By Ann Marie Shambaugh
It’s been designed and redesigned multiple times, but the latest plans for a proposed mixed-use development called 200 West feature a three-story building likely to hold a restaurant, retailers and office space.
Attorney Tim Ochs, who represents developer Randy Green, presented the newest plans for 200 West at a Village Residents Association special meeting Feb. 22 at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center. The proposed 28,400-square-foot building sits on approximately four acres along Sycamore Street just south of Second Street.
“What we did was really tighten up the project and comply with all the requirements that are in the zoning ordinance, so now it’s down to a single building,” Ochs said, adding that additional buildings could be added in the future.
The project as originally presented in early 2016 would have included 15 single-family homes, 75 multi-family homes and commercial uses. After receiving negative feedback from the public, the developers modified the project, but the changes weren’t enough to keep the Zionsville Plan Commission and Zionsville Town Council from voting against a zoning change.
The current proposal will not require a zoning change or any variances from town codes. Ochs said it 200 West will include 55 parking spaces – five more than required – in lots above and below ground. Several residents expressed concern that it would not be enough.
Ralph Stacy, who has lived on Second Street for more than 70 years, said he already has to park a block or two away from his home at times when traffic is busy.
“I hope that when I enter my 80s and 90s I have a place to park in front of my home,” he said.
Ochs said developers believe that 55 spaces will be sufficient.
“It would be folly for any developer or any owner of a building to have it fail because there’s not adequate parking,” he said. “That’s not the desire here.”
He also said that it’s not yet known if the parking garage would be free for public use. If any public tax increment financing dollars are used to fund it, the garage would likely remain free, he said. The developer is interested in discussing the possibility of using TIF to fund infrastructure, but the decision would be up to the Zionsville Redevelopment Commission. The land already lies within a TIF area.
The building, designed by Zionsville-based David Rausch Studio, will likely contain a restaurant and retail space on the first floor with office space on the second and third floors. Ochs said that it’s too early in the process to officially announce any tenants but that there has been “a lot of interest,” including discussions with at least one local restaurateur.
If the town approves the project, Ochs said construction could start as early as this summer and be expected to last approximately a year. The Zionsville Plan Commission is expected to discuss 200 West at its meeting at 7 p.m. March 20.
