There has been much publicity on the development plans for what is described as the “Allisonville Road Corridor,” spanning north from 106th Street up to 126th. The City of Fishers revealed more on the results of the 96-page study Monday.
The city confirmed an Indianapolis Star report that Kroger will relocate from the west side of Allisonville Road near the 116th Street intersection to build a new, expanded store on the east side of Allisonville Road. According to a City of Fishers news release, this plan includes road and walkability improvements, a boost in greenspace, and encouragement for new development along the corridor. The Kroger move and expansion is part of that plan.
The Steering Committee that oversaw the study consisted of:
- Corby Thompson, Co-Chair
- Joe Eaton, Co-Chair
- Selina Stoller, Fishers City Council
- David Giffel, Fishers City Council
- Ed Sahm, Sahms Restaurants
- Kelly Marburger Novak, EF Marburger Fine Flooring
- Pat Sullivan, Allisonville Home & Garden by Sullivan
- Mike Colby, River Glen Neighborhood Representative
- Brad Rochford, River Highlands Neighborhood Representative
- Jim Trueblood, Trueblood Real Estate
- Drew Bender, VS Engineering
- Allen Bourff, Retired Superintendent at HSE
- Stephanie Perry, Resident
- Marissa Deckert, Resident
“The community was really involved in every aspect of the Steering Committee’s work,” said Joe Eaton, co-chair of the Allisonville Road Steering Committee, Allisonville Road resident, and partner at Barnes & Thornburg. “We hosted a community workshop, focus groups, and an online survey where over 1,500 residents provided feedback and input about what they wanted to see, both in the short-term and long-term, with the corridor.”
More green space in the area is called for in this plan, along with better parking and walkability. The city also plans to replace the current traffic signals at 116th & Allisonville Road with a roundabout in 2024 or 2025.
“The transformation of Allisonville Road is a long-range project that will take some years to complete, but we have significant things happening in the early chapters of that transformation—road improvements, a new park on the southern end, and several economic development projects,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in the city news release. “All of these are catalysts to jump start the transformation of the entire corridor.”
The new 120,000 square foot Kroger store on the east side of Allisonville Road will include features such as an expanded food assortment, expanded Kroger Pickup, wider aisles, Starbucks, and popcorn made in the store. Kroger and the City of Fishers will hold a public meeting about the project in the coming months.
“Over the years, Fishers has become a destination in a way its founders never could have imagined. Our location is a gateway to this vibrant community, and we’re excited to commit the new investment as another ingredient in the energy and entrepreneurial spirit of the city.”
Other priorities in the area include boosting greenspace and enhancing the streetscape to achieve vibrancy and improved care for the corridor. The City is in the early stages of these improvements, but new median designs and beautification efforts by the Department of Public Works are already improving the vibrancy of this area.
John Tuohy of the Indianapolis Star posted a story on the newspaper’s Web site Monday with more details on Kroger’s plans. Read his story at this link.