Introducing the New Noblesville Granary

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nate Lichti, Executive Director HAND 347 South 8th Street, Suite A Noblesville, IN 46060 317-674-8108 nate@handincorporated.org

The plans developed by Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND) for the partially demolished grain elevator site in downtown Noblesville are coming to light. HAND released renderings of their proposal for the two acre site, including preservation of a section of the existing elevator. The project is being called the Elevator and Lofts at the Noblesville Granary.

The plans were created by local architects Darren Peterson and John Dierdorf, and show the preservation of the footprint of the wooden grain elevator. The plans keep in place the primary workroom on the south end, eight grain bins on the north end, and the historic limestone and brick foundation. “The foundation alone shows the craftsmanship and incredible investment made in 1904,” says Lichti. “It held up 350,000 bushels of wheat so we’re confident it can handle anything we propose.”

Between the bins and the workroom, HAND proposes new commercial construction that will house “the Elevator,” a business incubator space for entrepreneurs working on hardware (ie. industrial arts, textiles, and sculpture). The Elevator will provide work space, show rooms, and second story office/community room that will be set up with flexible workspace, similar to Launch Fishers.

The Lofts will include 54 apartments in a three-story building along Walnut and 9th St. Another 4,000 s.f. of main floor commercial space along 8th St. extends the downtown one block into the Southwest Quad. The apartments will lease for $300-$750 for one and two-bedroom apartments, and income restrictions will apply. Surface parking is proposed to accommodate the on-site needs, thereby eliminating the need for a structure.

HAND is requesting to rezone the property to change it from Industrial to a Downtown Zoning category. “This change in zoning helps protect the neighborhood by ensuring new development fits to the design standards desired by the community,” explains Nate Lichti, Executive Director. “No one in the City wants south 8th St. to be continually developed with industrial use. This zoning change meets the goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and    achieves a strategic expansion of Downtown.”

“Individuals are coming out of the woodwork to talk about this,” says Lichti, “People with long-term connections to the grain elevator, folks saying we have to ‘put it back together the way it was.’ There are no promises, but obviously this project is largely dependent on public support. If city leaders don’t hear from neighbors, this could be a flat piece of ground next year.”

Plans were placed on hold during extended negotiations with the owner of the property, so HAND now has virtually one chance to make it through the hearing processes. “The complications of third party negotiations resulted in a very compressed timeline,” reports Nate Lichti, Executive Director. “Our design team is top notch and ideally I’d have a few more months, but we have enough time to produce a quality product.”

HAND invests in neighborhoods, provides housing solutions, and builds partnerships to improve the lives and build community in Hamilton County. Follow HAND on Facebook, visit www.handincorporated.org or call 317-674-8108 for more information.

###

Draft Site Plan – 2 Acre Site includes preservation of sections of grain elevator, business incubator space, and 54 apartments.

9.30 Site Plan

View of 8th and Walnut – Residential structure along Walnut.3

Noblesville Granary north east 2

View of Grain Elevator along 8th St. – Preserved bin structures on north and south end with new construction built on the existing foundation will serve as business incubator space.