If all goes according to plan, a new piece of public art will soon join the landscape of downtown Fishers. A large tree sculpture is set to be installed this fall along the Nickel Plate Trail, adjacent to the Spark parking garage.

The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety approved $300,000 in funding for the sculpture at its Tuesday morning meeting. The money will come from bond proceeds designated for the Nickel Plate Trail project.

Bo-mar Industries will handle the construction and installation of the artwork. The sculpture will be as tall as the Spark garage and will include backlit Nickel Plate Trail lettering on the west side of the structure.

Additional Approvals by the Board

In other business Tuesday:

• The board approved a right-of-way dedication at 14500 E. 96th Street, part of the city’s Technical Advisory Committee review process for a proposed expansion of the Geist Community Center. The center, which serves as an Islamic mosque, is located within Fishers city limits but carries a McCordsville mailing address.

• The city also approved the purchase of turnout gear for a new class of firefighter recruits. The total cost is $61,098, reflecting a significant discount from the vendor, Hoosier Fire. The retail value of the gear is $127,347.

The Fishers Event Center brought in $741,207 for the City of Fishers during its first four months of operation, ending April 30. That total, reported to the Town Hall Building Corporation on Monday afternoon, is 22% higher than originally forecast.

City officials receive $3 from every ticket sold at the venue, along with a share of revenue from parking and food and beverage sales. Event Center representatives cautioned, however, that summer tends to be a slower season for indoor facilities.

The number of events hosted also outpaced projections. The venue held 67 events during the four-month period—well above the anticipated 51—with total attendance reaching approximately 241,000, compared to the forecast of 202,000.

The Center’s adjusted net income came is just under $830,000, within 1% of the projected figure.

However, operating costs were higher than expected. Officials cited several contributing factors, including increased food, beverage, and security expenses. They added that efforts are underway to reduce labor costs associated with food and beverage operations going forward.

When I moved to Fishers in May of 1991, the town’s population was estimated at fewer than 8,000 residents. The 1990 U.S. Census put the number just over 7,500.

At the time, I had no idea that 34 years later I would be living in a city with a population now exceeding 104,000. That milestone was reached thanks to a recently finalized annexation that added more than 3,000 residents and extended the city’s boundary to the Hancock County line.

With this growth, Fishers is now officially Indiana’s fourth-largest city—trailing only Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville. The annexation moved Fishers ahead of South Bend and even our neighbor to the west, Carmel.

Why has Fishers grown so quickly? As someone who has lived here for more than three decades and written a local news blog for the past 13 years, I have a few thoughts.

First, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools have played a major role. My twin daughters, now 31 and both college graduates, received an excellent education through the HSE School District. Maintaining the strength of our schools is essential to the continued health of our city.

Fishers also made a pivotal decision in 2012, when residents voted to become a second-class city. In the 2014 election, Scott Fadness became our first—and so far, only—mayor. Over the years, he has pursued an aggressive strategy of economic development and has invested heavily in what he often calls “quality of life” initiatives. So far, those investments appear to be paying off.

And then, there’s something less tangible but just as important: the people. I always tell my friends who don’t live here that Fishers is full of genuinely good people. That doesn’t mean we don’t have our fair share of challenges, controversies, or problem individuals. But in my experience, this city is home to some of the best people I’ve ever known—a key ingredient in any thriving community.

So, to the new residents in the recently annexed area to the east: welcome. I hope your experience living in Indiana’s fourth-largest city is as positive and rewarding as mine has been.

It’s becoming a familiar—and frustrating—pattern for the Fishers Freight: a competitive first half, followed by a second-half unraveling. That trend continued Saturday night at the Fishers Event Center, where the Freight suffered a 40-23 loss to the Massachusetts Pirates.

“We have to make plays,” Head Coach Dixie Wooten told reporter Eva Hallman after the game. “Tonight, we didn’t.”

Things started well for the home team. Quarterback Carlos Davis got the Freight on the board with a 4-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Kicker Calum Sutherland followed with a deuce—a two-point score under Indoor Football League rules awarded when a kickoff sails through the uprights—putting Fishers ahead 9-0.

However, momentum shifted after a fumble by Shane Simpson late in the first quarter gave Massachusetts a short field. The Pirates capitalized quickly with a touchdown.

A 20-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter gave the Pirates a 14-9 lead, but Fishers answered with a 21-yard strike from Davis to Simpson, reclaiming a slim 15-14 halftime advantage.

Then came another second-half collapse.

The Freight turned the ball over on downs early in the third quarter, setting up a Massachusetts touchdown that put the visitors ahead 21-15. Another turnover on downs led to another Pirates score, stretching the lead to 28-15. A Pirates deuce at the end of the third quarter extended their advantage to 30-15.

Fishers never recovered. Though they managed a late touchdown, the outcome was never in doubt.

With the loss, the Freight fall to 2-8, having dropped eight straight games after starting the season with two wins. The Pirates improved to 4-5.

Fishers now turns its attention to a road trip to Quad City, hoping to break their losing streak in what has become a trying inaugural season for the IFL’s only expansion team in 2025.

