Noblesville provides look at what major downtown project could look like

The city of Noblesville is planning a project to make the city's downtown more pedestrian-friendly. This view looks at Ninth Street between Conner and Logan streets. (Rendering provided by city of Noblesville)

Gallery of renderings below

The city of Noblesville has unveiled early renderings of an infrastructure project focused on making downtown more pedestrian-friendly.

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

Mayor Chris Jensen told IBJ in February that the first phase of the project will likely focus on Logan, Eighth and Ninth streets on the north, west and east sides of the historic Courthouse Square. City leaders expect designs of the first phase of the project will be completed this year.

Later phases of work could extend out another block north to Clinton Street, east to 10th Street and south to Maple Avenue. More details about each phase of the project will be released later this year.

“Embrace Downtown is an important project for Noblesville’s future,” Jensen said in a news release. “We want to create an environment that encourages people to stay in downtown Noblesville longer and make it a more welcoming and accessible environment for all.”

The city provided renderings of what the project could look like at an open house on Friday. City leaders plan to host another open house this fall when more detailed plans will be prepared. Community Engagement Manager Aaron Head hosts weekly office hours at downtown restaurants to sit and talk with people who have questions.

“As we approach 35 years since our last major infrastructure upgrade, it’s crucial that we prioritize investment in downtown Noblesville’s fundamental systems—sewers, roads and sidewalks,” City Council member Aaron Smith said in a news release.

The city will determine a cost estimate this summer for the project’s first phase. Construction of the first phase will likely last throughout 2026.

The project will begin after 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.

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 the project.

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.