By Chris Bavender
The Town of Zionsville purchased the site of the former PNC bank building two years ago to ensure part of the lot would be available for nearby street improvements. Now that preliminary engineering work on those projects is complete, the town is getting ready to sell the lot – but not to just anyone.
The town is working with a consultant to ensure that the “right” development goes on the site, according to Town Council President Steve Mundy.
“We have contracted with HWC Engineering to assist the town in facilitating a series of design visualization meetings and associated work in order to … solicit proposals for development,” Mundy said. “This work will utilize the charrette process and include a number of parties that represent varied and key input.”
Those invited to participate include representatives from the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce, Zionsville Economic Development Commission, Zionsville Redevelopment Development Commission, Zionsville Town Council, The Village Resident’s Association and the Zionsville Plan Commission.
Dates for the stakeholder meetings have not been set, but the public will be welcome to attend. The meetings are expected to take place in June and July, with a final presentation made to the Town Council expected in August or September.
While the town isn’t planning to hold on to the land, finding the right buyer is key for many reasons, Mundy said. The site is in an extremely visible location, and its parking lot is home to the Zionsville Farmer’s Market in the summer.
“A new owner could easily have other plans and a deed restriction prohibiting another bank meant [the Farmer’s Market]would not be possible,” Mundy said.
