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HomeMy WebLinkAboutState of the CityRemarks for State of the City November 7, 2001- Mayor James Brainard Thank you for taking the time to ioin us today at the annual Chamber luncheon and Business-to-Business Fair. Given the events of the past two months, it is even more important for us to come together as a community to learn more about each other and support one another. For many of us, the events of September 11th served as a reminder to put ttfings in perspecfve. It sharpened our focus on priorifes and brought back into vie~v that which is truly important. The time we now spend with our family and friends seems more precious. We see the true value in our personal relationships and appreciate the comfort found there. The attack on our nation also reminded us that this earth is a fragile place and that the actions of a few can affect the lives of many. We continue to be vigilant at the City and have created a terrorist task force to study and update our current procedures to prepare for various scenarios. An unanticipated result of the attack has even affected this particular event. We were to be honored by a delegation from our sister city Kawachinagano, Japan. In light of recent events, they decided the best course would be to have the delegation remain in Japan. However, they did send items for display in the Business-to-Business Fair. I encourage you to visit their booth to learn more about their products. The most important result of the terrorist strike was that ~ve were reminded of what it means to be an American ... of what it means to live in a country where all people are free ... free to speak their mind, free to practice their own religion and free to pursue happiness. We must never take these freedoms for granted. It is these freedoms that make ours the greatest nation on earth. In the wake of this tragedy, I have seen our country's strength and determination grow even stronger. It rises from the very heart of our nation to unite us m purpose allowing us to forge ahead. In this ume of cns~s, our nauon leaders pulled together and dropped the man-made barriers. There were no Republicans or Democrats, no blacks or whites, no Christians or Jews ... there were Americans with one goal ... to keep our nation safe and send the message that £reedom willreign. We must do the same in our own community ..- ioin together to move forward and continue on toward our goal to make this the best place to live, work and raise a family. We must never forget that the reason we are all involved in this civic pursuit is that we want to do what is best for the community as a whole. It is the strength and vitality of small communities all across America that combine to form this great nation. In Carmel, Indiana, Manhattan, Kansas and Brookfield, Wisconsin we are facing the same uncertainties on a national level, but we are equally determined on a local level to maintain the freedoms for which our country has fought for generations. Each day we must look to the future to determine where our actions ~vill lead us. We ~vant to make the right decisions so future generations will return here to raise their families and be proud to call Carmel "home." Americans have the luxury of living in a free society. We have the right to choose how we want to live. In Carmel, we have the unique opportunity of living in a growing community ~vhere we can shape the design of our City and determine its direction and future. In all of our planning, we must carefully consider ~vhat kind of community we want to pass on to our children. There are many reasons people have chosen to call Carmel home. Some of you were born here, some moved from nearby communities to find a quieter, safer environment, some came for quality education and still others came for employment. But, the majority of citizens here are looking for the same thing ... a strong sense of community and a good place to raise a family. The large attendance at the summer concert series is evidence that we enjoy the traditional pursuits of happiness where families can gather and neighbors can catch up on news and events. It reminds us of a peaceful, less hectic time, a 6me when relationships with family and friends were all important. This same community that enjoys old-fashioned gatherings also demands the latest in high technology and opportunity. Many high-tech businesses have located here and we continue to attract cutting edge companies to Carmel. The Meridian Street Corridor has become the second largest concentration of office workers in the state. We need to ensure that our economic development efforts involve us with the types of corporations that can yield long-term gains for the community. Part of attracting this kind of company is providing a highly professional work force and a vibrant quality of life. We have one of the largest percentages of residents with graduate degrees in the area from which employers can select the best and the brightest. The City is constantly working to improve the quality of life in the area. We want to make certain that ~ve have smart gro~vth during this critical developmental period. 2 This past year I have participated in several programs intended to assist cities in the design process. One such program is offered by The Urban Land Institute, which studies issues related to the growth of communities and trends in development. Its mission is to provide responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment. The Urban Land Institute's Mayors' Forum series provides the opportunity for about 40 U.S. and foreign Mayors to meet with representatives from the private sector to discuss how strategic public investments can spur long-term, sustained private investments that create jobs, activity and increased property values in a cormnunity. Another program I participated in was the Mayor's Institute on City Design. It was established in 1986 to help mayors develop an appreciation for the importance of their role as designer of their own cities. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Institute of Architects. The Institute brings a small group of mayors together for intense discussion with design professionals. During the Institute, participants work together to define strategic goals and address design and development issues. The format of the sessions demand active engagement by all participants including the mayors, architects, planners, developers, preservationists and bankers. The purpose of participating in these types of activities is to make sure that ~ve educate ourselves about what elements are vital to successful city design and determine the best way to incorporate these elements into our planoSng, zoning and development processes here in Carmel. As a history major in college, I studied many ancient civilizations and much of what we know of them we discovered from the cities they left behind. Long after we are gone, our city's structures will remain. What we leave behind will be our most enduring legacy and ~ve need to make certain that it speaks to what we believe in. The selection of Georgian Colonial architecture by the previous administration echoes our solid conservative values rooted in our colonial past. In order to create a cohesive look to our City, other redevelopment initiatives incorporate similar design elements. The improvements to the Old Town area include brick details in the street, brick sidewalks, historic replica lighting and street signs. These elements combine to add charm to the area and increase property values thereby encouraging investment. 3 We are also planning a Carmel Redevelopment Commission project in the heart of Old To~vn, which will encompass an area bordered by the Monon Trail, Main Street, First Avenue and First Street SW. This project will incorporate a historic design based on 1850's pictures of Springfield, Illinois, when Abraham Lincoln was practicing law there. Historians believe that is what Carmel would have looked like if it had been a more prosperous town in the 1800's. The new development will then blend with the structures already in the area. This public private partnership represents another way the City can help promote the development of certain areas and play a major role in design. We have already invested a great deal in Old Town and this is a perfect way to further stimulate redevelopment in the area. It will create a quaint historic character and attract shoppers looking for that type of atmosphere. Existing shop owners will benefit from increased traffic and higher property values. The development calls for 14,000 square feet of retail space geared toward small businesses such as coffee shops, bakeries and boutiques. It also includes 80-90 apartments above the shops. What we are looking for is the synergy that was on the Main Street of old - housing, shopping, and dining all ~vithin walking distance. When we work together to make these types of improvements, everyone benefits. The ne~v sidewalks and curbs help residents have a more beautiful neighborhood and keep water from flowing through their yards into their basements when it rains. Aesthetic improvements allow local merchants to draw more customers to their stores as foot traffic in the area increases and empty shops fill with new tenants. It is re~varding to see the efforts of well executed planning and development take shape throughout the City. In addition to redevelopment efforts such as Old Town, we also incorporate important design elements in road projects. One outstanding example of this is Hazel Dell Parkway. Instead of just adding a two- or four-lane roadway straight north, Hazel Dell was designed and built as a four-lane parkway with gentle curves dMded by heavily landscaped medians. On either side of the park~vay are wide multi-use paths for ~valkers, bikers, or roller-bladers. Brick elements ~vere added to bridges, intersections and roundabouts. This type of design detail adds to the overall beauty of the roadway and the surrounding area. These road improvements have also allowed our city to grow without burdening us with the fmstradon of traffic jams experienced in neighboring communities. For example, the new sections on the north and south ends of Pennsylvania have opened 4 up another north/south corridor to relieve congestion on Meridian Street. This new street has also encouraged new businesses to locate along Pennsylvania. The soon-m-be-completed Carmel Drive Streetscape should be ready for the Thanksgiving holidays. When completed it will improve the safety of the area while upgrading the appearance of an important commercial section of our City. It is important that we maintain and improve these highly visible areas to keep property values up and to create incentive to locate here. We want businesses to know that we appreciate their being a vital part of our city's success. We also want to send the message that good design is important to us. Another way to show the community that ~ve value them is to provide a high quality of life. It not only makes it more enjoyable for current residents, it helps attract employees from other locations. Our park expansion initiatives are aimed at providing more recreational opportunities to meet the demands of our residents. We no~v have more than 500 acres of parkland and need to develop a good portion of it. During the past year, xve have opened some new park features. Many families enjoyed the new sprayground at Inlow Park this summer. Others were able to take their physically challenged children to Everybody's Playground, designed for kids of all abilities. But, the most