ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Best Places to Live
America’s best small towns
2013
18 Westfield, IN Top 50 rank: 18 Population: 31,857 Westfield is a great town that's in the midst of getting even better. The biggest current project is the $45 million Grand Park, a massive 400-acre sports campus with dozens of athletic fields and two indoor facilities, which is expected to bring new jobs and spark tourism.
Westfield Rocks the 4th (Grand Junction)
The town is also currently adding 80 miles to area bike trails and kicking off the Grand Junction Park and Plaza project, a mixed-use development intended to bring new life to Westfield's minimal downtown. --H.L.
Best Places to Live
America’s best small towns
2011
48 Westfield, IN Top 100 rank: 48 Population: 26,100 Though Westfield is 20 miles from Indianapolis, residents have many job options right in town; major employers include Indiana Mills & Manufacturing and Porter Engineering Systems. The town’s schools are among the best in the state; local high schoolers’ SAT scores rank in the top 10% of the country.
2010 Grand Junction Derby
Among its annual events is the Grand Junction Derby, the town’s version of the Indianapolis 500 in which residents race homemade soap-box cars. There will soon be even more to do here: Westfield recently started construction on a 300-acre youth sports campus. --D.B.
Grand Park Sports Campus Ground Breaking
Westfield Blossoms Mural by Blice Edwards
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STATISTICS
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
1st QUARTER (1Q) 2013 SNAPSHOT The Westfield Economic and Community Development Department includes: Matt Skelton, Jennifer Miller, Chad Spitznagle, Paul Acord, Ryan Clark, Keeli Cox, Andrew Murray, Jesse Pohlman, Sarah Reed, Jack Spaulding, and Kevin Todd.
CITY OF WESTFIELD 1Q2013 NOTABLE EVENTS:
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Union Street Flats
January: The Grand Park Sports Campus was introduced as one of the largest soccer facilities in the country at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Annual Convention in Indianapolis on January 17-19.
• 6 multi-family building permits issued in 1Q2013 * Total of 64 units * $6,900,384 estimated value of improvements
February: The City named a new Fire Chief, Captain Jason Lemons [top] and a new Public Works Director, Ken Alexander [bottom].
1Q2013 Advisory Plan Commission (“APC”) Fillings: • APC filings increased 47% over 1Q2009 - the highest number of filings in the 1Q over the past 5 years. • 3 Primary Plats were filed - no Primary Plats were filed in 1Q2012. • 7 Secondary Plats were filed - 1 Secondary Plat was filed in1Q2012. * Residential Secondary Plats: Residential Secondary Plats filed in 1Q2013 include 2 sections in Viking Meadows and 2 phases of Keenland Park * Commercial Secondary Plats: Commercial Secondary Plats filed in 1Q2013 include Sundown Gardens, Bridgewater Marketplace, and Epiphany Evangelical Church. • 5 Development Plan Reviews (“DPR”) were filed - 2 were filed in 1Q2012. The residential DPR filings include Keenland Park, Kalorama Park, and Bridgewater Apartments. The non-residential DPR filings include Christian Brothers [concept below] and the High School Athletic Complex.
1Q Advisory Plan Commission Filings 25
20
15 15
12
10
5
2009
1Q2013 Improvement Value: A reported $31 Million in estimated value of improvements which is 29% of the total value of improvements for the total of ALL permits issued in 2012. • Single-Family Residential New Home Starts accounted for 72% of the $31 Million in 1Q2013 • Multiple-Family Residential [Union Street Flats] accounted for 22% of the $31 Million in 1Q2013 1Q2013 Permit Increases: • 115 Total Permits - an 88% increase over 1Q2012. • 8 Commercial Remodel Permits - 4 were filed in1Q2012. (Include: Thermo-scan, Max IT Healthcare, St. Vincent Medical Group, Ulta Beauty, Marco’s Pizza, Banc Serve, Burger King, Westfield Park and Recreation Programming Building) • 87 New Single-Family housing starts - an 85% increase over 1Q2012. 1Q2013 Top 3 Subdivisions: 63% of all new single-family housing starts issued 1) Viking Meadows - 24 permits 2) Maple Knoll - 19 permits 3) Bridgewater - 12 permits
2010
2011
2012
2013
1Q Single-Family Residential New Home Starts
87
74
50
25
Year
Number of Permits
100
10
8
75
BUILDING
Number of Filings
22
39
46
47
2011
2012
0
2009
2010
2013
Year
1Q Total Value of Permits
40
31 30
20
16
10
15 10
8
Estimated Value in Millions
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
March: INDOT held a Public Open House on March 12th and highlighted the following with respect to the City of Westfield: • 2013 Construction will include 146th Street to 169th Street • US 31 from SR 32 to 191st Street will be under construction in 2014 with target completion in 2015
0
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1Q2013 NOTABLE EVENTS: Jesse Pohlman joined the Economic and Community Development team as a Senior Planner. Kevin Todd completed the Indiana Economic Development Course at Ball State University. Matt Skelton and Jennifer Miller completed the first year curriculum of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. City of Westfield ◊ Economic and Community Development Department ◊ 2728 East 171st Street ◊ Westfield, IN 46074 ◊ www.westfield.in.gov
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
2nd QUARTER (2Q) 2013 SNAPSHOT The Westfield Economic and Community Development Department includes: Matt Skelton, Jennifer Miller, Chad Spitznagle, Paul Acord, Ryan Clark, Andrew Murray, Jesse Pohlman, Sarah Reed, Jack Spaulding, Kevin Todd, and Nancy Woerner.
CITY OF WESTFIELD 2Q2013 NOTABLE EVENTS:
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Grand Park
May: • Grand Park Boulevard, the main drive through the Grand Park Sports Campus, was paved. • The City hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for the new Parks and Recreation Programming Center located at 330 E. Main Street.
