Noblesville announces 10 capital improvement projects

Noblesville city leaders Wednesday morning unveiled a list of projects the city will undertake in the next six years that deal with infrastructure, economic development, public safety and improving the downtown.

The city’s capital improvement plan for 2018-2023, called Noblesville Now, identifies 10 big projects the city will start between now and 2023. Funding the projects will be a priority for the Noblesville City Council, said council president Chris Jensen.

The projects, which will have citywide impact, will relieve traffic congestion, improve connectivity via roads and trails, introduce apartments to downtown and address the city’s police department’s need for a new building.

Road improvements are planned for Olio Road and Pleasant Street, a downtown parking garage will be constructed, and the city’s police officers will finally get a new headquarters after years of dealing with crammed quarters.

The city is currently researching costs and developing a finance plan for the project. Costs are not yet known, but the city has several options for financing the projects, including federal and state funding, tax increment financing funding, bonds and cash on hand.

The last time the city undertook a major capital funding effort was in March 2016 when the city council approved a list of capital projects that have since been completed, including the Little Chicago Road Trail, the first phase of the Midland Trace Trail, and initial designs, environmental and economic development study of Pleasant Street.  

Projects included in the Noblesville Now plan:

— Developing downtown by forming public-private partnerships to create new mixed-use developments with multifamily residential, commercial and structured parking in and near the downtown. Work on those projects is expected to take place during this year and next, and city planner Sarah Reed anticipates having new downtown housing options in the next year or two.

— Widening the Logan Street pedestrian bridge over the White River to improve pedestrian access. City leaders anticipate a 2018-2019 timeline for the project.

— Completing the third phase of the Midland Trace Trail by expanding it from Willowview Road to Hague Road in 2018 and 2019.

— Building a new police headquarters between now and 2020. The city has long needed a larger police station. City officials are still in negotiations with Bridgestone Americas Inc. to acquire a property commonly known as the Firestone site on the south side of Division Street near 18^th Street. Mayor John Ditslear said negotiations are ongoing, but he expects them the be successful.

— Improving Olio Road from 141^st Street to north of 146^th Street with four lanes, improved drainage and a roundabout at 146^th Street. Ditslear said the city owns property at 141^st Street and Olio Road that could be developed with the improvements planned for the area. The project is planned for 2019-2020.

— Beginning Pleasant Street improvements in 2019 by starting various intersection improvements to make the corridor easier to navigate and ease congestion. Projects will likely be ongoing through 2023.

— Replacing street lights along 146^th Street with new, energy-efficient models. The work is planned for 2019 between State Road 37 and Interstate 69.

— Constructing new roundabouts, including one at Logan and Nixon streets near Federal Hill Commons. Work is planned for 2021.

— Building a pedestrian trail and improving drainage along 10^th Street from Wellington Northeast to Greenfield Avenue. This project is planned for 2022.

— Constructing a pedestrian bridge over Morse Lake alongside Little Chicago Road in 2023.