Indianapolis Airport Authority and Fishers collaborate to create jobs and promote growth
IAA Board approval clears way for Fishers City Council vote on Monday
INDIANAPOLIS -- The sky is the limit on new jobs, new business and new economic development in Fishers as part of a major land initiative between Fishers and the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA). The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) Board of Directors approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Fishers this morning, clearing the way for the Fishers City Council to vote on the measure on Monday, Oct. 19. The agreement solidifies a partnership between Fishers and the IAA, and makes the undeveloped land at the Fishers Metropolitan Airport available for economic development opportunities.
“This has been a great collaborative effort between the city of Fishers, Hamilton County commissioners and the Indianapolis Airport Authority, one of the best in which I’ve participated,” says Steve Dillinger, IAA board member and Hamilton County Commissioner. “We all understand how important it is to have impact on our community’s economic vitality and to ‘bring to life’ the 96th street corridor, in Fishers, for years to come.”
In Nov. 2014, the IAA board passed the Land Use Initiative resolution that allowed the IAA to lease and/or sell undeveloped land on and around its airports. The MOU states that Fishers and the IAA plan to work cooperatively on a comprehensive strategy to promote development opportunities on the excess land. There is 200 – 300 acres available for development along 96th St. and Hague Rd and officials believe the airport could help attract potential new corporate headquarters in the city.
“The IAA is committed to finding innovative ways to use our airport system to better serve Central Indiana,” says Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the IAA. “We are one of the few airport systems in the nation that is returning airport land to the community so that we can have greater economic impact, create new jobs for families, support area schools through property taxes, and help create a more vibrant economic landscape.”
The IAA and Fishers intend on working together on a master plan to thoughtfully shape development of the area in the coming months. Planning on a granular level, the master plan will focus on the economic needs of the 96th St. corridor. Once a master plan is complete, Fishers is expected to release a request for proposals for development, likely in the spring of 2016.
“The City has been working hard to keep the 96th St. corridor vibrant for the benefit of our entire community,” said Mayor Scott Fadness. “This is an integral part of a long-term plan to encourage commercial development in key areas around our city. The innovative agreement allows Fishers to create its own destiny in an area ripe for investment.”
The Fishers City Council will consider the MOU on Monday, Oct. 19 at the council meeting. If adopted, Fishers and the IAA will begin working on the master plan for the area.
About the Indianapolis Airport Authority
The Indianapolis Airport Authority owns and operates Indiana’s largest airport system. In addition to the Indianapolis International Airport, its facilities include the Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Hendricks County Airport, Indianapolis Regional Airport and Metropolitan Airport. IND has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing it as a leader within its class, including best airport in North America in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in Airports Council International’s annual Airport Service Quality awards. It has also been inducted into the ACI Director General’s Roll of Excellence, one of the few U.S. airports to be included in this elite group of worldwide airports. IND is the first airport in the U.S. to win LEED® certification for an entire terminal campus. LEED is a green-building award for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. IND has won additional recognition for excellent customer service, concessions programs, and art and architecture.
IND generates an annual economic impact in Central Indiana of more than $4.5 billion without relying on state or local taxes to fund its operations. About 10,000 people work at the airport each day. IND serves more than 7 million business and leisure travelers each year and averages 140 daily flights, seasonally and year-round, to 41 nonstop destinations. Home of the world's second-largest FedEx Express operation and the nation’s eighth-largest cargo facility, IND is committed to becoming the airport system of choice for both passenger and cargo service. For more information, visit IND’s Facebook page at Indianapolis International Airport and Twitter page at @INDairport.