Lane restrictions and closures will continue in the area of 106th Street and Allisonville Road as crews continue to repair a collapsed sewer line.  The city says these restrictions will continue “until further notice.”

Look for more road work along the Fall Creek trail at 96th Street and Brook School Road, Lantern Road between 116th Street and Commercial Drive, 96th Street west of Masters Road in the eastbound lanes and fence work will continue along 116th Street 9-3 from Hague Road to Charleston Parkway.

Below is the full statement from the City of Fishers….

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FALL CREEK TRAIL

Tree clearing continues along Fall Creek Road between 96^th Street and Brooks School Road the week of Jan. 25th. This work is in preparation for trail work coming later this spring, and additional details will be posted as they are available.

LANTERN ROAD

Lantern Road between 116^th Street and Commercial Drive will be restricted the week of Jan. 25th. Please use caution and pay close attention to signage displayed in the area.

96^th STREET

Beginning on Friday, Jan. 22, eastbound 96^th Street just west of Masters Road will have one lane closed. This closure is for utility work in the roadway and will be in place through Monday, Jan. 25th.

106^TH STREET

106th Street west of Allisonville Road and the southbound lane of Allisonville Road will be closed until further notice for repairs to the sanitary sewer line. Repair work may require additional road repairs, and ongoing updates will be made available on the @DriveFishers Twitter account as this project progresses.

116^th STREET

The eastbound lane of 116^th Street from Hague Road to Charleston Parkway will be restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for fence replacement. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling along the corridor and pay close attention to signage displayed.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Foundation is set to present its fourth annual Game Day fundraiser February 26th, at Conner Prairie.  In the past, the event was tied to watching college basketball tournament games.  This year, the event will celebrate the game.

Game Day 2016 will also feature Joe Reitz, an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts and product of the HSE High School football program.  He will serve as honorary chair of Game Day, mingling with the crowd.

Game Day will feature food, entertainment and a silent auction.  Tickets are $65 each and can be bought using this link. ($41.50 of the cost qualifies for a potential tax deduction as a charitable contribution)

All the proceeds go to STEM projects and teacher led initiatives across all 21 schools.  (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education)

This event has sold out in the past, so it’s a good idea to get your tickets now if you plan on attending.

It appears the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Administration has settled on a specific referendum recommendation to present to the school board for a vote Monday night.  Based on a Web site posting, administrators will present to the board a referendum amount of 22.75 cents per $100 of assessed property tax valuation.  The current referendum is about to expire after 7 years.  It provided a 10 cent increase, so school officials are recommending raising the current rate by 12.75 cents.

The proposed tax increase would mean an additional $17 million for local schools over the next 7 years.

Actual property tax bills are a bit more complicated, since residential homeowners are allowed deductions and the property tax caps can impact different individual taxpayers in various ways.

The board was set to hold the referendum last year, but decided to delay the process in order to hold meetings with school employees and people in the community for feedback. School Superintendent Allen Bourff has told board members on more than one occasion that the most often mentioned comment in these meetings is that the school system should ensure whatever is requested is enough to take care of the school corporation’s needs

In the posting on the HSE Web site, school officials list three goals to be achieved through the extra money gleaned from a referendum:

• Reduce Class Sizes
• Attract and Retain Quality Teachers
• Prepare Students for Global Competition

The school board is expected to vote on the referendum issue at Monday night’s meeting.

Based on the school board decision, voters will resolve the issue in the May 3rd primary election.

If you look at some of the major economic development projects over the past few months, one would get the impression Fishers is making a move to become a destination city.  If so, what does that mean to the look and feel of our community?

The most recent announcement is Topgolf’s intention to construct a venue near 116th Street and Cumberland Road.  I am not a golfer, but those who are assure me this is a very important facility that will draw people from miles around.

