8th Street Revitalization

Although a formal redevelopment plan was called for in the Downtown Strategic Development Plan, 8th Street has been experiencing a quiet revolution of sorts. Historically, 8th Street was very much a mixed use commercial corridor tightly bordered by some of the earliest downtown housing stock. Through the combined efforts of various organizations this is becoming reality once again.

Model Mill

Rocky Shanehsaz purchased the Model Mill facility (former home of the Noblesville Milling Co and Indiana Seed Co shown below) located on South 8th Street in late 2001. Through several years of rennovation efforts it now houses an office complex including Miller Consulting Group, its newest tenant, and a banquet and meeting facility (Milltop Banquet & Conference Center) on the 3rd floor.

Heavenly Sweets

In 2009 Tanya Marshall of Heavenly Sweets purchased the three buildings on the southern half-block of 8th Street between Hannibal and Cherry Streets. These buildings included the former Classic Kitchen facility and the historic R.L. Wilson House. With help from the City of Noblesville's Facade Grant Program Tanya and her staff turned the complex into the new location of Heavenly Sweets and a party facility for small gatherings, weddings and events.

IDI Composites

IDI Composites International has been a Noblesville mainstay via the Merrell family for over 35 years. This global formulator and manufacturer of thermoset molding compounds for custom molders and OEMs houses their international headquarters right on 8th Street and was recently granted incentives to complete a $4.2 million renovation of this facility.

HAND's Roper Lofts

Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to address the housing needs of low to moderate income individuals, families and senior citizens in Hamilton County. HAND does this by providing affordable housing options through the development of rental properties and assisting residents in obtaining homeownership. One of their most recent projects was on South 8th Street titled the Roper Lofts and, again with assistance from the City's Facade Grant Program, includes the adaptive reuse of two historic buildings to create 8 one-bedroom apartments as well as HAND's new office space.

Judge Stone House Block

A significant partnership between the City of Noblesville and the Hamilton County Convention & Visitor's Bureau (HCCVB) is taking place and will develop over the next 12-18 months on the block of South 8th Street between Maple Avenue and Cherry Street. From the south of the block going north the City acquired a former trailer lot that had been vacated from its former owner. The lot was purchased with parking funds and in early to mid 2012 will be turned into a LIDA (Low Impact Development Association) approved parking area. The site will include pervious pavers and concrete along with heavy landscaping and tree lawns. This space will also act as an outdoor activity space for events coordinating with the HCCVB's facility. Along this block the City will also be allocating their 2012 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies for a streetscape project that will include bump out tree lawns and new curbing and sidewalks.

The HCCVB acquired the Judge Stone House (JSH) and the house just south of the JSH to renovate and transform into the Nickel Plate Arts Alliance. This joined facility will house various cultural and artistic classes, displays, and banquets for organizations along the Nickel Plate Arts Trail. This programmed facility also has the potential to be the location for bike rental, outdoor performances and small festivals. The City is assisting with the landscape element connecting the two houses that will help give continuity to the campus. (Click rendering below to enlarge).

Other Contributing Investments

Two more investments that have happened along this corridor are facade improvements via assistance through the City's program at the Silver Dollar Saloon and The Uptown Cafe. Combined, these investments total over $80,000 to improve the various facades through painting, window replacement, awning replacement, tuck-pointing and more.