Town Considers Leasing Land from IMS for Park

(posted August 1)

"This is so preliminary that it is probably not worth talking about" Speedway Parks Board President Ray Lawrence said about the possibility of leasing the proposed linear park from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The lease arrangement would assist the IMS with liability issues to have a year-round park open to the public. The proposal also included the IMS building and maintaining the park. The idea was raised at the July 21 parks board meeting by Redevelopment Commission President Vince Noblet and Executive Director Scott Harris.

Lawrence described it as a "win-win" situation, but "I don't know if it is going to happen." No plans were mentioned on how the town would give or sell the land for the park to the IMS in order to lease it back.

Daryn Fair of American Structurepoint said Georgetown Road has to be vacated first before the linear park could happen.

Board member Tim Ramion said another wish list item is to have the IMS build a "bark park" in the vacant property that Meyers Avenue runs into. The board did not know that the town owns the unimproved 23rd Street that links Auburn to Georgetown Road. The board would like to build sidewalks on the north side of 25th Street to promote pedestrian connectivity throughout the town.

The discussion included building a water park and skate park at the linear park, so board members agreed to defer the water and skate board parks to the bottom of the $1.9 million Leonard Park and Meadowood Park improvements list. Lawrence said they did not want to duplicate projects.

Fair thought the linear park served as a better location for a water park, especially to accommodate race fans. He also advised against having two water parks in town. A skate park was less favorable for the linear park.

In addition to Fair's advice, the board also chose to push the projects down the priority list due to the rising costs of asphalt and playground equipment. Asphalt costs have grown by 30 percent in one year and playground equipment has increased by 20 percent. The board is concerned the rising costs will eat away at the bond money and reduce the number of improvements that can be completed.

The board entered into an agreement with American Structurepoint to finish the design phase, construction documents, and the bid phase at the July 31 meeting.

The fees were broken down by line item with Meadowood Park costing $54,000 and Leonard Park $48,000. The board will also have to present a legal description to the school board on August 11 to have an estimated 26 ft x 330 ft of the school's property deeded to the park board. The school's property occupies the east ball diamond's dug out area. The property must be deeded to the park so the bond money can be spent.

The board also agreed not to select park benches and signs until the Speedway Redevelopment Commission determines the design style for the realigned 16th Street and Main Street.

Lawrence wanted to have some continuity. Fair said restrooms at Meadowood will be demolished because walls need to be removed to provide enough turning space for wheel chair accessibility.