Monon Trail in Carmel

[Ken Weller]

from on-line version of Indy News:


Carmel Midtown plan: Extreme widening of Monon corridor would create new 'Monon Boulevard'
Written by Dan McFeely indystar.com

 

Carmel's expansion of the Monon Trail will include bike-only lanes on either side — and an outer-street corridor for vehicular traffic running one-way north or south. / Carmel Chamber of CommerceNotable civic spaces
The plan calls for at least 13 public spaces, but more could be added by future developers with ideas. Here are those already included in the plan:
• The Corner Plaza, where the Monon Trail meets Main Street.
• The Monon Trail Transition, where the Trail widens to become the Avenue.
• Bub’s Lawn, replacing the parking lot in front of Bub’s Café.
• The Turbine Green, at Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street.
• The Central Square, at Monon Avenue and Fourth Street.
• The Pond Green, east of the existing pond on Third Avenue.
• The two roundabouts, along City Center Drive. • Treed Lawns 1, 2, and 3, replacing shallow parking lots and expendable structures along Range Line Road.
• The Church Green West, across Range Line Road from the Church Green.
• The Linear Green, at the western end of the Green Axis.

CARMEL, IND. — An ambitious plan to transform an old industrial area into Carmel’s next redevelopment project includes an eye-popping expansion of the Monon Trail.

The trail, used heavily by pedestrians and bicyclists, would expand on both sides from Main Street to City Center Drive to include bike-only lanes on either side — and an outer-street corridor for vehicular traffic running one-way north or south.

The unusual mix of cars with bikes and pedestrians, planners say, would create a magnetic effect for future businesses, restaurants and apartment buildings — bringing private investment and commercial tax dollars to a core that currently sits mostly abandoned and empty.

“It’s a fresh look at an old industrial area, a lot of which is not on the tax rolls and is underutilized,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. “To get it redeveloped properly will save taxpayers money and make the area much nicer.”

Known as the Midtown area, it is nestled between the city’s Arts & Design District to the north and the Carmel City Center and The Palladium to the south.

The plan also calls for the construction of a new, artsy water tower that would become a focal point within a diamond-shaped public space and replace the current water tower.

The overall cost of the proposed plan is hard to estimate because much of it would be done gradually by private developers. But city officials acknowledge that it would take at least $20 million in public money to widen the trail’s footprint, build the streets and auxiliary paths and move existing utility lines.

“None of that needs to be spent for the first couple developments,” Brainard said, “and can be done from the new taxes paid by the new developments in the area.”

The Monon Trail currently cuts through the heart of the area, which used to be anchored by a giant grain elevator, demolished last year.

But Jeff Speck, the urban planner hired by the city to conduct an analysis of the area and come up with a plan for its future, said recreational use alone would not sustain smart growth.

“There has to be a reason to walk,” said Speck, who unveiled the new Midtown plan Wednesday at the Carmel Chamber luncheon. “It needs to be safe, comfortable. And finally, interesting, because we just won’t walk if the walk is boring.

“If we can connect them with a walkable corridor that makes it one place, it will be large enough with enough critical mass that you can make the choice to live, work, shop” with or without a car.

A new Monon Boulevard would eventually be lined with tall buildings — residential on top floors, commercial space at street level — with places to shop, places to work, all within a future network of streets and small city blocks.

“We envision this being much like a traditional neighborhood,’’ Brainard said, “where retail, office and residential is all mixed together with beautiful streets connecting the Arts & Design Center and City Center.”

But will the plan pass muster at the Carmel City Council?

Councilwoman Luci Snyder said today that Speck’s plan was “lovely” and “spot-on for the area.”

“I actually love the idea and the design,” said Snyder. “However, what will be the scope and cost of this avenue? How much of it will have to be built first? What is the cost of relocating and burying the utilities?”

Snyder said the cost of the initial part of the project would be about $20 million, which includes the cost of moving utility lines. And with the city needing to complete other projects that have already begun, such as the Illinois Street extension and City Center, some on the council think the Midtown project should be put on the back burner.

“My position and that of some others on the Council whose position is opposed by those who want to move forward immediately, is that after the restructuring of the $184 million of CRC debt, this city should pay down some debt, accumulate money in the Special Reserve Fund and see if this tentative recovery results in an increase in our income.”

The Midtown area is bordered by Range Line Road, Main Street, Third Avenue and City Center Drive. The plan, as unveiled, would slowly roll out as private developers come in to propose projects. The city would play its role by making sure streets and public spaces are developed in line with the overall plan.

Brainard said he has been approached by several developers with proposals for projects in the area. One of those came from Pedcor, the city’s partner in redevelopment, which asked for City Council approval to apply for a state tax credit worth $25 million for a $100 million future residential project. But the City Council voted 4-3 recently to deny that request, out of fear that it might obligate the city for future expenses.

On Wednesday, Speck said there are already about 1,000 people living within a walkable distance of the Midtown area, a “significant number” for a successful project.

A walk from one end of Midtown to the other will be about a 10-minute excursion. Speck wants to break that up with the new water tower area, where he envisions green space mixing with outdoor diners and places to rest.

“Most of us think in five-minute walks,” Speck said. “This would be something to get to, about halfway along the walk.”

Strategically, it would also be far enough away from Main Street and Carmel City Center so as not to compete directly with restaurants there.

Street traffic onto the exterior Monon Blvd. would come primarily from Third Avenue, which Speck proposes to be diverted at an angle, just north of City Center Drive, into the trail corridor.

Traffic would flow one-way north up the east side and one-way south down the west side. It would feature narrow lanes and parallel parking, which serves to “protect the sidewalks” while also inviting motorists into the area to shop or dine.

It’s similar to another boulevard already in place in Winter Garden, Fla., Speck said, but under his plan would be much wider. Specifically, the plan calls for a pair of 8-foot bicycling lanes and a 12-foot pedestrian pathway at the inner core. Each segment of the boulevard would be divided by a tree-lined grassy area.

“It will be a space for everybody,” said Speck. “It becomes a very wide, luxurious median lined by buildings.

“If the Monon becomes a boulevard, it will become much more valuable. And growth will come eventually.”


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[Sharon Eberhard]

The June 2013 issue of the Indianapolis monthly magazine has devoted much of it to the Monon Trail.  Very interesting.

Sharon

[Heath Matthias]

Also Westfield, IN is extending the trail all the way to Sheridan soon, making 30 miles end to end on the trail

[Tom Kepshire]

That will be a nice ride. Have to put that on my "To Do" list.

[Heath Matthias]

Note that some of the Westfield trail will diverge from the ROW due to the US 31 expansion.  It converges back after 32 I think though.