and was serving as a police officer in Elwood when he was shot and killed in the line of duty. The suspect in his murder was stopped and arrested in Fishers.
5. Fishers kicks off Sesquicentennial celebration Fishers began as a community when a man named Salathial Fisher began developing the area 150 years ago. 2022 started the celebration and it will continue into 2023.
4. Fishers announces over $1 billion in new developments Although the work had been months in the making, the City of Fishers announced a list of developments totaling more than $1 billion. This includes an expansion of the Fishers District development by Thompson Thrift, a new Events Center next door to be constructed by the city, a major expansion for the Italian the life-science firm Stevanato, and a new headquarters for Andretti Motorsports at the airport next to Ritchey Woods. In addition, during 2022, the city announced a new condo development on 116th Street next to the Nickel Plate Trail, with some units priced at $1 million.
3.Fishers announced a new City Hall with a major Arts Center IN 2022, Fishers announced a complex to be constructed as a major Arts Center and a new City Hall wrapped into one new structure. The old City Hall was demolished and ground was broken for the new facility. The new Arts Center/City Hall is projected to be finished in the spring of 2024.
2.COVID The novel coronavirus has been with us for more than 2 years. As 2022 began, COVID was continuing to spread with more mutations. As the year continued, the vaccine was improved to include the latest variant and treatments also became more effective. COVID is still around, but less a part of our lives as 2022 draws to a close.
And, now the Number 1 news story for 2022 was..
The November Election Many will argue – why choose this as the biggest story of the year? Locally, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District is a key component in the fabric of the local community. The 4 new school board members elected in 2022 will consist of the majority on the 7-member board. This is an election that will have a major impact on our local school corporation for the next four years. For that reason, I have chosen the school board election as the number one story of 2022.
So, there you have it. My top 15 Fishers news stories for 2022. Plenty of news stories could not be included just because I had to limit the list to 15. And, if you do not agree with this listing, either what’s on the list or the order in which they are listed, feel free to comment.
2023 will be a very busy year, with the new majority on the school board and all the projects under construction in 2023, it will be worth keeping an eye on the local news scene. And, health permitting, I will be there to cover it.
The City of Fishers is taking over the Geist Half Marathon with a new fall date in 2023, Saturday, September 16. The city is partnering with Geist Half Marathon to stage the 5K and half-marathon event.
“I’m incredibly excited to continue the tradition of Geist Half Marathon for the community,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in a city news release. “This is an opportunity to reimagine the race with participants and the community first and foremost. We’re grateful for the service of the Geist Half Marathon board members all these years as we embark on the next chapter of this tradition to build a stronger culture of health in Fishers.”
The 2023 Geist Half Marathon will feature 13.1-mile and 5-kilometer races, with optional VIP registration and volunteer opportunities. Special, limited-time registration offers of $49.99 for the half marathon and $29.99 for the 5K are available through January 4, 2023. Participants may register at geisthalf.com.
In 2008, a group of Geist Reservoir residents created the Geist Half Marathon to share their passion for health, wellness, and community building. The Half Marathon is unique in its topography, scenery, and community support along the course. Geist Half Marathon board members have now transitioned operations and management of the race to the City of Fishers. In partnership with Vision Event Management.
Fishers is wasting no time in starting the purchase of audio-visual equipment and related technology for the new Arts Center/City Hall now under construction. Director of Information Technology for the city of Fishers, Tracy Gaynor, told the Board of Public Works and Safety that he is recommending moving “sooner than anticipated” in order to provide cost savings to the city of an estimated $124,000.
A Fishers-based vendor, Ultimate Technology Group (UTG), removed the information technology equipment from old City Hall before its demolition, without charging the city, and plans on including some or all of that equipment in plans for the new structure. According to Gaynor, UTG is providing a number of discounts to the city for its services. Also, suppliers are planning a 10% increase in pricing in 2023, allowing the city savings by initiating the purchase before the end of 2022. Total cost of this equipment is $889,157.39.
Mayor Scott Fadness thanked Gaynor for his work on this part of the Arts Center/City Hall project, as the board voted to go ahead with the recommended action. “Any savings we can get is good,” the mayor said.
In other items also approved at the Tuesday Board of Works session:
–A land acquisition was approved, a step toward constructing the new Events Center near the expanding Fishers District. Fadness says the financing for this project is moving forward with $90 million deposited into city accounts for the Events Center Wednesday of last week.
–The city is renewing an insurance contract through MJ Insurance. The total premium is just under $1.1 million. This includes an increase of $92,000 from the prior year. The city says the Increase is predominately due to market increases for cyber insurance and police professional insurance, along with increased property insurance due to increased property values.
