Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
The Westfield City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a land-use plan for proposed $1.2 billion development east of Grand Park Sports Campus that would be centered on space and science education.
By a 7-0 vote, the council gave the go-ahead to the 66-acre Grand Universe Planned Unit Development, between 186th and 191st streets, which would feature four districts and science, technology, engineering and math-related installations involving rockets, rocket boosters, engines and outer space.
The Grand Universe project is led by Arden Johnson, CEO of Grand Universe Development Partners LLC, and Greg McCauley, CEO of Grand Universe and a partner with Grand Universe Development Partners. From 2012 to 2018, McCauley operated the Link Observatory Space Science Institute near Martinsville.
Johnson told council members in November that the first two phases of development would include construction of the 170,000-square-foot Grand Universe Center for Science and Space Exploration, which would include a full-dome planetarium, and a hotel. The second phase of construction would include a sports-focused district and a commercial and mixed-use development with multifamily housing.
Johnson said both phases would cost about $600 million each.
There would be four districts within Grand Universe.
On the southern end of the campus near the intersection of East 186th Street and Wheeler Drive, the Grand Universe District would feature the Johnson Hagerman Center for Science and Space Exploration and a STEM pavilion with events and amenities. The center would also have parking and student and group drop-off and pickup areas.
Plans call for the Resort District, north of the Grand Universe District and along the Monon Trail, to feature a hotel to provide lodging for visitors.
The Sports Entertainment District on the northwest side of the site near the intersection of East 191st Street and the Monon Trail would include sports and arts and entertainment facilities with outdoor plazas and dining. It would also feature an area called Creek Park with natural elements and plantings in open spaces with a mix of trails, pathways, sidewalks, respite areas and connections to the Monon.
The Town Center District, east of the Sports Entertainment District, would have commercial and mixed-use buildings with retail, office and high-density multifamily housing.
Indianapolis-based Browning Day is the architect for the project, while Fishers-based The Hagerman Group is the general contractor.
The Westfield Advisory Plan Commission held meetings to discuss the Grand Universe PUD on Dec. 2, Jan. 9 and Jan. 21. The commission voted 6-0 to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council in early February.
Among the changes made to the proposal were to modify the maximum building height from 150 feet to 180 feet in the Grand Universe District, from no maximum to 150 feet in the Resort District, from no maximum to 100 feet in the Sports & Entertainment District and from six stories to 80 feet in the Town Center District.
Ten days after the Grand Universe PUD was introduced to the Westfield City Council on Nov. 11, the chief operating officer of Grand Universe filed suit against McCauley, alleging the nonprofit Grand Universe Space Science Institute Inc. has failed to pay him more than $2 million since he began working for the organization in 2015. The case remains active in Marion Superior Court.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.
An unresolved lawsuit for a project of this scale is a concern. Wish the city would have demanded that it be resolved before moving ahead.
lots of red flags in general with this project. Where is the money for this? watch out taxpayers and potential investors.
This is terrible idea, doesn’t fit in the neighborhood and likely will never see completion given the amount of money required. Why would city council approve this?
Not surprised, given half of the board members for Grand Universe have ties to Westfield government organizations.
I seem to recall when people said Grand Park would never be built. Would never be succesful. No one would come to Westfield…too far from Indy.
So pretty much every weekend now, that place is full of all ages of people. Mostly there for athletics. But now, may be, people there to learn about space, and a STEM program. Because STEM is something this nation, and particularly Indiana, really need. And if one student can get STEM while their sibling plays sports nearby, then way to go for mom and dad…and for all of us.
I agree 💯 % with your statement completely. This is one of many faults I have with some older Hoosiers. They only see things through their limited and bias lens. This is 2025 and Westfield apart of Hamilton county which growing and developing all over but not as much in Westfield. Each city has its unique draw and this project would be a very unique aspect specifically for Westfield
Has there every been any proof of ability to obtain financing provided?