• 8 soccer fields have been seeded. • Construction has begun for the 52 dugouts. • Construction of the maintenance and storage buildings and concession stands are expected to begin next quarter. • Approximately 35% of the pedestrian pathways have been paved. • Pedestals have been installed for the pathway lighting. • Materials for the field lighting has been delivered and assembly/installation has started.
Improvement Value: A reported $80.9 Million in estimated value of improvements for YTD 2013. • Single-Family Residential new home starts accounted for 61% of the $80.9 Million in 2013. • The 13 new Commercial permits accounted for 18% of the $80.9 Million in 2013. • The final 4 Union Street Flats [Multi-Family Residential] permits accounted for 6% of the $80.9 Million in 2013. Permit Increases: • 287 Total Permits issued YTD which is a 58% increase over 2012. * 13 Commercial Permits - issued in 2Q2013. * 5 Commercial Remodel Permits - issued in 2Q2013. 2013 Top 3 Subdivisions: 64% of the 184 new single-family housing starts issued in YTD 2013. 1) Viking Meadows - 50 permits 2) Bridgewater - 35 permits 3) Maple Knoll - 32 permits
YTD Advisory Plan Commission Filings 47 40
30
24
20 20
26
Number of Filings
50
18 10
2009
200.0
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
YTD Single-Family Residential New Home Starts 184
162.5
135
136 119
125.0
91 87.5
Number of Permits
Advisory Plan Commission (“APC”) Fillings: • The 47 year to date (“YTD”) APC filings is an 80.8% increase over 2012. • 2Q2013 is the highest quarterly number of filings in the past 5 years (25). • 7 Planned Unit Developments (PUD’s) have been filed YTD and 6 PUD’s were filed through the same time period in 2012. * 2Q2013 filings include: 2 amendments to existing PUD’s and 2 new PUD’s (Enclave and Springs at Viking Meadows PUD and Village Park Plaza PUD). • 18 Secondary Plats have been filed YTD and 5 Secondary Plats were filed through the same time period in 2012. * 2Q2013 Residential Secondary Plats: Spring Orchard in Springmill Trails, 2 sections in Maple Village, a section in Oak Manor, Redwood at Andover, a section in Viking Meadows, and the Maples at Springmill. * 2Q2013 Commercial Secondary Plats: BPIC Bierman ABA (school for autism), Magnolia Springs, a section in the Bridgewater Marketplace, Custom Commerce Park, and the Henke Center Plat at US 31 and SR 32. • 10 Development Plan Reviews (“DPR”) have been filed YTD and 5 were filed through the same time period in 2012. * 2Q2013 Residential DPR: Redwood at Andover Apartments * 2Q2013 Commercial DPR’s: Taco Bell [concept at right], Weas Engineering, Tim’s Shooting Academy, and the Village Park Plaza Elevation update.
50.0
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
YTD Total Value of Improvements 90
80.9
70
50
30
42.7 29.2
38.3 29.5
Estimated Value in Millions
BUILDING
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
June: Bermuda grass seeding began on the soccer fields at Grand Park.
10
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 2Q2013 NOTABLE EVENTS: Sarah Reed graduated from the Hamilton County Leadership Academy.
Jack Spaulding completed the International Residential Code (IRC) Mechanical Code Course.
The Economic and Community Development Department attended the American Planning Association National Conference.
City of Westfield ◊ Economic and Community Development Department ◊ 2728 East 171st Street ◊ Westfield, IN 46074 ◊ www.westfield.in.gov
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
3rd QUARTER (3Q) 2013 SNAPSHOT The Westfield Economic and Community Development Department includes: Matt Skelton, Jennifer Miller, Chad Spitznagle, Paul Acord, Ryan Clark, Andrew Murray, Jesse Pohlman, Sarah Reed, Kevin Todd, and Nancy Woerner.
CITY OF WESTFIELD 3Q2013 NOTABLE EVENTS:
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Taco Bell
• July 23rd: Wellbrooke of Westfield had its grand opening. • August 12th: Grand Junction Implementation Plan was adopted by Council. • September: * Westfield was ranked by CNN Money as one of the Best Places to Live, America’s best small towns [#1 in Indiana and #18 in the Country]. * Erin Verplank joined the City as the Communications Director [pictured right].
• An estimated $550,000 in improvement value. • 2,640 square foot of building area. • 1,500 square foot of outdoor seating area under a natural wood pergola.
GRAND PARK UPDATE:
42 40
31 30
23
25
20
2009
300
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
YTD Single-Family Residential New Home Starts 294
250
224
200
150
Number of Filings
59
50
181
196
153
Number of Permits
Improvement Value: A reported $123.1 Million in estimated value of improvements for YTD 2013. • Single-family residential new home starts accounted for 65.9% of the $123.1 Million in 2013. • The 17 new commercial permits accounted for 16.4% of the $123.1 Million in 2013. • The 15 Multi-family residential permits accounted for 10% of the $123.1 Million in 2013. Permit Increases: A total of 445 permits have been issued YTD. At the end of 3Q2013 the City is 25 permits away from the total issued in all of 2012. * 4 Commercial Permits - issued in 3Q2013. $5.8 Million * 7 Commercial Remodel Permits - issued in 3Q2013. $3.1 Million 2013 Top 3 Subdivisions: 62% of the 294 new single-family housing starts issued YTD 2013. At the end of 3Q2013 the City is 6 permits away from the total single-family starts issued in all of 2012. 1) Viking Meadows - 79 permits 2) Bridgewater - 56 permits 3) Maple Knoll - 48 permits
YTD Advisory Plan Commission Filings 60
100
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
YTD Total Value of Improvements 130
123 100
70
45 40
73 55
58
2010
2011
Estimated Value in Millions
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Advisory Plan Commission (“APC”) Fillings: • The 59 year to date (“YTD”) APC filings are a 40.5% increase over 2012. • 2 Comprehensive Plan Amendments have been filed YTD. The 3Q2013 filings include: * Grand Junction Implementation Plan 2013 * Thoroughfare Plan Addendum 2013 • 9 Planned Unit Developments (PUD’s)/PUD Amendments have been filed YTD. * 3Q2013 filings include: 2 amendments to existing PUD’s (the Andover PUD and the Viking Meadows PUD) • 22 Secondary Plats have been filed YTD. * 3Q2013 Residential Secondary Plats: Kalorama Park, Viking Meadows Meadowlands - Section 5, and Waters Edge - Section 2 * 3Q2013 Commercial Secondary Plats: Nature’s Cottage • 12 Development Plan Reviews (“DPR”) have been filed YTD. * 3Q2013 Residential DPR: Waters Edge - Section 2 * 3Q2013 Commercial DPR’s: Bagger Dave’s
BUILDING
• Construction of the two maintenance and storage buildings has begun (one for soccer and one for baseball). • Parking lot paving and sports field lighting started in 3Q2013. • Construction of the concession stands started in 3Q2013.
