06/13/2023
Phase 1 Construction schedule and budget are on target
Reimagine Pleasant Street – a transformational infrastructure project in Noblesville and Mayor Chris Jensen’s top priority – recently passed the seven-month mark, with a more visible phase beginning.
Progress is evident as utility relocation is largely complete. Crews are installing storm sewers to handle both current and future water drainage needs. The foundation for the new White River bridge has been set, and crews are installing retaining walls. Construction of two new roundabouts on Eighth Street began June 5 with a 150-day closure of Eighth Street between Washington Street and Mulberry Street. Pleasant Street between Sixth Street and Ninth Street, which includes the alley between Eighth and Ninth Street at Pleasant Street, is also temporarily closed.
Upon reaching this new construction phase, Jensen wanted to share an update on the construction progress.
“From the beginning, I promised that we were all in this together and that the needs of the community would be central to the project,” he said. “We’re delivering on those promises thanks to the city staff and project team's approach to managing this complex project.”
Jensen pointed to three elements of the project that best illustrate this point: historic preservation efforts, stakeholder engagement and pedestrian connectivity.
More than a bridge
Bridging the White River is a critical component to making an east-west connection in the city. Construction of the new bridge required the removal of the 200-foot, two-span steel truss bridge that once carried the Midland Railway over the White River. In collaboration with Indiana's State Historic Preservation Officer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local historic consulting parties, the project team developed a plan to carefully remove and disassemble the historic bridge built in 1893 for future use. The City of Noblesville then formed a partnership with Conner Prairie to store the bridge while a final location is determined and as plans are developed for the bridge to be refurbished and reassembled.
“The care and attention we devoted to preserving the historic bridge and our partnership with Conner Prairie is just one example of the project’s focus on preserving history,” said Jensen.
As a portion of the project encroaches on the city's historic Plum Prairie Historic District, the city has committed to include several enhancements to preserve the historical integrity of the district. The project team collaborated with local residents and other interested parties and historical preservation groups, as well as the Indiana State Historic Board of Preservation, to create historical signage in and around the district. The city also committed to funding a residential façade grant program for residents to improve exterior details of their buildings. The program provides $150,000 over three years for improvements to the city’s historic districts, with $75,000 specifically designated to the Plum Prairie Historic District.
Engaging the community
Reimagine Pleasant Street will be completed in three phases, and the project includes construction of six new roundabouts, three bridges, and connections to three major regional trail networks. The project also includes landscaping and other pedestrian enhancements such as high-visibility roadway crossings and three new pedestrian tunnels. Jensen acknowledged that the project has required tough decisions at times and “with such a large road project going through an established part of our town, some impact is unavoidable.”
Noblesville committed to an open, engaged process to ensure all stakeholders had a voice in the planning and are kept well-informed about both the progress and impact of construction. During the planning stage, the city held more than 100 resident, business and public meetings. As construction commenced, the city launched a website, www.reimaginepleasantst.com, social media channels, regular communication to impacted homeowners and businesses and a monthly newsletter. The project team also meets regularly with a group of community leaders to enlist both their opinions and their help in spreading important news.
Jensen said a good gauge of the effectiveness of the project’s community engagement was the 2023 Indiana Peony Festival, held on May 20.
“This is a signature event for not only our community but for the state and region,” he said. “We worked very hard with the organizers to anticipate any potential disruptions from our project. The event was a great success, as always.”
True connectivity
The Reimagine Pleasant Street project provides a critical east-west connection for the city of Noblesville that is expected to alleviate traffic on SR 32 through the city's urban core. The new connection will provide an alternate, less congested, route for residents in and around Noblesville to access the city and downtown businesses from SR 37 and SR 32.
The Pleasant Street project also completes a key trail network connection in Noblesville by linking the Riverwalk Trail, Midland Trace Trail and Nickel Plate Trail. This network will enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity through the heart of downtown Noblesville and link directly to many neighborhoods as well as surrounding communities in Hamilton and Marion Counties.
Toward that end, the pedestrian tunnel has been installed, which is a critical piece of that trail connectivity.
“Connectivity, mobility and access cannot mean just cars. We’re way beyond that as a city and our community expects more,” said Jensen. “The completion of the pedestrian tunnel is physical evidence of the importance we place on quality-of-life initiatives.”