In November, the city had a joint news conference with IKEA to announce that the European furniture retailer will be building next to USA Funds and First Internet Bank, near Exit 5 at 116th Street and I-69.  Again, I have never had an IKEA shopping experience , but if the outlets closest to Indy, in Chicago and Cincinnati, are any indication, IKEA will be drawing customers near and far.

Sun King Brewery still has plans to put a major brewing complex north of 96th Street near I-69 in Fishers that the company says will be a “destination” once completed.  The unusual state laws governing distribution of craft beer products has delayed that project, but Sun King has opened a tasting room on 96th Street in Fishers to show its long-term commitment to the local area.

One possible Fishers destination is in limbo for now.  The “Sports Pavilion” planned for the Saxony area of Fishers was announced in April of 2015.  However, the developer has run into problems financing the project.  We will see if that major indoor sports facility show any forward movement in 2016.

Mayor Scott Fadness has described his vision of Fishers as a place that is smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial.  There is no question the mayor is leading the charge to continue bringing destination centers to the city.

There has been push-back from some in Fishers.  Many residents that have lived here for a long time bought their homes because of the school system, their neighbors and the ease of life here.  The continued development is increasing traffic and bringing more people to the area.  Many in Fishers are in favor of the growth strategy.  However, if you attend some public hearings, you will listen to residents who feel Fishers is changing in ways they never imagined when moving here.

I do not see any letup in the steady stream of economic development announcements for Fishers.  City officials tell me in the coming weeks to look for announcements of more employment opportunities.  The “destination” centers do come with some employment, but not a large number of jobs.

Many anticipate the 106th Street interchange on I-69, which will begin construction this year, could draw some office building tenants, and a number of professional jobs with them.  The area around Metropolitan Airport is now the site of possible development, based on a recent agreement between the city and the Indianapolis Airport Authority.  We will see.

In the meantime, there is no question Fishers will have several “destination” developments opening in the next two years.  That will bring more and more people to Fishers.  Is that a good or a bad thing?  It depends on your point of view.

But one thing is certain.  Fishers will continue to grow, in population and commercial activity.  I see no indication it will slow down anytime soon.

TopGolf will receive impact fee waivers totaling about $666,000 after the Fishers City Council unanimously approved the action.  Mayor Scott Fadness told the council he will hold Topgolf to its promises of constructing a quality venue based on artist renderings of the planned facility.  Topgolf is expected to have about 135 full-time employees, with as many as 450 total workers during its peak season.

The council also approved a rezone request from IKEA to allow that project to move forward.

In other actions..

–Council members gave final approval to text amendments for the City’s Unified Development Ordinance, providing Brewery Standards.

–Provided a final okay for a rezone in a portion of property located on the south side of Southeastern Parkway and east of Olio Road, known as the College Park Church property, to allow church construction and for a commercial area nearby.

The Adjutant General for the Indiana National Guard, Major General Courtney P. Carr, gave the Minuteman Award to the City of Fishers at the Monday night meeting.  This is to honor local officials for launching a program to care for lawns and shovel snow for families with spouses deployed overseas.

The city council honored the Fishers High School We the People team for winning the state championship.  Fishers will be traveling to Washington DC this spring, representing Indiana in the national contest.  Coach Liz Paternoster told the council she has a “gofundme” page and is looking for any donations to pay for the cost of the DC trip.  She is trying to raise $40,000.

The Fishers City Council did not vote on officers for the coming year at its first session of 2016.  Council President Pete Peterson told LarryInFishers there were 3 missing council members and he wants to have more members on hand for the vote.

Peterson went on to say he expects no officer changes in 2016 once the vote is taken.  If that happens, Peterson will remain council president and John Weingardt will continue as council vice president.

On this Martin Luther King Holiday in honor of his birthday, there are many ways to commemorate his life.  In the numerous material I have read about Dr. King on this day honoring him, the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” may best sum up the struggle.

The Atlantic magazine republished the letter 50 years ago.  They have published it again on their Web page.  It is worth reading.

You can access his letter at this link.

