Karl Haas, who served as the attorney for the Carmel Redevelopment Commission for more than 20 years, died suddenly Dec. 6 at his home.
Haas, 57, was an expert in public-private partnerships and was influential in developing Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indianapolis and Carmel’s Arts & Design District, Carmel City Center and Midtown.
“Karl’s expertise in the area of real estate development and public private partnerships was vital to our success, especially early on,” Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard stated in a press release. “No other Indiana community has approached its redevelopment efforts as aggressively or as skillfully as Carmel has, and that is due in great part to the knowledge that Karl brought to our CRC discussions and the planning process.”
Haas began his legal career at Baker & Daniels in 1985, becoming partner in 1992 before co-founding Wallack Somers & Haas in 1999. He was a graduate of Indiana University and Indiana University School of Law.
A private service will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 17. Friends and family are invited to the Haas family residence between 2 and 6 p.m. for a memorial and open house in celebration of Haas’ life. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Karl P. Haas Memorial Fund (in care of United Fidelity Bank, Carmel).
