New retail strip to replace Altum's Garden Center

September 17, 2009
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Kroger has signed on to anchor a new shopping center along Michigan Road near 106th Street on the site of Altum's Garden Center. The plans call for a full-size Kroger store, Kroger-branded gas station, small shops and a couple of outlots, possibly for restaurants, north of an existing Marsh store between 106th and 116th streets, said Angie Conn, Carmel's planning administrator. The planning department expects a developer will file formal plans by Oct. 16, in time for a Dec. 15 public hearing. Kroger does not yet have a store in the Zionsville/West Carmel area. Its closest locations are along West 86th Street just west of Township Line Road and at 71st Street and Georgetown Road. The owners of Altum's plan to remain open until the deal closes and then hope to build a new nursery within a mile of the current location.

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  • EstaSeptember 17, 2009 4:43 PM
    I understand Kroger wanting to be there, but who is going to take the b-shops and the outlots? There's already a good bit of vacancy along that corridor. Anybody hear anything more on the Wal-Mart going in across the street?
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    • MainStreetSeptember 17, 2009 7:08 PM
      With all the exciting new construction happening this year in Carmel, I am glad after nearly a year Carmel finally got mentioned at least as a side note on your blog. I was beginning to think 96th street was a line that was not to be crossed at least for Carmel news.
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    • SteveSeptember 18, 2009 11:28 AM
      I read from somewhere (might be Urbanophile, but not sure) that Walmart is going to open a store in 116th and Michigan road. But I don't think I seen any development sign or any other news else where. I doubt that Kroger will try to open a store that close to Walmart, so my best guess is probably Walmart backed out on building a store there.
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    • IvoSeptember 18, 2009 1:16 PM
      Too bad Zionsville can't/wont plan for and attract this type of good development. More commercial tax base for Carmel.
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      • ArthurSeptember 18, 2009 1:18 PM
        There is already a huge Marsh and Target (with groceries) on Michigan Ave in that area. Is this needed?
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      • GeorgeSeptember 18, 2009 1:20 PM
        Zionsville does not want commercial development like this.
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      • KayGeeSeptember 18, 2009 2:15 PM
        I'll be sorely disappointed if Altum's can't rebuild. It's one of the few great garden centers in Indy--plus they offer free how-to classes.

        Re: Walmart...I thought Carmel folks said "No way" to a Sprawlmart when there is one on 86th and Michigan?
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      • Hank ReardenSeptember 18, 2009 2:49 PM
        The People's Republic of Zionsville's loss, Carmel's gain. Keep sticking your head in the sand Zionsville.
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      • Purdue FanSeptember 18, 2009 6:09 PM
        That Kroger should give the Marsh a good run for its money if its anything like the one that opened at Hazel Dell & 146th. Once Altum's relocates further up Michigan Road, question is, how many years until they get bumped again (as they did to get to their current location)?

