In 1991, I married Jane and we lived in a nice ranch home just south of 126th Street and east of Allisonville Road. There was plenty of commercial activity in the area around 116th Street and Allisonville Road at that time.
The 1990 census pegged the population of Fishers at right around 7,500 souls. The community was just beginning its massive growth yet to come.
That area around 116th & Allisonville was the center of commercial activity when I moved here in 1991. In recent years, the area still has a bustling commercial buzz, but it has lost some of its luster.
The City of Fishers commissioned a study of the Allisonville Road corridor north of 106th Street. The findings were released in a 96-page report that will be discussed and possibly voted upon by the Fishers City Council Monday night.
That report includes some very interesting developments. John Tuohy of the Indianapolis Star was quick to read the report and found that the Kroger store, north of 116th just west of Allisonville, has notified the city there are plans to move across Allisonville Road to the shopping area located there. Also, the report forecasts a community area to be developed where Kroger is now located.
Many of you may recall that Kroger initially announced a similar plan years ago but pulled back due to market conditions at that time. There was also a plan for the city to use the old Kroger location, where the grocery is currently located, as some sort of community space. So, the current study contains some generally familiar concepts.
The question now is, where does all this go from here? The City Council will be briefed on the study and has a vote accepting the report on the Monday night agenda.
The corridor study began with a great deal of input from homeowners and commercial interests along Allisonville Road. A gathering held months ago asking for input drew a large crowd, so there is a lot of public interest in this issue.
As someone that began living in Fishers in that area, I hope these plans come to fruition. The IndyStar story quotes Mayor Scott Fadness as describing plans in the study as “long term” in nature, but he appears on-board and ready to make this happen.