Noblesville provides a look at major downtown project

The first phase of the Embrace Downtown project in Noblesville is expected to focus on the block of Logan Street between 8th and 9th streets. (Rendering provided by city of Noblesville)

The city of Noblesville expects to begin construction early next year on the first phase of a project focused on making downtown more pedestrian-friendly.

As part of the Embrace Downtown project, workers will replace and widen sidewalks, redesign streets, replace century-old sewer and water pipes, add trees and other green space, and perform other beautification efforts. Noblesville leaders have considered the project for several years.

The first phase of the project, expected to be completed before the holiday season next year, will be focused on Logan Street between Eighth and Ninth Streets on the north side of the courthouse square.

Future phases could include 8th and 9th streets on the west and east sides of the square and another block north to Clinton Street, east to 10th Street and south to Maple Avenue.

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The city expects to finalize Phase 1 design and complete the construction bidding process this winter with construction running from February to November next year.

The project will begin after the bulk of the work on other major projects in Noblesville, such as the city’s $113 million Reimagine Pleasant Street project and the $44 million roundabout at East 146th Street and Allisonville Road undertaken by Hamilton County, are completed this year or early next year.

The city provided renderings of what the project could look like at an open house on Monday. Community Engagement Manager Aaron Head hosts weekly office hours from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Noble Tea & Coffee to sit and talk with people who have questions.

Last December, the city agreed to a $594,700 contract with Beech Grove-based CrossRoad Engineers to design the project. CrossRoad Engineers previously worked on streetscape projects in Franklin and Lebanon, also both county seats. The city is also working with Indianapolis-based Ratio Architects Inc. on Embrace Downtown.

The city also paid $200,000 in January to the marketing arm of Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint to form a communications strategy for the project. A project website was launched in January.