10
2009
2012
2013
Year
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 3Q2013 NOTABLE EVENTS: Ryan Clark entered into the Hamilton County Leadership Academy.
The Department participated in the Meals on Wheels Bowl-A-Thon fund raiser.
Jesse Pohlman and Sarah Reed attended the “Sell Our Cities” event hosted by Hamilton County division of MIBOR.
City of Westfield ◊ Economic and Community Development Department ◊ 2728 East 171st Street ◊ Westfield, IN 46074 ◊ www.westfield.in.gov
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
2012 YEAR END REPORT
The Westfield Community Development Department includes: Building, Planning, and Economic Development. Team members include: Matt Skelton, Jennifer Miller, Chad Spitznagle, Paul Acord, Ryan Clark, Keeli Cox, Andrew Murray, Sarah Reed, Jack Spaulding, and Kevin Todd. The information presented here highlights the activities of the group over the 2012 calendar year.
CITY OF WESTFIELD 2012 NOTABLE EVENTS: US 31 Major Moves: The SR 38 interchange was completed, utility relocation work began at 161st Street, INDOT continued rightof-way acquisition, and approximately 1/ 2 of the 146th Street interchange ramps were completed.
August 3, 2012: J.C. Hart held a ground breaking ceremony for Union Street Flats at Grand Junction, the 237-unit apartment community in Downtown Westfield.
On November 5, the Westfield City Council adopted an ordinance supporting the disposition of the Water and Wastewater Utilities.
November 3, 2012: The City hosted Grand Park Community Day, which included bus tours guided by City Staff and Henke Development as well as tethered hot air balloon rides for a “birds eye” view of the park. Sponsors included BMO Harris Bank and St. Vincent Hospital.
Grand Park: Three rezoning petitions created approximately 240 acres for commercial and multiple-family development adjacent to Grand Park. US 31 Major Moves: The Economic and Community Development Department received seven filings, in response to and preparation for the relocation of businesses, due to the US 31 Major Moves Project. Advisory Plan Commission (“APC”) Fillings: In 2012, APC filings increased 68% over 2011. The City experienced the highest number of filings since 2006 (before the collapse of the U.S. real estate market). PUD Ordinances/Amendments: 13 PUD Ordinances/Amendments were filed in 2012. Of the 13 filings, 7 were adopted, 5 are still in process, and 1 was withdrawn. Adopted by the City Council: 178 single-family residential lots (Keenland Park) 1035 multiple-family residential units (Grand Park Village) 158 acres of commercial (Grand Park Village and Hall and House) In Process: 758 single-family residential lots (Towne West & Harmony) 270 multiple-family residential units (Harmony) 158 acres of commercial (Towne West, Harmony, Springmill Corner)
BUILDING
The total value of improvements for all building permits reported in 2012 was $106,737,770, a 44% increase over 2011. Permit Increases: • 24 Commercial Remodel permits in 2012, an increase of 60% from 2011. • 65 Demolition permits in 2012 (49 due to the US 31 Major Moves Project). This is a significant increase from 11 demolition permits in 2011 2012 Top 3 Subdivisions: (equals 72% of all new single-family housing starts) 1) Maple Knoll - 81 permits 2) Viking Meadows - 74 permits 3) Bridgewater - 57 permits
62.5
60
62
Number of Filings
Residential Secondary Plats: Residential Secondary Plats recorded in 2012 included 170 single-family residential lots and 489 multiple-family units.
Advisory Plan Commission Filings 75.0
2012
Year
54
50.0
40 37.5
37
34 25.0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Single-Family Residential New Home Starts 400
402
350
300 300
252
254 250
233
200
181
150
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Year
Total Value of Permits
150 130
Number of Permits
PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Subdivision Control Ordinance was amended to require the platting of non-residential development projects (April 9).
144 107
110 90
75
70 50
74
74
2010
2011
Estimated Value in Millions
Mainstreet Property Group began construction of a $13.5 million skilled nursing facility located on 7.5 acres adjacent to Grand Park.
50 2007
2008
2009
2012
Year
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 2012 NOTABLE EVENTS: The Community Development Department changed its name to the “Economic and Community Development Department” to more accurately reflect the work performed. Chad Spitznagle was hired as the Building Commissioner in order to respond to and prepare for new growth and development in the Community.
Department Accomplishments: Jennifer Miller completed the first year of the Ball State University, Bowen Center for Public Affairs Managers Program in August 2012 and is now a Certified Public Supervisor.
