There is no contract yet for naming rights to the Fishers Events Center, but the plaza area just outside the building has a contract for naming rights, and it is a familiar local moniker.
It is to be known as the Forum Credit Union Plaza at Fishers District, a green space. Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren told the Town Hall Building Corporation Monday that this area is envisioned to be a well-manicured plaza, adjacent to the Events Center. Hultgren said the rights will cost Forum just over $109,000. The new Chicken N Pickle restaurant coming to the area will be located just west of the Plaza.
As to the naming rights for the Events Center itself, Hultgren said the Indy Fuel commissioned an independent study asserting the naming rights were worth more than $1.1 million annually. Hultgren described that number as “extreme, extraordinary.” According to Hultgren, a naming rights fee in the neighborhood of $700,000 annually would be “great for us.”
The Town Hall Building Corporation approved the naming rights agreement Monday, and also voted unanimously to allow ASM Global, the manager of the Events Center, to enter into a contract with Andy Frain Services to provide security for the Center.
The Town Hall Building Corporation deals with financing and leasing of buildings and other capital improvements in the City of Fishers, Indiana.
You may recall a robbery at the Fishers Taco Bell on Allisonville Road June 30th of this year. Fishers Police announced Monday additional arrests and charges connected with that situation. Three men, all from Indianapolis, have been charged with several counts each.
Under arrest are Fredrick Nance, Terrell Caudle and Devanta Hilliard. Nance and Caudle are currently being held on $1 million bonds in Hamilton County. Hilliard is being held in Marion County and is awaiting transfer to Hamilton County in connection with this case.
Fishers Police credit partners in these arrests, including the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, IMPD Covert Robbery, IMPD SWAT, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
Here are the charges each face:
Fredrick Nance:
Robbery
Intimidation
Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury
Theft
Auto Theft
Pointing A Firearm at Another
Criminal Confinement While Armed With A Deadly Weapon
Resisting Law Enforcement
Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle
Criminal Recklessness Using a Deadly Weapon
Kidnapping While Armed with A Deadly Weapon
Possession Of a Machine Gun
Terrell Caudle:
Burglary with a Deadly Weapon
Pointing a Firearm at Another
Intimidation: Threaten in retaliation for a prior lawful act AND def. draws or uses a deadly weapon
Criminal Confinement AND while armed with a deadly weapon.
Kidnapping while armed with a deadly weapon.
Armed Robbery: Taking property by force or threatening the use of force while armed with a deadly weapon.
Burglary with a deadly weapon
Davonta Hilliard
Burglary with a deadly weapon
Armed Robbery- Taking property by putting someone in fear while armed with a deadly weapon.
Armed Robbery- Taking property by putting someone in fear while armed with a deadly weapon.
Kidnapping while armed with a deadly weapon
Kidnapping while armed with a deadly weapon
Criminal Confinement while armed with a deadly weapon
Criminal Confinement while armed with a deadly weapon
Intimidation: Where def. draws or uses a deadly weapon
Intimidation: Where def. draws or uses a deadly weapon
Intimidation: Where def. draws or uses a deadly weapon
Intimidation: Where def. draws or uses a deadly weapon
Possession of a Machine Gun
Pointing a Firearm at Another
Pointing a Firearm at Another
Pointing a Firearm at Another
Pointing a Firearm at Another
Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
The Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) is encouraging community members to explore the benefits of a library card this September during Library Card Sign-Up Month. Throughout the month, residents can sign up for or renew their library cards at either the Fishers or Noblesville branches of HEPL.
HEPL’s mission, centered around Innovation, Discovery, Equity, and Access, drives the array of resources and programs offered to the community. Beyond traditional book borrowing, a HEPL library card opens doors to various creative and recreational opportunities.
One standout feature at the Fishers branch is Ignite Studio, an art studio and makerspace equipped with tools such as maker kits, a 3D printer, a vinyl cutter, and an embroidery machine. Additionally, HEPL recently introduced a selection of outdoor yard games like Ladder Toss, KanJam, and Bocce Ball, available for checkout or public use at the Fishers branch.
The Noblesville branch has also expanded its offerings with the new Crossroads Discovery Center, which combines storytelling and genealogy. Patrons can contribute to the community oral history booth and explore historic records through interactive exhibits.
In celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month, HEPL has partnered with local businesses to provide special deals to cardholders from September 1-30. The full list of participating businesses can be found on the library’s website.
HEPL is aiming to break its record for the most library cards issued in September. Two library card sign-up parties will be held to mark the occasion. The first will take place on Thursday, September 5, from 5-7 p.m. at the Noblesville Library, and the second on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Fishers Library. These events will feature live music, caricature artists, and refreshments.
All community members are invited to join the celebrations, whether signing up for a library card for the first time or renewing an existing one.
Tom Killian has led the Hamilton County Community Foundation since 2017. In this podcast, he discusses what the foundation is doing in its philanthropic work.
A look at nearby cities and their monthly contract rates, from the City of Fishers
Fishers has a very important public hearing at 9am, Tuesday, August 13, in the City Hall Auditorium. The issue under discussion has a history going back 2013, when Fishers was a town.
In 2013, Town Councilor David George raised the issue of the town contracting a rate for all town residents, providing a way to save money for residents with one municipal contract. The then-Town-Manager Scott Fadness had his staff go through the legal procedure of taking bids
The town held a public hearing in 2013 to take comments on the proposed best contract offer, in the opinion of the town, from Republic. Let’s just say the comments were not positive.
I recently had dinner with Scott Fulton, and friend and fellow journalist. I could not cover that 2013 public hearing so I had Scott cover it for me. He couldn’t believe it when I told him Fishers was once again looking to have a city contract for trash collection services. The public backlash was so severe, Scott never imagined Fishers would consider one public trash contract again.
Fast forward to 2023. At the end of a routine City Council meeting, Councilor David Giffel raised the possibility of a city-wide trash collection contract to save residents money in fees. Scott Fadness, John Weingardt and Pete Peterson were all involved in town government during 2013. Fadness was town manager, Weingardt & Peterson were members of the 7-member town council. They all remembered the huge public blowback in 2013.
David Giffel was unsuccessful in his re-election campaign for another term on the Council, but the City of Fishers began the process of accepting bids at the start of 2024. Bids were filed, negotiations were held, and the city announced the bids, finding Republic to be the best of the 3 proposals received.
The next step in the process is the 9am public hearing August 13, before the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety. The board consists of three members…Mayor Scott Fadness and his 2 appointees, Jeff Lantz & Jason Meyer.
That board will listen to public comments and will likely send the item to the City Council. Thus, the public hearing August 13 is a key step in this process.
I am already seeing rumblings of discontent online about the Republic bid. Tom Britt, owner of the local publishing operation Towne Post, argues in a recent post that Fishers Republic contract will “result in Fishers residents having to pay the highest trash rates in Hamilton County.”
There is at least one Homeowners Association (HOA) that plans to testify at the public hearing that they have negotiated a lower rate than the city would in 2025 with the proposed Republic contract.
A Board of Works member asked the mayor at a recent meeting about perhaps negotiating some better terms. The mayor had a few remarks to make.
First, his view is that Republic is taking a huge risk with the contract, which extends out to 10 years. There is no provision for Republic to raise rates if fuel costs skyrocket anytime during that 10-year pact.
He also argued that some HOAs may have a few more years of lower rates than the city’s Republic contract, but those same HOAs may be shocked at the rates offered in any new contract. Fadness says the HOAs will still save money in the long-run during the city’s deal with Republic.
If the Board of Works sends this contract proposal to the City Council, that body will have the final say.
I have no idea how this trash collection contract will end up, but it appears Fishers is in for some more public controversy by the time this is all said and done.
The city has more information on this trash issue at this link.
The Republic bid to Fishers for monthly trash service costs, with year one 2025
Another busy week of road construction in the Fishers area during the coming week. The roundabout at 126th Street & Southeastern Parkway is now open but the city warns it is still an active construction zone. Also, watch for street closures, including for the Woofstock fund-raiser benefiting the local Humane Society August 10.
Below is the listing for the work week starting Monday, August 12, as provided by the City of Fishers:
When I arrived about 30 minutes prior to the Fishers Plan Commission meeting Wednesday night, the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Committee meeting was still in session. That was unusual. What was also unusual for a PUD Committee session was the presence of a large crowd.
The panel was considering a proposal by IHG Hotels to construct a new hotel line from the chain, Atwell Suites, in the Saxony neighborhood. Committee members had told IHG the design of the project was not one that would fit well into the Saxony area.
