Urban Indiana

Grand Universe planning liftoff in Hamilton County

Science and space exploration are the twin passions of Greg McCauley's life.

In 1972, when he was 21 years old, McCauley sat in NASA's Mission Control Center as a member of the Apollo 17 launch team.

It was the last time the United States sent astronauts to the moon.

More than a half-century later, McCauley is looking to share his passions at a 78-acre science and space campus planned between East 186th and East 191st streets in Westfield, just east of Grand Park Sports Campus.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/grand-universe-planning-liftoff-in-hamilton-county

Ground broken for planned YMCA near Grand Park in Westfield

Westfield officials and leaders with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis on Wednesday held a ceremonial groundbreaking and shared new information about the design and amenities for the planned new YMCA near Grand Park Sports Campus.

The Ascension St. Vincent YMCA will be built adjacent to the existing $15 million Westfield Washington Schools Aquatic Center, which the organization manages at the southwest corner of Wheeler Road and East 181st Street. The 54,000-square-foot YMCA is expected to open in January 2025.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/westfield-ymca-break-ground-on-new-community-center

Developer planning two subdivisions in Westfield with nearly 600 houses

Indianapolis-based Platinum Properties Management Co. is seeking approval from the city of Westfield for two new residential developments that would consist of nearly 600 houses, according to documents filed with the city.

The Westfield City Council is scheduled to hear introductions for the Ravinia and Winterburg subdivisions at its meeting Monday night.

The proposals are the first housing developments to go before the new Westfield City Council. Each of the seven council members began their first full terms this month.

Platinum Properties, founded in 1997 by owner Paul Rioux, is looking to partner with Lennar Homes of Indiana, a division of Miami-based homebuilder Lennar Corp., to build Ravinia on 80 acres near the intersection of West 166th Street and Eagletown Road.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/developer-planning-two-subdivisions-in-westfield-with-about-600-total-houses

Westfield revisits plans for Monon Trail tunnel at busy 161st Street

Westfield is renewing plans for an underpass that would allow Monon Trail users to cross under East 161st Street, three years after former members of the City Council voted to pause the tunnel project.

The underpass, less than a half-mile west of U.S. 31, would replace a $122,000 signalized crosswalk—called a HAWK system—that was installed in 2021 after the Westfield City Council balked at spending the money needed to build the tunnel project. The council had spent nearly a year debating whether to resume work on the tunnel or implement another approach.

Westfield Director of Public Works John Nail told the Westfield City Council on Monday that Mayor Scott Willis instructed him to move forward with the tunnel project. The city resumed working with Indianapolis-based United Consulting Engineers to design and plan the tunnel.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/westfield-revisits-plans-for-monon-trail-tunnel-at-busy-161st-street

Westfield planning $6.8M, 20-acre expansion of Simon Moon Park, adding lake and nature preserve

A $6.8 million expansion project at Simon Moon Park in Westfield is expected to bring educational and recreational upgrades to the park that will include transforming two former wastewater lagoons into a recreational lake.

The city announced Tuesday that the first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in April. The park at 3044 E. 171st St. will be expanded from 5.8 acres to 25.3 acres when the two-phase construction project is complete.

First-phase upgrades to the park will include a parking lot expansion, fishing piers, boardwalks, a bridge and a reengineered sledding hill. Plans for the second phase include a new playground, an outdoor education classroom and an additional shelter. A timeline for the second phase has not been determined.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/westfield-planning-6-8m-20-acre-expansion-of-simon-moon-park-adding-lake-and-nature-preserve