Four successful Facade Improvement Grant Program projects were completed: Westfield Pharmacy, Hobson Insurance, Gemini General Contracting, LLC, and the Andrew Murray graduated from the Hamilton Heart and Soul Clinic. County Leadership Academy. City of Westfield ◊ Economic and Community Development Department ◊ 2728 East 171st Street ◊ Westfield, IN 46074 ◊ www.westfield.in.gov
CURRENT IN WESTFIELD ARTICLES
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Construction boom Building permits reach historical highs / P9
Underwater photographer/ P2 ••• 4-H Fair fever / P4 ••• Indy Jazz Fest comes north / P13
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COMMUNITY
Current in Westfield
www.currentinwestfield.com
9
Planning & Economic Development
Construction boom Building permits reach historical highs
By Robert Herrington • robert@youarecurrent.com If the first two quarters of 2013 are any indicator, Westfield is poised to see a spurt of economic growth in the cover story coming years as the community development department has approved the most building permits in the city’s history. Economic and Community Development Director Matthew Skelton said 287 permits have been issued from Jan. 1 through July 1 with 184 of those being issued for single-family homes. “It’s almost two-thirds of the permits with others being commercial, retail, build-outs and pools. Since 2009 we’ve doubled (year-to-date new home starts),” he said, adding at this time last year only 135 new home permits were issued. “It’s a faster rate than anybody expected them. Every major Indianapolis single-family builder is doing business up here.” Even more impressive is the total value of improvements from all permits. Skelton said almost $81 million of self-reported improvement have been made this year. Compared to July 1, 2012, it is an increase of more than $42 million. “Things are happening quickly which is good news,” he said. “It’s a guesstimate of how we are doing. The reported value we have processed is one way we gauge the health of our local economy. It’s twice as much, and that’s remarkable.” “It means it’s not only in specialized areas of downtown and Grand Park, but all over the entire community,” Mayor Andy Cook said. Skelton said the average length of time for major projects being issued a permit to starting construction is a year and a half as planning, review, approval and financing take place. “2014 will be a plan-review marathon and 2015 a construction marathon,” he said. “There’s a lot of construction here anyway, but I’m talking about private development… 2015 will be a big
construction year. Our inspectors will earn their money.” “Everything we’ve planned for the past five years has been about quality growth and diversifying the tax base,” Cook said. While most permits issued this year will likely be under construction next year, Skelton said there are major projects underway in Westfield. “Village Park Plaza is getting a major facelift,” he said. “They are enhancing that and modernizing that by revamping and retooling stores. It’ll be tidied up by the holidays.”
Grand Park will be an economic catalyst once it opens in April. Skelton said grass is growing on the playing fields and the Wheeler Road extension was recently completed. Plans are underway for Grand Park Village and other commercial growth. “A lot of things have to be done before things come out of the ground,” Skelton said. “It’ll pick up significantly, especially with the Grand Park area.” “There’s a lot of interest in hospitality. That area is going to explode because of the number of visitors,” Cook said. Another area of concentrated growth is the Ind. 32 corridor. Skelton said this area stretches across Westfield from Springmill Road to Carey Road. “There’s a lot of tire kicking,” he said. “If inquiries are any indication of interest, which I think they are, the Ind. 32 corridor is really heating up. We’re happy about that. We’ve been planning for the development of that corridor for many, many years.” Skelton described the impending U.S. 31-Ind. 32 intersection construction as a “double-edged sword.” “I’d be surprised if any of the four corners begin development until the intersection is completed,” he said. “It’s keeping them from starting the process. The time to start planning those corners is now.” Economic growth is not contained to major highways in the city. Skelton said 146th Street is also showing growth on Gray Road at Bridgewater Marketplace and on Carey Road at Magnolia Springs. “We’re doing well and better (with commercial development), but not close to where I want,” Skelton said. What do construction and permits mean to the average citizen? In addition to improving the quality of life with additional amenities, Skelton said the goal of economic growth is lowering “how much you pay in taxes.”
Advisory Plan Commission Filings: • The 47 year-to-date APC filings is an 80.8 percent increase over 2012. • Second quarter 2013 is the highest quarterly number of filings in the past five years (25). • Seven Planned Unit Developments have been filed YTD and six PUD’s were filed through the same time period in 2012. • Second quarter 2013 filings include two amendments to existing PUD’s and two new developments (Enclave and Springs at Viking Meadows, and Village Park Plaza). • 18 Secondary Plats have been filed YTD and five secondary plats were filed through the same time period last year. • Second quarter 2013 Residential Secondary Plats: Spring Orchard in Springmill Trails, two sections in Maple Village, a section in Oak Manor, Redwood at Andover, a section in Viking Meadows, and the Maples at Springmill. • Second quarter 2013 Commercial Secondary Plats: BPIC Bierman ABA (school for autism), Magnolia Springs, a section in the Bridgewater Marketplace, Custom Commerce Park, and the Henke Center Plat at U.S. 31 and Ind. 32. • 10 Development Plan Reviews have been filed YTD and five were filed through the same period in 2012. • Second quarter 2013 Residential DPR: Redwood at Andover Apartments • Second quarter 2013 Commercial DPR’s: Taco Bell, Weas Engineering, Tim’s Shooting Academy, and the Village Park Plaza Elevation update.
Building
Improvement value: A reported $80.9 million in estimated value of improvements for yearto-date 2013. • Singe-family residential new home starts accounted for 61 percent of the $80.9 million. • The 13 new commercial permits accounted for 18 percent of the $80.9 million. • The final four Union Street Flats (multifamily residential) permits accounted for 6 percent of the $80.9 million. Permit increases: 287 total permits have been issued YTD, which is a 58 percent increase over 2012. • 13 commercial permits were issued in second quarter 2013. • Five commercial remodel permits were issued in second quarter 2013 2013 Top three subdivisions: 64 percent of the 184 new single-family housing starts issued in YTD 2013: 1. Viking Meadows – 50 permits 2. Bridgewater – 35 permits 3. Maple Knoll – 32 permits
“The strategy is to lower tax bills, but it doesn’t happen in one year,” he said. “The lessening of tax impact on individuals is not immediate. It’s a trickle-down effect and takes time to be realized. It’s not that direct.”