        It's funny reading the comments ripping on Zionsville for being against the Walmart and losing out on all that potential tax revenue. Zionsville appears to be doing just fine without it...
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        • Hank ReardenSeptember 18, 2009 10:18 PM
          Zionsville is doing fine? Really? Have you seen their property tax rates the past few years? This is the same place that let Whitestown annex the industrial ground from underneath their nose.
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          • MICHAELSeptember 21, 2009 11:32 AM
            The people of Hamilton Co. win again as they should. First Boone Co. sells control of it's airport to Hamilton Co. and they continue to let Carmel and Hamilton Co. reap the awards of missed tax dollars and flight patterns. Hamilton Co. is simply a better and smarter planner. I am in the real estate business and I am sure 8 or more out of 10 individuals who move into Indy would pick Hamilton Co./Carmel over Boone Co./Zionsville.
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          • MatthewSeptember 21, 2009 1:44 PM
            You have to realize that for some people (myself included) having a decent place to live doesn't always need to include economic development on every square inch of land and having a retail development right on your doorstep. Zionsville is one of those places. . . that's what makes it special. It's not trying to be uber developed like Hamilton County. Let it be what it is. I hope planners eventually realize the value of NOT developing every square inch of land for commercial gain. Sometimes I wonder if we learned anything at all in this latest econommic downturn. Back in the same loose-fitting saddle until it falls of the horse again.
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            • JoshSeptember 21, 2009 2:04 PM
              I disagree. I would move to Zionsville before I would move to Carmel or Hamilton Co. Both places are very sterile and dull unless you want to spend all your free time shopping at chain stores. Carmel is trying to be more urban, but most of it is very cheesy. Many people do prefer these places, its true - but I think the number of people that are tiring of this is growing.
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              • MICHAELSeptember 21, 2009 2:16 PM
                I would agree some people would appreciate a more rural setting. I think it is fine for Zville proper to try to sustain itself as a rural, quiet village but Boone Co. shoots themselves in the foot when they try to limit reasonable residential development in such rural areas as Jamestown in south west Boone Co. I tried to do a 13 lot development with each lot being over 7 acres and the County shot me down. The County is simply anti-development and they will pay the price if they have not already. Look into the amount of money the County pays in attorney fees to limit reasonable 7 acre homesite developments.
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              • MainStreetSeptember 21, 2009 2:58 PM
                There is no doubt the urban lifestyle has a strong following to the X generation as most of the recent TV shows are in that setting. What many Proffessional X's find out that once the first child is ready for school the burbs become their Mecca. What the Metro area needs are both a strong central Indy and burbs that can compete on the national level. Let every community bring their A games and do what they do best. Our competion is not ourselves but cities outside the region.
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              • SE-GuySeptember 22, 2009 9:46 AM
                Matthew, It's not about developing every inch, it's about balanced development, and thus a balanced tax base. If you have great schools, and you don't proactively plan economic development, the only types of development you will see will be residential above market rate developments. They are the most desirable by the general public, and will receive the least remonstrance. This is the trend I have observed in Zionsville and Boone County. This has left them with a tax base that is largely residential. There is little commercial, and industrial to help pay for the schools and infrastructure without contributing expenses to the school system. Zionsvilleâ??s property taxes are extremely high now, and with the changes coming in the property tax system they are going to suffer. They need good proactive planning, and economic development, especially in Union Township, in order to thrive in the future.
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              • JorgeSeptember 22, 2009 11:15 AM
                Hank does not have all of his facts correct. The industrial property annexed by Whitestown was never in Zionsville to begin with, being outside Eagle Township. Most people who move to Zionsville are willing to pay higher taxes to live in a place different from Fishers/Carmel; however, too much residential growth is a drag on the schools, increasing the costs to the schools without generating taxes sufficient to support the additional students.
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                • SE-GuySeptember 22, 2009 11:51 AM
                  It doesnâ??t really matter anymore if most people will pay more in taxes to live in Zionsville. The state is capping rates at 1% of assessed value (set by actual appraised value). They are heading toward a very serious problem.
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                • MatthewSeptember 22, 2009 12:47 PM
                  SE Guy: Your comment is based on an old model of success. . . build a tax base for residential by enticing commercial development which would in the grand scheme reduce tax rates for residents of Zionsville. Think outside the box. Where are tax incentives to leave land undeveloped because it enhances a type of lifestyle that folks like those in Zionsville enjoy. I could talk until I'm blue in the face about how undeveloped land is actually of value. How undeveloped land builds a tax base. . . .I don't know. . . .but we're entering a culture of "change" for the better and instead of continuing to build on old models of what used to be called "economic development," those with the power to really change the situation for a better future need to come up with a better plan.
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                  • SE-GuySeptember 22, 2009 2:05 PM
                    I am truly sorry for living in the present reality. Matthew, enlighten us, tell us where these tax incentives you speak of will come from; how much will the property taxes on farmland have to increase to support the schools; and how will you get the most conservative county in Indiana to accept them. While you are at it, what do you think about building places of business near all of those houses, so people don't have to get into their cars and drive to work? What about actually planning sustainable communities instead of allowing the politically connected to develop their land into residential subdivisions that further exacerbate the problem?
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                  • SE-GuySeptember 25, 2009 9:32 AM
                    Crickets chirping...
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                  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

                  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

                  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

                  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

                  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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