Fishers City Council voted 6-2 on Monday to approve a project contract for Envoy Inc.’s proposed $ 52 million mixed-use development on 106th Street and Lantern Road.
Envoy Inc., a Fishers-based development and construction company, plans to build 280 homes and 23,400 square feet of commercial space on vacant lots near the 106th Street / Interstate 69 interchange in Fishers.
Prior to the vote, the council’s review of the Highline project and a proposed $ 10.13 million developer-backed bond to fund the development led to discussion of the role of Envoy CEO Scott Baldwin in the project . In 2020, Baldwin was elected to represent District 20 in the Indiana Senate – a district that includes Fishers.
Councilor Jocelyn Vare, who had voted against the project agreement, asked if the Fishers council and residents had been given enough time to consider the proposal, which became public just last week. Vare also asked whether the project should be eligible for tax increase funding. As part of the agreement, the city would take out a bond that will be repaid over 25 years using the TIF proceeds.
“I only found out about this project three days ago,” said Vare, one of two Democrats on the council. “I don’t know why that was, but I find it unacceptable.”
In addition to the lack of time to get feedback from local residents, Vare said the agreement wasn’t transparent enough to mention Baldwin’s involvement.
Councilor John Weingardt said he was pleased with the Senator’s role on the project and reminded the public that there will be an additional public review when the highline goes through the required rezoning process. He promoted Baldwin’s previous service with the United States Marines Corp. and Army Reserve, as well as for his time with local law enforcement.
“I look to someone like this who is an entrepreneur in the community; he’s an elected official and I wish there were more like him, ”he said.
Weingardt also pointed to other Envoy developments in downtown Fishers as evidence of the Highline Project’s potential. These projects include The Edge, a 62,000-square-foot mixed-use building and parking garage on 116th Street and Lantern Road, and Spark, another mixed-use project with more than 200 apartments, a parking garage and retail space.
Crystal Neumann, the council’s other Democrat, also voted against the agreement. She told IBJ that she voted against the agreement because she spoke with the developer about adding composting, solar panels, and other green infrastructure to the project, but the agreement didn’t include those features.
Steve Hardin, an attorney who represents Envoy, said the project will bring a missing element to Delaware Park. He said Envoy’s highline could add a campus feel to the area with walkability and commercial offerings.
Fishers-based Envoy, Inc. is planning a $ 52 million mixed-use project on the southwest corner of 106th Street and Lantern Road. (Image courtesy of the City of Fischer)
In addition to a multi-purpose path running right through the park, the project provides for an outdoor event area with heating and a stage. If approved, the project could be completed by mid-August 2023.
“It’s a wonderful property for the city to attract new businesses and new employees,” said Hardin.
Two residents of Fishers spoke out against the project.
David Giffel said he would prefer the developer to find the project on previously developed property that is currently uninhabited rather than taking advantage of pristine land. He also said that residents were promised that the area would be developed with corporate headquarters rather than high-density housing developments.
“I don’t like this apartment complex, especially the $ 10 million incentive,” said Giffel. “If it’s luxury apartments why not ask a little more and do it organically.”