Tuesday June 25, 2013
Library expansion begins / P3 ••• Westfield marketplace opens to vendors, public / P7 ••• Summer movie series heats up / P20
GRAND JUNCTION Park will serve as a catalyst for development / P12
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June 25, 2013
COMMUNITY
Current in Westfield
www.currentinwestfield.com
Artist’s renderings illustrate the concept of the proposed Grand Junction project. (Submitted photos)
Park will serve as a catalyst for development By Robert Herrington • robert@youarecurrent.com Westfield has three current projects that will shape the city’s landscape for the future. Grand Park, the campus designed to be cover story a premier sports destination for the whole family, is in its final stages and will open next year. The U.S. 31 Major Moves project nears it final two years as construction heads north from 146th Street and site work begins at the U.S. 31-Ind. 32 intersection. And the third massive project in Westfield is Grand Junction Park and Plaza, a 120-acre programmable space for all seasons south of Jersey Street between Mill and South Union streets. Grand Junction is envisioned to include trails, wetlands, a sledding hill, plazas, an arts garden, a water play area, a nature play area, a great lawn, a performance venue, a play lawn and a vendor area. “It’s a programmable and functional park,” parks director Melody Jones said. “It fits in real well with Grand Park. People coming to tournament games need something to do.” Officials said the focus of Grand Junction is to create a place for connections so downtown Jones will be the heartbeat of the city, pumping new energy in every direction. “I’m amazed how many people don’t know where downtown Westfield is. We have an identity problem in Westfield,” Downtown Westfield Association Executive Director Ken Kingshill said. “There’s no courthouse square or municipal complex. No place in our downtown that could Kingshill be considered a hub… (When Grand Junction is completed) there’s always something going on there. That is where the fun is.” In addition to connecting family with friends, nature, history and popular regional trails, roadways and waterways, Grand Junction will provide places to dine and shop. Development is planned for retail, restaurants, office space and residences. “Grand Junction is a catalyst for economic development,” Kingshill said. Grand Junction also will be the connecting point of the Anna Kendall and Midland Trace Trails, allowing for access to Westfield’s complete trail system and other points of interest throughout the community. Pedestrian-friendly streets will invite visitors and
Grand Junction master plan
residents alike to explore both the park and plaza and area restaurants and shops. “There’s nowhere else in the state of Indiana where two major trails intersect,” Jones said. “We want to maximize the space for citizens to utilize.” The city demolished the first property it acquired for Grand Junction during the Christmas season. Jones said that to date, the city has purchased eight homes and demolished two at 135 Park St. and 110/112 Jersey St. She said the other six will be demolished later this summer. “Three others have purchase agreements; two will be bought in 2014 and one is closing in 2015,” Jones said. “The city has acquired almost a block and a half of the old downtown area.” The city began purchasing land in 2011. To date, Jones said the city had spent $962,401 to buy the land, test for asbestos and perform demolition. The remaining properties’ appraised values totaled $1,169,425. “None of it came from taxpayers,” she said, adding funds were used from bond proceeds, TIF funding and park impact fees. “If we had the funding, we’d probably have all the properties now.” While the city purchases and clears land, one major obstacle must be removed before construction can begin.
Land aquisition map
A significant area of land in downtown Westfield falls within the floodplain of the Anna Kendall, Cool Creek and Thompson waterways. Additionally, storm water detention requirements make development challenging on small parcels of land like many of those in Grand Junction. To free more land for development in downtown, the city has started work on a regional detention system. “Regional detention has to happen before we start building,” Jones said. “We’ve really shortened the process by three years with regulatory red tape.” “It was the biggest hurdle,” Kingshill said. In addition to saving time, the regional detention saves money. The project is slated to take place as INDOT works on the U.S. 31/Ind. 32 intersection. As the city begins creating its detention system and ponds, the excess dirt will be used by INDOT for the overpass. “It saves the city hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Jones said. “It literally adds six figures (of funding) to our project.” Jones said significant construction could begin as soon as next year, with the Grand Junction portion beginning in 2015.
Tuesday May 21, 2013
Paws help improve reading / P3 ••• Record number of schools earn 4-star status / P7 ••• Area artists take top honors / P15
Now that the foundation is complete, visible work begins at Grand Park / P11
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COMMUNITY
Current in Westfield
www.currentinwestfield.com
11
Now that the foundation is complete, visible work begins at Grand Park Westfield Mayor Andy Cook in the new tunnel that will connect the two sides of Grand Park. (Photo by Robert Herrington)
By Robert Herrington • robert@youarecurrent.com Grand Park will open in less than one year. Westfield Mayor Andy Cook said that despite the brown landscape full of mounds of dirt and construction equipment, Grand Park is on schedule and on budget for its cover story opening in April 2014. “Most of the work is underground. Next month you’ll begin to see it taking shape,” he said. The work that already is done and hidden is the complex and connecting irrigation system at all fields. Cook said drainage is vital and the sports complex is designed to remove 2 inches of rain in four hours. “It extends the availability of play,” he said. “The drainage of the field greatly determines the quality and longevity of the field and its ability to withstand play.” Also installed this winter was a pedestrian tunnel, which will allow pedestrians to walk from the baseball side of the park to the soccer side without having to cross a roadway. This summer the sod gets planted and Cook said the city has ordered 15 acres of grass from Wabash. “There’s a small window to hit to plant sod. I don’t want to wait too late because the soil will get too hard, and it won’t root properly,” he said. In addition to the sod, Cook said half of the fields will be seeded with bluegrass and Bermuda grass, which takes less water and fertilizer and withstands more play and heat, Cook said. “Bermuda is now the preferred surface of soccer,” Cook said. “One drawback is the aesthetic. Bermuda lays dormant until mid to late June.” To make the fields look more appealing to visitors, rye grass will be planted annually to provide a green landscape until the Ber-
By the numbers
The Sports Campus at Grand Park will feature a full-range of championship-level outdoor facilities for baseball, softball and field sports, including soccer, football, rugby, field hockey and lacrosse; indoor facilities for year-round play of field and diamond sports; common areas and green space. • 26 outdoor diamonds: baseball and softball – turf and grass • 31 outdoor fields: soccer, lacrosse, football, rugby and field hockey – turf and grass • 2 indoor facilities: designed to accommodate a variety of sports for year-round play • 17 lighted fields: eight soccer fields and nine baseball fields will have lights to allow nighttime play.