The temperature is warming as summer sinks into the Fishers area and we have a long list of road construction projects.  I recently recorded a podcast featuring city engineers on the road construction summer and information on the city’s sanitary sewer system.  Listen at this link.

Here is the full list of Fishers area road construction, as provided by the City of Fishers, for the week beginning June 9:

Continue reading Fishers area road construction update for the week of June 9 →

More than 200 adults gathered at the Noblesville Library on Friday, May 30, for A Night in the Stacks, an after-hours celebration hosted by the Hamilton East Public Library and presented by the newly established Hamilton East Public Library Foundation.

The 21+ event launched the library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program in an unexpected way—transforming the traditional space into a playground for adults. Activities included a silent disco, laser tag, book speed dating, trivia, crafts, video games, and even a bounce house. Tickets were $20 and included one drink ticket, with food and beverages available for purchase.

“The Foundation was proud to sponsor this sold-out event,” said Lisa Longo, Director of the Hamilton East Public Library Foundation. “Adults of all ages came to the library to have fun and participate in activities that adults usually step aside and leave for the kids. This is one of the many ways the library brings the community together, connects us, and reminds us of the value and joy a library can foster. We will continue to add events that strengthen the fabric of our community and raise funds to support library programs.”

Guests could also get a head start on Summer Reading Program registration, visit the Friends of the Library Bookstore during special hours, and spin a prize wheel for giveaways.

“We were so excited to host such a great party at the Library,” said Amber Wright, Director of Public Services. “Everywhere you turned, people seemed to be having a blast exploring the traditional library space in new ways. The atmosphere from the very start through last call was one of absolute fun. The feedback on the night of the event and since has been loud and clear: this is an event people are looking forward to seeing again!”

Fishers Parks is inviting the community to come together in support of the Indiana Pacers with a series of free outdoor watch parties at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (NPD AMP) for Games 2, 3, and 4 of the NBA Finals.

Fans are encouraged to wear their blue and gold and cheer on the Pacers as they pursue a championship title. The events are free and open to all ages, offering a family-friendly environment with a festival-like atmosphere.

Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Outside food is permitted, and local food trucks and beverage vendors will be on site. Each event will feature additional activities and crowd engagement opportunities.

Free parking is available throughout the Nickel Plate District, including garages, surface lots, and street parking. Accessible parking is provided in the lot immediately south of the City Services Building at 3 Municipal Drive. For more details, including a parking map, visit FishersParks.com/WatchParty.

Watch Party Schedule at NPD AMP (6 Municipal Drive):

• Game 2: Sunday, June 8 | 7 – 11 p.m. (Tip-off at 8 p.m.)

• Game 3: Wednesday, June 11 | 7 – 11 p.m. (Tip-off at 8:30 p.m.)

• Game 4: Friday, June 13 | 7 – 11 p.m. (Tip-off at 8:30 p.m.)

This series of events is part of the city’s broader efforts to celebrate community spirit and support for Indiana’s home team during this historic Finals run.

The City of Fishers has completed the annexation of 960 parcels in southeastern Hamilton County, formally adding approximately 3,000 residents to the growing community and solidifying its status as the fourth-largest city in Indiana, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The annexation process, which began in June 2024, received unanimous approval from the Fishers City Council in January 2025.

“It’s exciting to fulfill this component of our long-range annexation plans and officially welcome our newest Fishers residents to our community,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “We look forward to serving this area and bringing efficient delivery of services and a high quality of life for thousands of residents who call southeastern Fishers home.”

The annexed area is roughly bounded by 113th Street to the north; the Hamilton-Madison-Hancock county lines to the east; the Rossana Village subdivision and parcels west to Flat Fork Creek Park on the southern border; and Cyntheanne Road, Luxhaven subdivision, and Geist Park on the western edge.

Prior to annexation, Fishers already provided zoning oversight, sanitary sewer service, and Fire/EMS services to the area through a contract with Fall Creek Township. With the annexation complete, residents will now see a phased rollout of full city services.

As of June 1, 2025, the following services are being extended to the annexed area:

• Fishers Parks: Access to programming and resident discounts

• Fishers Health Department: Public health services and resident support

• Engineering Department: Inclusion of roads, bridges, and sidewalks into city infrastructure planning

• Fishers Police Department: Emergency dispatch and patrol services

Later this fall, Public Works will assume responsibility for road maintenance, snow removal, and right-of-way services such as fallen tree and dead animal removal.

On January 1, 2026, the transition will be complete with the launch of citywide trash and recycling services through Republic Services and stormwater utility service provided by Fishers.

The annexation marks a significant milestone in Fishers’ continued growth and municipal development, expanding both its footprint and the reach of city-provided services.

The weather is warming and that means road construction has ramped-up in and around Fishers.  I recorded a podcast to talk about road construction and sanitary sewers with three engineers with the City of Fishers – Engineering Director Hatem Mekky, Project Engineer Tami Houston and Sanitary Engineer Schmitt.

Listen to the podcast at the link below: