My May 12th Larry’s Log podcast discussed Indiana Republican House member Jim Lucas from Seymour. He was accused of a recent racist post on Facebook. Lucas immediately defended himself, saying the post was not racist and he is not racist. I urged House Speaker Todd Huston (from Fishers) to consider pulling Lucas from his committee appointments in the House. Friday afternoon, Huston published new committee assignments and Lucas was no longer on two, demoted from vice-chair to regular member on a third panel. Here is my followup commentary on the speaker’s actions.
Fishers road construction update
There will be plenty of Fishers road construction underway in the coming week. State Road 37, 96th Street, Allisonville Road and several downtown projects are on the list.
Here is the listing provided by the City of Fishers:
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| STATE ROAD 37 126th Street west of SR 37 is currently closed and is anticipated to reopen in July. During this time, cross access and all left turns will be restricted, with only right in and right out until this phase ends. Traffic on Southbound SR 37 will shift to the Northbound lanes and two lanes will remain in each direction. Local access to businesses will remain open via Lantern Road. The official detour route will direct drivers to use 116th Street or 131st Street to Allisonville Road. Detour route markers and advance warning signs will be in place prior to the closure. For a map of the detours, click here. Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com. |
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| PAW PATROL PARADE The PAW Patrol Parade will continue Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. around Fishers in Central, South Central, and East Fishers neighborhoods. There will not be any road closures for this parade, however we will be traveling slowly through neighborhoods and there may be traffic delays. We encourage residents to use alternative routes as needed. Sirens and horns will be used occasionally. For more information on which areas of the city will be visited each day, visit www.playfishers.com/PawPatrol 96TH STREET ALLISONVILLE ROAD 116TH STREET PLEASANT VIEW & SWEET BRIAR SUBDIVISION MUNICIPAL DRIVE SOUTH STREET LANTERN ROAD
KEEP FISHERS DPW SAFE
Road construction continues around Fishers, so please remember to slow down and drive carefully around road workers. Watch here to see our DPW crew talk about worker safety.
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Andrea Davis named HAND Executive Director
The HAND Board of Directors has announced Friday the promotion of Andrea Davis to executive director of the nonprofit organization. HAND’s mission is promoting affordable housing in Hamilton County.
Davis has served as interim executive director for several months before being named to the post permanently. She joined the staff of HAND in 2016.
“We are excited with the progress that both Andrea and Rebekah have made in continuing HAND’s mission,” Board Chairman Keith Broadnax said of the appointments, approved May 14. “If there was ever a need for affordable housing, it is now. We are committed to continuing to serve the affordable housing needs of our families and communities.”
Interim Deputy Director Rebekah Metzger has been named Development Director. This signifies a shift made by the HAND organization to emphasize the ongoing focus on neighborhood and community development.
Before being named the executive director, Ms. Davis recorded a podcast interview with me that can be heard at this link.
Podcast: Larry’s Log – May 14, 2020 Fishers & mental health in the coronavirus era
Fishers has had a program aimed at improving mental health since transitioning from a town to a city. COVID-19 is bringing even more urgency to mental health treatments. Here is tonight’s Log
Podcast: Andrea Davis, Interim Executive Director of HAND, talks affordable housing and a new grant
The local Hamilton County nonprofit group HAND, which promotes affordable housing throughout the county, has just been awarded a $150,000 COVID-19 grant from the United Way for those struggling with their rent payments. All the details have not been worked out, but HAND’s Interim Executive Director Andrea Davis says her organization will be working with the local township trustees to help their clients in rent payment issues.
I talked about that, and other local housing issues, with Andrea Davis in this podcast.
Podcast: Larry’s Log May 13, 2020 As state revenue falls, HSE Schools prepare for the worst
The business shutdowns due to the novel coronavirus pandemic is reeking havoc on state budgets, and Indiana is not immune. With falling state tax receipts, HSE Schools are bracing for lower state funding. Also, library buildings may be closed locally, but you cand get curb side service.
Podcast: Larry’s Log May 12, 2020 Indiana’s reputation is at stake – what will leaders do?
Jim Lucas is a Republican member of the Indiana House from Seymour. He has been the subject of controversy over his social media posts that many consider racist. It appears he has done it again, and the leaders of the Indiana House now must decide what to do.
Podcast: Larry’s Log May 11, 2020 Indiana opens up, with a great deal of care
This is the day many in Indiana have been awaiting….the day when Phase 2 of the governor’s plan to slowly reopen the state to business is here.
Hair salons, barber shops and restaurants are allowed to open, but under strict health guidelines. With the danger of a second coronavirus wave, everyone is working to stay within the health guidelines.
Here is my Larry’s Log commentary, about that and more.
Fishers announces the names of small business loan recipients
The City of Fishers announced that 73 of 93 applicants will receive loans from a special city program to assist small businesses gearing-up for reopening, after weeks of being closed due to the novel coronavirus. In a podcast posted last Friday, Fishers Director of Economic Development Megan Baumgartner told LarryInFishers that the city planned to announce the operations approved for the loan, but would not disclose the amount each business received in loan proceeds.
The loan fund totaled $500,000, with no single loan exceeding $15,000. Baumgartner said only a handful of loans were the maximum $15,000, with most in the range of of $7,500.
Here is the listing of businesses receiving a loan:
Air-Tan
Alliance Chiropractic
Ancerra Corporation
As You Wish Cleaning, LLC
b chic hair design & boutique/the gypsy nest boutique
Best Choice Fieldhouse
BIG APPLE BAGELS
Blush Salon Boutique
BRAND PHOTODESIGN
British Swim School Hamilton County
Cafe Korea
Camp Cheeney Creek
Castillo Massage and Skincare Studio
Crofton Consulting Group Inc
CrossFit West Geist
Cynthia’s Hallmark
DRA, Inc
Dragonfly Salon
Elaine’s Salon
Envy Salon and Spa
Fidelis Remodeling Group, Corp.
Fishers Cryotherapy
Fit Chicks!
Focal Point Marketing
Geist Nails
High Frequency Arts
Home4Birth
Imavex, LLC
IMPACT MINIATURES
Indiana Lien Inc.
Jack’s Donuts Fishers
K Nails Spa
Karen Marshall NAET
Kateen’s Floral Designs
Korave LLC
Learnovation, LLC
Little Explorers Preschool
LIVRITE FITNESS
LouVino
Man Cave Collectibles
Midwest Balloon Rides
MindBlowing Hair Salon LLC
Natural State Provisions LLC
New King Chef Inc.
Nix Real Estate Group
Patient Care services team
Pearl Street Pizzeria & Pub
Personal Training Fitness Studio
Platinum Partners, LLC
Power Body Language LLC
Prairie Guest House
Progressive Eyecare
Reliable Contractors, Inc.
ROI Search Group
Runners Forum
Salon Seven
Samano’s
Seal Now
Simply Smile Dentistry
SmartStyle Salons
State of Grace Boutique
Studio 510
The Lash Lounge Fishers
The MAX Challenge of Fishers
Time Walk Wedding Video
Tire Central and Service
Travel Leaders Indianapolis
TUTOR DOCTOR INDY
Valor 3 LLC
Walker Dentistry pc
Wedding Officiant Indianapolis
Wishes Dance Studio
Your DOT Experts, LLC
Fishers District gears up for reopening
Mayor Scott Fadness worked with the real estate firm Thompson Thrift to create a concept that was originally named The Yard but is now called Fishers District. It is coming together as a culinary district with some other service operations.
Fishers District got out to a very good start. All the new eateries were busy and new restaurants were opening on a regular basis. Then the novel coronavirus entered the picture and restaurants closed their indoor dining, with many offering carry-out service only.
We received word Monday morning that Fishers District is beginning to open up again, with the restrictions in place by the State of Indiana.
Below is the full news release from Thompson-Thrift.
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Thompson Thrift Retail Group, a business unit of Indianapolis based Thompson Thrift and owners of Fishers District in Fishers, Ind., announced today the reopening of the mixed-use development featuring a variety of restaurants, retail and service-oriented businesses.
“This has been a challenging time for businesses of all kinds,” said Ashlee Boyd, managing partner with Thompson Thrift Retail Group. “While the pandemic has wreaked havoc across the country, our restaurant and retail partners have stayed the course by continuing to provide area residents with ways to shop and dine outside of what was the norm. Getting back to business and supporting our center partners is now our priority.”
The first phase of Fishers District tenants opened to the public in October 2019 and quickly gained popularity with residents and visitors. When restaurants and retailers open their doors on May 11, some will do so for the first time.
“Havana Lounge is excited to finally open its doors to host and entertain our customers. The decision to open is not entirely economical. We have a social and moral obligation to fulfill a need and serve the community,” stated Omar Barham, president and owner of Havana Lounge. “Even at halfway normal basis, we need to get back to enjoying each other and celebrating humanity again.”
Other popular restaurants such as HC Grille, 1933 Lounge, 101 Beer Kitchen, Sun King, and Sangiovese, to name a few, will reopen at limited capacity and will continue offering takeout and curbside pick-up options.
“Sun King is excited to welcome guests back to our Fishers Tap Room to enjoy fresh local beer alongside food from the Fishers Test Kitchen,” said Clay Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Sun King Brewery & Spirits. “We have put into place additional cleaning and sanitization measures, as well as spaced out our tables to give guests lots of room for social distancing. In addition, we will continue to offer online and call ahead ordering, as well as ‘to your trunk delivery’ for our customers who prefer that option.”
As part of the reopening plan, each tenant will operate within the CDC recommended guidelines and Phase II guidelines as set forth by the local and state authorities. While the approach may vary, each business is acutely aware of the expectations for keeping employees and patrons safe.
“As the landlord, it is our responsibility to assist our tenants in this transition,” states Brad Bisser, senior vice president of property management for Thompson Thrift Retail Group. “We continue to communicate daily with the businesses at Fishers District on their opening plans and how we can operate the center within the guidelines of the new norm.”
While the common areas of the project will be open to the public, store and restaurant hours and capacity will vary. Guests can visit fishersdistrict.com for a list of tenants, store websites and additional information regarding capacity.
The Mark at Fishers District, the multifamily luxury leased apartments, will also reopen for tours of their apartment homes and amenities.
“The Mark originally opened for tours at Fisher District in March,” stated Aimee O’Connor, senior vice president of property management for Watermark Residential. “Due to COVID-19, we had to go to virtual tours. Now that we can reopen, we are excited to welcome potential new residents to our community at Fishers District.”
In these unprecedented times, the restaurants, retailers, and service providers at Fishers
District are still providing the services you’ve always enjoyed, only in a different way. Please support local. Visit these business websites for the latest in openings and operating hours.
FishersDistrict.com
• 101 BEER KITCHEN
101BeerKitchen.com
(317) 537-2041
• 1933 LOUNGE
1933Lounge.com
(317) 758-1933
• BLUE PEPPERMINT BOUTIQUE
ShopBluePeppermint.com
(317) 436-7082
• CYCLEBAR
CycleBar.com
(317) 284-1525
• FISHERS TEST KITCHEN
FishersTestKitchen.com
(317) 953-6400
• HC TAVERN + KITCHEN
AtTheHC.com
(317) 530-4242
• HAVANA CIGAR LOUNGE
HavanaCigarLounge.vip
(317) 597-7777
• HYATT PLACE | HYATT HOUSE
Hyatt.com
(317) 288-4188
• KINCAID’S MEAT MARKET
KincaidsMeatMarket.com
(317) 537-2207
• KISS KISS BANG BANG SALON
KKBBSalon.com
(317) 915-0100
• THE MARK AT FISHERS DISTRICT
TheMarkAtFishersDistrict.com
(317) 436-1218
• MASSAGE HEIGHTS
MassageHeights.com
(317) 830-3157
• RISE’N ROLL BAKERY
RisenRoll.com
(317) 845-5533
• RIZE
Rize-Restaurant.com
(317) 516-4838
• SANGIOVESE
SangioveseRistorante.com
(317) 219-6413
• SUN KING FISHERS
SunKingBrewing.com
(317) 436-1926
• TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ
TropicalSmoothieCafe.com
(317) 288-0585
• VERIZON
VerizonWireless.com
(317) 567-2489
OPENING SOON:
BIBIBOP ASIAN GRILL
CELL PHONE REPAIR
ENGEL & VÖLKERS
EPIC INTERVAL TRAINING
THE HOT ROOM
NICEY FROZEN TREATS
PEACE WATER WINERY
PET PEOPLE
SHAKE SHACK
ZIPS DRY CLEANERS