muda blades change color. Artificial fields are being constructed professionally and are going to be installed in the next month. “Artificial fields give us a great ability to eliminate canceling tournaments,” Cook said. The Westfield City Council recently authorized the third bond using TIF bond proceeds. The new bid package of $25 million includes 15 synthetic turf outdoor fields, perimeter and interior fencing, paving, parking lots, concession stands, site/field lighting and electrical work, stoning of multi-use paths, a pedestrian bridge over Cool Creek and baseball structures – 52 dugouts, 18 baseball mounds and backstops for all 26 fields. The next bid package includes a canvas top pavilion, additional lighting and more than basic landscaping. Funding for those items may come from naming rights and sponsorships. Cook said the city is looking for a title sponsor for the park and fields and a medical sponsor. A soft drink sponsor has been procured and will
be announced shortly. “The marketing of naming rights will begin this month,” Cook said. “We want to see their ‘green’ and they want to see our ‘green’.” Westfield Washington Schools also is working on naming rights and sponsorship for its new football stadium, but Cook said the city will not interfere as its search is for regional and national marketing. Grand Park already has two major assigned tenants – Indiana Soccer Organization and the Indiana Bulls baseball team. Cook said the Bulls are building a 90,000-square-foot indoor practice facility and the ISO will have a 370,000-square-foot building with three full size indoor soccer fields. “They’re designing that right now and going through the financial process,” he said, adding that both buildings will be built and paid for by those organizations and not the city. “A number of organizations have talked with both of our stakeholders about having events here.” Cook said one of the selling aspects of Grand Park is that unlike other major tournaments, all games will take place in one location. Original estimates had 250,000 visitors attending Grand Park, but after hearing about interest from teams and tournaments, that number is now significantly higher. “We think we’ll have 400,000 visitors in the first year of operation,” Cook said. “We’re quite ahead of schedule.” The sports campus will be surrounded by dining, retail and entertainment venues, all geared toward supporting and enhancing the family sports atmosphere and experience. Hotels and restaurants are expected to be built in 2015 and Grand Park Village, which will break ground this summer, has a planned 2014 completion. “It’ll happen once the folks are here,” Cook said.
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Wellbrooke of Westfield opens new Health and Wellness Center in Grand Park / P12
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July 23, 2013
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Wellbrooke of Westfield offers 100 beds for rehabilitation and long-term care and service-rich apartments for full-time living.
Located on 7.5 acres adjacent to Grand Park, Wellbrooke of Westfield offers a concierge-style hospitality with its healthcare services at 937 E. 186th St. (Photos by Robert Herrington)
Among the numerous amenities is an executive chef and onsite bakery.
Wellbrooke of Westfield opens new Health and Wellness Center in Grand Park
Of the 100 units at Westfield, 70 are licensed to provide skilled nursing, rehabilitation and therapy services, while the other 30 provide service-rich apartments for full-time assisted living. Turner said Wellbrooke has a high focus on rehabilitation but also offers long-term care and a residential area. “Rehab can be for a few days up to 30 days. A majority are here short-term and go home,” he said. Heer said the center provides physical, speech, occupational and recreational rehabilitation and includes outdoor areas for therapy. To provide “real-life” situations, Wellbrooke has a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and laundry room for residents to practice daily skills so they will feel comfortable returning home. “Our recreational therapist is just really excited about the number of different options to do during the summer (with Grand Park’s trails and the upcoming Grand Park Village),” Heer said. Wellbrooke also offers one-bedroom and studio apartments. The unfinished rooms come with a kitchenette and three meals a day cooked by the center’s staff. Heer said executive chefs have been hired to “focus on fine dining.” “I take meals home to feed my family. It’s like we’re eating at a restaurant,” Turner said. Wellbrooke of Westfield accepts Medicare and private insurance, as well as private pay, and welcomes admissions seven days a week. “Any income level can come here,” Turner said. Turner explained that healthcare has a “real problem” a there’s a gap where people go to get well. “Baby boomers are demanding the kind of high-end, hospitalityoriented amenities that Wellbrooke of Westfield offers,” he said. “This is a meaningful paradigm shift and just one of the many centers we are building to transform the industry across the United States.” To learn more about Wellbrooke, call 804-8044 or visit www. WellbrookeOfWestfield.com.
