By Holly Kline
Fishers continues to grow as two downtown development projects are set to happen. Ossip Optometry is locating to the Crosspoint area and will eventually create 58 new jobs, and a mixed-use project is planned for the former KFC building on 116th Street. Recreation opportunities continue to expand, too, as Fishers will construct a community building at Saxony beach.
According to the Fishers Town Council, Ossip will move its headquarters to 9795 Crosspoint Business Park and renovate property at 7684 Crosspoint Commons into an optometry center that will serve as the company’s flagship store.
“It’s terrific for Fishers to get an active tenant that brings jobs, and we’re very excited about that,” said Fishers Town Council Vice President Pete Peterson.
The second planned project involves the development of a mixed-use office building in the area of 116th Street and Lantern Road. According to Peterson, Community Health will lease a portion of the building and the developer is hoping to secure a “white linen” restaurant tenant.
“We’re always hoping to get more restaurants in Fishers; citizens are always looking for some variety of restaurants,” Peterson said.
Also planned for the site is a parking garage the public will be able to use for nighttime Nickel Plate Amphitheater events and other downtown Fishers entertainment and dining opportunities.
The Town of Fishers will assume responsibility for managing the Saxony Beach area, which is located at Pennington Road in the Saxony development off Olio Road. Peterson said the arrangement is beneficial because it involves managing parks, which is one of the things Fishers does best. Plans are in the works to construct a community building called Saxony Hall on the site.
“We are excited to work with the Town of Fishers in building Saxony Hall,” said Richard Arnos, President of Republic Development, Saxony’s real estate developer. “Creating new opportunities in partnership with Fishers will benefit those who live in and around Saxony and the entire town.”
There is no doubt that Fishers continues to grow its downtown and attract new businesses, as well as striving to expand its parks and recreation offerings. “And there is more to come; it is an exciting time to be in Fishers,” Peterson said.