Year-round golf will be available in Fishers next year, based on an announcement today that Topgolf is building its first Indiana facility here.  If all goes as planned, the golfing center will open its 116th Street & Cumberland road location in the spring of 2017.

The 65,000-square-foot venue would be one-of-a-kind.  Here’s how the news release from the City of Fishers describes it: “…offering competitive golfing games for all ages and skill levels and advanced technology to track the accuracy and distance of players’ shots. Those who just want to relax can enjoy the upscale, laid-back ambiance that boasts more than 230 high-definition flat-screen TVs and an extensive food and beverage menu.”

“As we look to expand in the Midwest, Indianapolis is a key market that has been on Topgolf’s radar for a long time,” said Topgolf Vice President of Real Estate Development Zach Shor in the city news release. “Fishers offers a centralized location in the state and close proximity to Indianapolis. It’s a vibrant community that is frequently recognized as a top place to live and work, and we hope to provide residents a new destination for entertainment.”

This is planned as a three-level location – which would be open year-round, includes up to 3,000 square feet of private event space and 102 climate-controlled hitting bays that can host up to six players at one time.

Here is how Topgolf describes itself:

“Topgolf is a global sports entertainment community creating the best times of your life, with 24 locations serving a projected 8 million guests annually. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. Each facility offers an upscale and playful experience, featuring an impressive food and beverage menu, music, games, climate-controlled hitting bays, and hundreds of HDTVs. Topgolf also brings fun, interactive experiences to the community through its Topgolf U lessons, leagues, tournaments, KidZone parties, and social and corporate events. To learn more about Topgolf, visit www.topgolf.com ”

The Fishers City Council will consider a fee waiver of $666,000 for Topgolf at the meeting set for Tuesday, February 18th, at 7pm.  The city says the investment by Topgolf in the center will be at least $18 million.  The waiver is being offered in exchange for the investment in the center, per a City Council Action Form.

Fishers is now into 2016, and there are reasons to believe at least the first 90 days will feature plenty of activity.

First, at the Indiana Statehouse, Mayor Scott Fadness is heading-up the Legislative Committee for the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT).  That means he will be spending a lot of time in downtown Indy advocating for issues impacting the state’s municipal governments.  Fadness was appointed to the post by IACT President Greg Goodnight, Mayor of Kokomo.

“Mayor Fadness brings a huge bank of experience to the table” said Goodnight in an IACT news release.  “He will be able to draw upon the many successes and challenges he’s faced in Fishers to advance legislation that gives municipal officials the tools to create a better quality of life in all Hoosier cities and towns.  Scott has become known among lawmakers and peers for his innovative leadership and strategic vision”

Meanwhile, here in Fishers, a retreat held last week featuring city council members, the mayor and key city staff, provided a glimpse into what the city may be seeing in 2016.

Based on what I heard in that retreat, and information I have gleaned from other sources, here’s what I see happening in the first 90 days of 2016:

–The state is likely to release some option income tax money its been holding for the last few years.  Mayor Fadness expects Fishers to receive $9 million in a lump sum if the proposed Senate bill becomes law, which the mayor expects it will.  Some of the money will come with major strings attached by the state, but about 25% will be available for the city to spend as it wants.  The mayor and city council will need to make a decision on that.

–Look for the city to ramp-up its communications efforts.

–City Councilman Rich Block proposed a new city hall be constructed if the current one cannot be renovated easily.  No one else spoke up at the retreat in favor of that proposal, so don’t look for action anytime soon on a new Fishers City Hall.

–The city is working on economic development projects that would produce jobs for the city.  The word I am getting is that announcements should be forthcoming in the first 3 months of 2016.

–Look for city departments to continue moves toward upgrading technology.

Bottom line, Mayor Fadness says he spent a good part of 2015 delivering his vision of Fishers’ future.  2016 is time to deliver on that vision.  We may know more about that when the mayor delivers his State of the City address on February 10th.