Once IHG had presented its newest proposal, it was clear, based on the comments by the committee members, there were at least 3 of the 5-member committee prepared to vote no. That led to massive applause by the people in the audience.
City Councilor Pete Peterson, also a member of the PUD Committee, suggested that IHG be given another chance to change the plans based on committee member comments. He moved for a continuance, and that motion was passed unanimously.
Daniel Bradley of the Indianapolis Business Journal has a very good story digging into the details of all this. You can find the story at this link, but you may need to be a subscriber to access this story online.
The Fishers Events Center will open for business during November of this year. That is just a few months away.
The Events Center is sponsoring a Job Fair Thursday, August 29, 9am-noon, at Launch Fishers. It is highly recommended that you register in advance at this link.
Jobs available include – Ticket Sellers, Guest Services Coordinators, Premium Staff Concert Runners, Ice Crew, Zamboni Drivers, Operations Crew, Cooks, Bartenders, Suite Attendants, Dish Washers, Suite Runners, as well as Food & Beverage Leads.
Fishers Event Center staff and hiring managers will be available in person at the career fair.
(L-R) Jeff Harrison, Sarah Donsbach, Matt Kegley, Ben Orr, Dawn Lang
How should staff at Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools communicate with students? The district’s Policy Committee reviewed proposed new school policies governing these communications Thursday morning, with a myriad electronic platforms available to staff and students.
Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley told the committee the district has been grappling with such communications, particularly athletes. Coaches, club sponsors, and teacher assignment reminders are examples of such communications done electronically. Kegley cites the implementation of Parent Square as a way to do so within the school district’s systems.
Director of Educational Technology Jeff Harrison told the committee the idea is to limit staff-student communications within technology under the purview of HSE Schools. Student Square is a part of Parent Square, allowing students to use the same system. The system has been in use for 2 years and Harrison says users find it an easy system to navigate. Parent Square can be inspected by school officials at any time.
Parent Square also has a language translation feature, for those where English is not the first language of the parent.
The proposed policy states it is not acceptable to like, follow, friend, personally text or utilize e-mail on personal social media accounts when staff communicates with students, according to Harrison. The policy change would not impact athletes until the spring sports season, allowing coaches to move to the Parent Square system.
Kegley and Hamilton Southeastern Education Association President Abby Taylor agreed that teachers are generally very supportive of this proposed policy. Kegley says this policy would protect teachers when a message is not perceived the way it was intended, the entire conversation can be reviewed.
Board member Sarah Donsbach asked about using electronic media when a student is being recruited, or wants to be recruited by a university. Harrison said coaches showcasing their athletes to college recruiters should not use personal accounts.
There was a lengthy discussion about how Facebook accounts that are not private can allow students to follow a teacher’s personal Facebook account without the teacher’s knowledge, which would be a violation of this proposed policy. Teachers would need to review their Facebook followers now and in the future, if not a private account.
Taylor said ISTA does not recommend that teachers identify themselves as teachers on personal social media accounts. Taylor added that staff needs a detailed review and explanation of how this policy will be implemented once adopted by the board.
This proposed policy will be presented at the August 14 school board meeting for discussion, but no vote is expected at that time.
Plan Commission discusses the proposed Meijer store
The Fishers Plan Commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council for the proposed 80,000 square foot Meijer grocery at Southeastern Parkway and Cyntheanne Road.
Local developer Corby Thompson provided some history on that plot of land where Meijer wants to locate the store, with the bottom line that this land was considered commercial going back to 2006 when Fishers was a town.
There were 9 speakers during the public hearing, with 7 voicing opposition to the proposal, 2 expressing support. City Councilors Pete Peterson and Selina Stoller, both also members of the Plan Commission, argued that this land has been considered commercial for some time, agreeing with Mr. Thompson’s analysis. Concerns raised by nearby residents about additional traffic is something that always comes with development, according to Peterson.
7 of the 11 Plan Commission members were present for the Wednesday night session. All 7 present voted for the favorable recommendation to the Council.
One speaker during the public hearing said the HyVee Grocery planned for Fishers was not going to happen. City Councilor Brad DeReamer, also a Plan Commission member, said HyVee still plans to construct a grocery in Fishers.
Local developer Corby Thompson talks about the history of the land Meijer is eyeing
