16-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Midland Trace continues to attract development with two more projects in Noblesville
Two new apartment complexes could be coming to the Midland Trace trail in Noblesville, an increasingly popular destination for developers.
Both developments were introduced at a Noblesville City Council meeting on July 15.
Janus Developmental Service and Real America, a non-profit that builds low-income housing, are partnering on a development to build 60 units in one and two-story buildings, with 15 units available for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the rest for low-income residents.
The project would be east of Willowview Road and south of State Road 32 on property owned by Janus, a Hamilton County non-profit that provides job training and transportation for people with disabilities.
'With Janus being the owner of the land and being right next door and the need, what better location than this?' said Michael Surak, president of Real America, told councilors. 'Transportation is huge for this community.'
A dog park and a trailhead with bathrooms would be part of the development, as would Bee Free, a bakery that would provide job training for Janus clients in a new cafe. The Midland Trace runs parallel to State Road 32 between Westfield and Noblesville downtowns.
The complex would cost an estimated $18 million, assisted by an $11.5 million federal Low Income Housing Credit. Real America will apply for the credit in July and if it is approved, should receive it in the fall.
The plan next goes to the Plan Commission for approval of a zoning change.
Developer Flaherty & Collins introduced a proposal for a four-story, 222-unit apartment building with first-floor retail spots and parking garage between south 8th and 9th and Mulberry and Walnut streets south of downtown.
The $64 million development will also abut the Midland Trace, as well as Nickel Plate Trail, and include a trailhead with lockers.
The Granary will be at the former Noblesville Milling Company's granary site, built in 1872, and expanded in the early 1900s. The property had a grain elevator and 10 concrete silos.
The silos were torn down in 2015 but the mill was the inspiration for Noblesville High School's nickname, The Millers. The manager of the plant, C.B. Jenkins, donated basketball uniforms to the team in 1925 in exchange for naming the team the Millers.
The development will return to the City Council for a vote before it is formally approved.
Noblesville city planners and developers see the Midland Trace as a lucrative draw for homes and businesses, the same way Carmel has made development on Monon Trail an economic engine for the suburb.
Several developments along State Road 32, north of the trail, are in planning. Midland Pointe, on the east side of Hazel Dell Parkway, will be a commercial mall facing State Road 32 with a subdivision behind it fronting the trail.
Epcon Communities, of Ohio, is proposing 110 houses called The Courtyards of Hazel Dell on the east side of Hazel Dell Parkway next to the trail that would be for residents 55 and older.
And The Village at Trail Crossing, with 180 townhouse, will be south of State Road 32 and west of Hazel Dell Parkway.