–The board approved an Engineering Department recommendation on amending the traffic schedule. The changes can be viewed at this link.
–The board certified the election of Warren Henderson and Jim White to the Police Merit Commission, both elected by active members of the Fishers Police Department.
–Mayor Fadness thanked his two appointees to the Board of Works, Jeff Lantz & Jason Meyer, for serving in this unpaid position the past year, a very busy one for the city.
Allow me to wish a Merry Christmas and a peaceful holiday season to my friends, family and readers of this blog.
Here is a shout-out to all those required to work over the Christmas holiday. In my first radio broadcasting job, I was required to work the Christmas morning shift. I received one phone call after another thanking me for giving up my Christmas morning so the station could broadcast Christmas music. So, allow me to return the favor and thank all those working on this Christmas holiday.
I did something a little different this year. I drove around Fishers looking for home Christmas light displays. I video recorded some of them, edited it together to the sound of Swan Lake. The video is only about 3 minutes long, but I hope you enjoy it!
First, my thanks to all my podcast guests from the past year. More and more people are listening to my podcasts. I selected 10 podcasts from 2022 for this look back, with some audio sound bites from those podcasts. So, here it is, at the link below.
The National Weather Service has extended the Winter Storm Warning to 7am Saturday.
Below is the updated Warning, from NWS:
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WHAT...Dangerous Cold. Strong and gusty winds resulting in
blowing and drifting snow. Light snow at times.
* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central and
west central Indiana.
* WHEN...Until 7 AM EST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing
snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous
conditions could impact the evening commute. Gusty winds could
bring down tree branches. The cold wind chills as low as 30
below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little
as 30 minutes.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Dangerously cold wind chill of -25 to -35
will be common tonight. Wind gusts will peak up to 45 mph.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.
The Winter Storm Warning for Hamilton County remains in effect until 7pm Friday. Hamilton County Emergency Management issued the following statement at 10:50am:
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1. The Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center is staffed to assist municipalities with issues.
2. Street Departments are reporting salt is not very effective, given the cold temperatures.
3. Road conditions are fair but remain slick due to extreme cold
4. There were 113 customers without power at 10:50 a.m.
5. Power companies have been quick to restore power.
6. There are reports of frozen pipes due to the extreme cold.
The snow totals are below what was forecast but we did get enough snow in the Fishers area to keep ice on the roadways with air temperatures below zero and wind chill factors in the 30-below-zero-degree range.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness did a live interview with WISH-TV early Friday morning and provided an update on conditions around the city.
“When the temperatures are so cold, salt really doesn’t work all that well.” Fadness told WISH-TV. “It takes a lot longer. It’s not all that effective. So, throughout the day, it’s not going to be as easy to peel up that snow…but we’ll stay at it and try to make those roads as safe and passable as possible moving forward.”
The mayor provides the following advice to Fishers residents – “If you don’t have to be outside, don’t go outside.” If you are stranded or end up off the road, local crews and police officers must take risks to provide assistance.
The National Weather Service says a Winter Storm Warning remains in place for Fishers and a large chunk of Indiana until 7pm. NWS says blowing and drifting snow will continue throughout the day, but the biggest danger comes from the very cold temperatures and wind. It takes as little as 10 minutes for exposed skin to develop frostbite in these conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
You can watch the WISH-TV interview with Scott Fadness on their Facebook page at this link.
With winter weather all around us, it is hard to imagine March is just a few months away, and the Fisher Arts Council is partnering with Conner Prairie and the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability for a a special call for artists. These events will feature small performing arts groups that invite individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities to show off their talent at Conner Prairie and at FAC’s Collaboration Hub Gallery. All three partners, in sponsoring these shows, describe this as a way to demonstrate the importance of all artists as the community celebrates “Building Our Future Together” during 2023 March Disability Awareness Month in the City of Fishers.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
Performing Artists interested in participating must submit a request by 3 pm January 13, 2023, to info@fishersartscouncil.org indicating their desire to participate. All submissions should include in the Subject Line: March Disability Awareness Month and include the following
● Artist/performance group name
● City of residence
● Phone number
● Email address
● One or two sentences regarding their performance art area (for example: poetry reading, vocal, instrument performance, etc.)
● How much space is needed for the performance art
● A video link or social media link showcasing your talent (if available)
ELIGIBILITY
PERFORMING ARTISTS MUST
● Have one or more members who have a disability
● Be a performance artist
● Be able to appear at the Conner Prairie Arts Reception (March 3, 2023) or at the FAC Collaboration Hub Gallery Second Friday Arts Reception (March 10, 2023)
