Remember this? 2014 news nuggets from Carmel to Zionsville

Yesterday, I shared my take on some of the biggest 2014 news stories from the northern suburbs, focusing on broad topics like development, transportation and jobs.

Now here’s a rundown of some community-specific highlights:

Carmel

— The beleaguered Carmel Redevelopment Commission hired a new executive director in March following the 2013 resignation of longtime leader Les Olds. Since then, urban planner Corrie Meyer has overseen the sale of the old Shapiro’s Delicatessen building in Carmel City Center and helped negotiate more-favorable project agreements with developers.

— In November, the CRC and contractors involved in construction of the Palladium concert hall agreed to settle the final piece of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit tied to defects found in the structural steep venue’s signature domed roof.
  
— A financing dispute between Carmel-based Brenwick Development Co. and its lenders halted land sales at the resurgent Village of West Clay project and forced the developer to suspend operations. In October, a Hamilton County judge appointed a receiver to manage the undeveloped real estate until a court case can be resolved.

— Mixed-use development reached a fever pitch, with ambitious projects proposed for Carmel Midtown, Old Meridian and Main streets (The District and The Olivia) and the former Sunrise Golf Club, among others. Among the highest-profile projects: Pedcor Cos.' $80 million-plus plan to finish Carmel City Center.

Fishers

— Voters in Fishers’ Republican primary elected the first mayor of the soon-to-be city, tapping appointed Town Manager Scott Fadness for the position. Five other candidates also were vying for the GOP nomination, but Fadness was unopposed in November. Fishers becomes a city Jan. 1, 2015. Residents also chose Fishers’ first nine-member city council, including four incumbents.

— Downtown redevelopment continued to build momentum as Fishers leaders signed off on a $28 million plan to replace the nondescript Fishers Train Station, built in 1996, with a three-story, 33,000-square-foot retail/office building and a four-story, 120-unit apartment building wrapped around a 400-space parking garage. Officials also approved $17.5 million mixed-use building and parking garage planned for the corner of 116th Street at Lantern Drive. The so-called Nickel Plate District has attracted more than $100 million in projects since 2012.

— Preservation advocates successfully relocated a 153-year-old brick house at 106th Street and Kincaid Drive that was slated for demolition in June. Known both as the Flanagan House and the Kincaid House, the 2-story structure moved about a half-mile north, to a USA Parkway parcel donated by student loan giant Navient.

— Drawn by the downtown activity, central Indiana favorites Sun King Brewing Co. and Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream announced plans for Fishers locations. Sun King expects to open a production brewery and tasting room next fall in the Delaware Park commercial subdivision east of I-69. Bub’s burger emporium is planned for the heart of downtown, just west of the Nickel Plate railroad tracks.

Noblesville

— A divided Noblesville Common Council in November approved $6 million in funding for a downtown park/city gateway with an outdoor amphitheater—a project proponents say will spur economic development west of the White River. They OK’d a just-the-basics version of what was once a much more elaborate $10 million project.

— Coveted national outdoors retailer Cabela’s announced in March that it will build an 80,000-square-foot store overlooking I-69 south in Noblesville’s Saxony development—its first location in the Indianapolis area.

Westfield

— The big news in Westfield this year was the debut of its Grand Park Sports Campus, a city-funded economic development play tied to youth sports. The $45 million-plus venue, located along 186th Street west of U.S. 31, opened before construction was complete and still exceeded attendance expectations. In addition to providing more than 400 acres of ball diamonds and multiuse fields, the city struck a deal with private developer Holladay Properties to build a $25 million indoor soccer arena. Westfield agreed to lease the facility and line up rent-paying tenants.

— Other ancillary development  in or near the sports park includes a privately funded $6 million facility for basketball and volleyball, dubbed Grand Park Fieldhouse, and  a $17 million Cambria Suites hotel.

— Outside of Grand Park, city leaders reviewed preliminary plans for a $40 million mixed-use development dubbed The Junction at the high-profile intersection of State Road 32 and U.S. 31. Described as a “life wellness” project, it could include a medical office building, family entertainment center and hotel/meeting space in addition to retail. The city contributed $2.5 million to help Westfield Washington Schools move its football stadium from the site.

— Carrington Mortgage Services said in September that it plans to move into a long-vacant office campus at 19845 U.S. 31 North. The California-based company expects to move its local operations from Fishers to Westfield, retaining 180 jobs and adding 360 more by 2019. (For those of you paying attention, I missed this jobs news yesterday.)

Zionsville

— Zionsville leaders battled with neighbor Whitestown in court over Zionsville’s plans to consolidate government operations with Perry Township in southeast Boone County. Voters approved the reorganization plan in November, about a month after a judge ruled against the merger. Zionsville is appealing the decision.