By Robert Herrington • robert@youarecurrent.com As grass begins to grow and lights are erected at Grand Park, the area just west of U.S. 31 in northern Westfield is starting to take shape. While the sports complex is cover story set to open in April 2014, Wellbrooke of Westfield, the new Center for Health and Wellness, is celebrating its grand opening today, July 23 – officially opening the economic development in the area. “We’re excited to be the trailblazer,” Mainstreet Properties CEO Zeke Turner said. “We’re just on the edge of being something quite tremendous.” “The interest from the business community and the citizens of Westfield has been outstanding, and we’re so appreciative,” Phil Heer, Wellbrooke of Westfield general manager, said. “Seeing the finished product, and the reactions of those touring for the first time, will be exciting. I’ve had so many people comment to me already that it is unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.” Wellbrooke of Westfield, 937 E. 186th St., is a joint venture of Life Care Services and developer Mainstreet. The 100-unit seniors housing and care facility is appraised at $17.86 million. Turner said the Wellbrooke project, which started a year and a half ago, is now preparing to accept residents. “We wanted to do a development in this area. It was the right opportunity and site options. I liked the Grand Park vision,” he said. Wellbrooke is one of Mainstreet’s Next Generation facilities, which designs offer hotel-like properties that transform seniors housing and care into a hospitality experience by incorporating concierge-based services to specifically cater to the evolving demands of the growing senior population. Even the nurses’ stations look more like an office than medical facility. “It’s less hospital, more hospitality,” Turner said. “We’re making
it as non-institutional feeling as possible.” The hotel-like environment is designed to be comfortable and engaging with concierge-style services and amenities such as four different dining venues, onsite bakery, fitness center and 24-hour food delivery. “Our goal with Wellbrooke of Westfield is to create a unique center where seniors can receive the quality care they expect while living in a place they can really enjoy,” Turner said. The social scene also is important to the Wellbrooke. Instead of BINGO or karaoke, Turner said the center will offer cooking classes with the staff’s executive chef, happy hours at two pubs, a billiards room and movie theater. “It gets (residents) out of their room and improves their quality of life,” he said. “We want them to feel like they are independent and living their life.”
Meet Zeke Turner
Zeke Turner founded Mainstreet in 2002 and serves in the role of chairman and CEO of the company. Before establishing Mainstreet, Turner worked on Wall Street with Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (formerly Salomon Smith Barney). He grew up in Gas City and said coming back to Indiana appealed to him because he knew it was a great place to raise a family, and also because the economics of having a company in Indiana made sense. Turner said Indiana’s central location makes travel easier and the quality of life here can attract talent. Turner graduated cum laude from Taylor University in Upland with a bachelor’s degree in international business with finance and economics concentrations and a bachelor’s degree in business administration/systems. While at Taylor, Turner also played on the school’s basketball and football teams.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
IMMI President Tom Anthony explains how a Westfield company became a global leader in safety / P11
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An IMMI employee fastens a dummy into a SafeGuard child seat.
IMMI President Tom Anthony explains how a Westfield company became a global leader in safety By Robert Herrington • robert@youarecurrent.com For more than 50 years, Westfield-based IMMI has been an industry leader in the design, testing and manufacturing of advanced safety systems. Located along U.S. cover story 31 just south of East 191st Street, IMMI is the largest manufacturer in Hamilton County. It employs more than 700 people, making it the eighth largest private employer in Indiana. “We never had an overnight success,” President James Thomas “Tom” Anthony said. “Nobody’s asking for unique, simple, and elegant that over time people can’t do without.” The story of IMMI actually began in 1915 with Anthony’s grandfather, James “Jim” Lesley Anthony. Jim started Uniform UHL, an automotive parts store supplying pieces for the 30 different manufacturers around Indianapolis. IMMI started in 1961 at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and St. Clair Street in Indianapolis with four people and two sewing machines. Indiana Mills & Manufacturing – with mills referring to the woven component in products – was in the back portion of Uniform UHL. “My dad removed the horse stalls in the (former) fire house,” Anthony said. “Cars lined up all around the block to get retrofitted seatbelts. If they wanted to get them early they would come in and help pack them.” In 1971, IMMI moved to Hamilton County and was located in buildings two-and-a-half blocks apart in what is now the Carmel Arts & Design District. “There was more product on trucks going between buildings than on floors,” Anthony said. In 1986, the company expanded its property size four times and moved to Westfield. Fifty two years since it began, IMMI has 1,000 employees and operates six facilities in North America, Asia, and Europe. IMMI produces hundreds of innovative products for various industrial sectors, including the school bus, commercial vehicle, fire/ambulance, child seating, military, off-road, and motor coach industries. “We’ve protected tens of millions of lives with their work ethic,” Anthony said. “Our passion is safety. We have two primary domains: protect people making their living behind the wheel and protect children from the first ride home from the hospital until they get their first set of car keys. They are making a life saving device.” Anthony said its commercial products include boat and cargo buckle tie down systems. “We’re doing all of the Greyhound seating now as they begin to retrofit and build new buses,” he said. “When we began we were just trying to put seatbelts in vehicles and kids in car seats. It was very simple. As safety began to get more sophisticated we saw
IMMI began in 1961 at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and St. Clair Street in Indianapolis.
CEO Larry Gray, left, and President Tom Anthony
The interior of IMMI provides warehouse and manufacturing spaces at the Westfield headquarters.