anticipated event of the year happened a couple of weekends ago. The official opening of the Monon Greenway. It is another example of good city planning. What was once an abandoned railway corridor, which had turned into a linear junkyard, is now a destination for families and others who want to exercise or enjoy the outdoors. The natural beauty of the trail combined with the safety of not having to walk or ride along with traffic, has given this community one of the nations best linear parks. This ~vas not an easy project. We had to close on 245 separate parcels of land in order to make this park a reality. The City of Indianapolis purchases ali Monon land from the railroad in one transaction. Our process was like closing on a house 245 times, with 245 separate surveys, 245 separate appraisals and 245 separate negotiations and closings. Those who worked on this project were diligent and optimistic, even during the worst of times, because they believed that we would achieve our goal. There were many nay-sayers xvho believed Carmel would not succeed in purchasing the land for the mail. The very verbal minority of trail opponents would have you believe that btfilding the trail would be a tremendous burden to the City. However, I kne~v in my heart that building the trail was the right thing to do for the whole 5 community. In 1995, one of my campaign commitments was to build the Monon Trail in Carmel. And, in fact, it was the right thing to do. Each time I visit the trail, I am greeted by citizens who stop to say thanks for creating the Monon. I want to take this opportunity to again thank all of you who supported the trail and patiently awaited its completion and can now celebrate its success. This process was a good example of what can happen when people put aside their petty differences and focus on what is in the best interest of the entire community. Carmel has not seen the last of these types of successes. We are in the beginning stages of the City Center Project, which promises to give Carmel a downtown and improve the economic growth of a targeted area of the city. A place for the community to gather and enjoy recreation, entertainment and shopping. There are also plans to include a museum building and a performing arts pavilion as well as an outdoor amphitheater. You will also have the option of living across the street from all these amenities at the nearby AMLI at City Center apartments and townhomes or the Ryland condominiums. City Center is a public-private partnership where the City purchased the land will then sell it to developers ~vho will carry out the construction of the center following the design guidelines set forth for the project. This entire project has been planned and studied with the future design of the City in mind. Our first buildings for City Center are under construction. The first was the Schwinn bike shop just north of City Center Drive along the Monon Trail. The new store reflects the Georgian Colonial style of architecture that is required for building in this area. A Planned Unit Development was created for this project, which includes the design guidelines that allow us to bring in the elements we feel are necessary for the success of City Center. On the southwest corner of City Center Drive and Third Avenue Southwest is the AMLI project. Construction started earlier this year on this residential complex. The community of two- and three-story buildings will contain 322 apartment homes and townhouses. The one, two and three bedroom floor plans will average more than 1,000 square feet each. Features of this development include a swimaning pool, state- of-the-art fitness center, media center and resident business center. Also on the 10- acre site will be a large reflecting pool extending from in front of the main building to 3~a Avenue, SW, offering an unobstructed view of the green space included in plans for the City Center. There also has been some discussion about the feasibility of freezing a portion of the reflecting pool during the ~vinter for use as a public skating rink. The entire project has been planned and studied with the future design of the City in mind. We are determined to make sure the City grows in the right direction. If you ever ~vonder about the importance of City design, just look at the difference between Carmel and neighboring towns. As you drive from Indianapolis north and cross over 96th Street, the congested strip mall look disappears. There are corporate offices lining the street ... no billboards or advertising signs along the road and crowding your vie~v. Imagine Carmel without the strict sign ordinances, without Hazel Dell Parkway or without a Meridian Street Corridor. I think you would have a much different opinion of the area if attention were not paid to these design considerations. You will see many changes in the coming years in Carmel. Our community is one of the fastest growing in the state and nation. And, as a result, change is inevitable. However, through careful planning and smart growth ~ve can shape the design of our city and ensure its quality of life for future generations. I hope you can begin to see the passion with which I am committed to good city design. I want to make sure that we are all proud of the City we have helped shape. Our decisions are based on sound judgement when it comes to the future of Carmel. ask you to join together as a community and help us create a City ~ve can be proud of. We may all feel changed by the events of September 11 and there are elements of our Eves that will never be the same. But, I can assure you that this community will NOT change in one very important way. We will remain determined to cultivate a strong sense of community, because only working together can we continue to make Carmel the best place to live, work and raise a family.