By Navar Watson
An improved redevelopment plan for the City of Noblesville passed its final test at the Common Council meeting June 9, allowing for the establishment of the Riverfront Redevelopment District.
The district stretches from just west of Westfield and River Roads to 10th Street downtown and hopes to see the construction of more businesses in the near future.
“The creation of the Riverfront Redevelopment District will help further the City of Noblesville by removing barriers for development,” Noblesville Economic Development Specialist Alaina Shonkwiler said.
It will not only expand the city’s tax base, she said, but also allow for more dining and entertainment venues.
The redevelopment area was originally created in 1989, City Attorney Mike Howard said, but the plan was amended this year to include the acquisition of land for the Federal Hill Commons and BlueSky projects, which the council already approved.
The establishment of the district costs no money from the city, though the completion of district’s two big projects will cost the city about $9.7 million in the next two years.
In addition to new establishments, the creation of the district includes the possibility of more restaurants serving alcohol.
Indiana communities typically hold a limited number of alcohol licenses, which are determined by population numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The designation of the district could allow it to have an unlimited amount of three-way and two-way licenses. Three-way licenses allow restaurants to sell beer, wine and liquor, and two-way licenses allow beer and wine only.
“(This designation) will put Downtown Noblesville well on its way to becoming a true dining destination and improve the visitor experience in an already vibrant downtown,” Dave Pumphrey, owner of Copper Still Kitchen and Bar said.
The following also happened at the June 9 meeting:
- The council approved a confirmatory resolution that will allow Timberline Properties, LLC, to restore the second floor of a property in historic downtown Noblesville for office space.
- The council also approved $65,000 in funding to the Noblesville Youth Assistance Program, which is $1,500 more than last year. The program provides students with the resources to stay in school and out of the courts. It has helped 120 families and children this year.