Safety products in van are tested in the CAPE facility, which has crash tested more school buses than anywhere else in the world.
the need to jump boards from just the webbing, belt and buckle, seating structures and inflatables.” Anthony said one area that didn’t exist and has made the most advancement is child passenger safety. In the late 1970s, IMMI designed the five-point buckle system for child restraints and later created the first central adjustment child seat and SafeGuard family of products. As part of President Bill Clinton’s Blue Ribbon Panel, IMMI worked with other industry leaders to create a better anchor and latch process for vehicle child seats. “We’re protecting over 10 million children every day,” CEO Larry Gray said. “We’re proud we are protecting 700,000 students every day, but yellow school buses transport 24 million students every day. We’re just beginning to scratch the surface.” IMMI also protects 300,000 firefighters every day. The country’s largest fire department, FDNY, awarded them a special commendation for their work in the advancement of safety for first responders in June 2012. “IMMI is dedicated to not only bringing safety to our first responders here in our own backyard, but also around the world,” Gray said. Former WFD Fire Chief Todd Burtron, who now works as Mayor Andy Cook’s chief of staff, explained that Westfield serves as a
beta test site working with IMMI on safety products that help save the lives of their fellow firefighters across the nation. These products include the Smart Dock air tank securing system and a rollover system that deploys air bags and tightens seatbelts. “They’re a global company prominent in our industry,” he said, adding the company recently did research and development on occupant restraints in the back of an ambulance. “They rode with us, observed how people moved around in the compartment. It was a real-life test opportunity.” “We have good relations with both Westfield and Noblesville fire departments. That’s where the knowledge resides. Our relationships with them are invaluable,” Anthony said. IMMI holds two distinctions in the crash testing industry. Its Center for Advanced Product Evaluation has a 2.2 million pound barrier block – the largest in the world. CAPE also has the distinction of having crash tested more school bus seats than any other test house in the world. In addition to school buses, CAPE also tests semi trucks, fire trucks, light rail trains and ambulances. “The big stuff is what we do here,” Marketing Communications Manager Marissa Cotten said. “We do a lot of testing of bus seats and child restraints here. Everybody knows us as the people who put seatbelts on buses, but it’s just one part.”
Tuesday July 9, 2013
Noah Herron built his gardening business one magazine page at a time / P12
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July 9, 2013
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Noah Herron built his gardening business one magazine page at a time
By Robert Herrington • robert@youarecurrent.com How did a biochemistry major at Indiana University create an agriculture business in Westfield? With the help of a stack of old Sports Illustrated magazines in his garage, cover story of course. While living in Broad Ripple, Noah Herron looked to his collection of magazines for a way to save his own vegetable seeds for the following season. Cutting out pages and gluing the sides down, Herron created his own seed packets. He then got the idea to form his own small home business in early 2009. “I’m pretty good at making websites and marketing,” Herron said. “I thought it was a good niche to get into.” After working 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as an analytical chemist at Eli Lilly, Herron went home and tended to his garden and seed business until he went to bed. “I was working part-time filling orders. Thankfully, my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, would help me,” Herron said. “Last April, I quit my job and did this full time.” Herron married, Emily, and they moved to Westfield last July. “We wanted to live in the country and have a bigger garden,” he said. “Westfield is a growing city, but our business didn’t fit in our house.” Urban Farmer Seeds opened at 106 N. Union St. on Dec. 1. “I didn’t choose gardening, gardening chose me,” he said. “Six or seven years ago I never thought I’d have a gardening company.” Herron started with 10 seeds including tomatoes, beans, corn and peppers. The company now offers more than 75 different types of tomatoes and 50 different types of peppers. “We have 1,200 different seed varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, potatoes, garlic and onion sets. Basically, anything people want to grow in the garden we have available, and it’s always growing,” he said. “If I don’t have it, I can usually get it in a few days.” Herron has signed the Safe Seed Pledge affirming Urban Farmer Seeds’ commitment to not knowingly sell genetically modified seeds. “Ninety percent of our seeds are heirloom and organically grown,” he said. While June and July are the slower months for Herron, he is still making multiple shipments each day. In the winter, buyers from
Noah Herron used to buy his seeds in 5-pound bags, but now he has to purchase them in 50-pound bags thanks to the success of Urban Farmer Seeds. (Photo by Robert Herrington)
California, Florida and Texas keep Herron busy with their growing seasons. The store also provides gardening supplies, fertilizers and hydroponics. Herron said his mother was an entrepreneur who owned her own balloon shop and popcorn and snow cone place. “She was always teaching me the ropes of customer service,”
Urban Farmer Seeds
106 N. Union St. 600-2807 • www.ufseeds.com Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
he said. “I always wanted to be my own boss.” Urban Farmer Seeds averages $30 per online order, but the company has grown from having 5-pound bags in its back room to 50-pound bags. “With $2 seed packets, you have to sell a lot to make a profit,” Herron said. “I’m getting more orders and the order size is getting bigger.” Herron anticipates selling 15,000 seed orders this year with 99 percent coming from his website. Urban Farmer ships throughout the United States and Canada. “We’ve exponentially grown over the last four years,” he said. “The first couple of years were slow going… I kept at it, worked hard at it.” As Urban Farmer’s profit margins grow, its products lessen the impact on landfills as recycled magazines are still used to package all of its seeds. “Every seed packet has a story. Customers love receiving our seed packets and looking at the stories and pictures,” Herron said. Herron prefers Sports Illustrated or People magazines because of the paper weight and the way it holds glue better. Every seed packet is unique and made from old magazines from the Westfield Washington and Hamilton East public libraries. “Once every year I go through their magazines and I get a year’s supply of magazines in a few days,” he said. “We’ll recycle 50,000 pounds this year.” In the beginning, Herron’s father cut the pages into packets using a band saw and wooden template. “He did 20 magazines at a time,” Herron said. “Then we glued all three sides and filled them.” Now the packets are prepared through a company with the equipment to die-cut and glue the packets, but the seeds are still filled by hand. “It saved 50 percent of the time,” Herron said. “It’d be impossible to do it the way I used to.” As Urban Farmer Seeds’ success continues so, too, does Herron’s plans for the company. “I want to find a building and turn it into a local garden center with a greenhouse on the side to grow all sorts of vegetables,” he said, adding he hopes to accomplish this by October or November. “I definitely want to stay in Westfield.”
City of Westfield Economic & Community Development Phone: (317) 804-3170 www.westfield.in.gov EconomicDevelopment@westfield.in.gov