What is the Carmel Vision?

In a nut shell it is to prepare the city for sustainability as it approaches build out in the coming decades. At that time today’s investments will be paid off and its finances will continue to keep its taxes some of the lowest in Indiana. Most communities that reach build-out see declining revenues and infrastructure yet to be built to encourage sustainability  Carmel goals is to remain one of the premier places to both work and live in the Midwest for the coming millennium.

Carmel in its distant past was never a prosperous city. It wasn’t a County seat but was a small farm town of little distinction. It’s downtown was nearly destroyed in 1913 by fire because the city was unprepared. Its one ace in the hole was its proximity to Indianapolis and to US/31 that suburban growth followed north.

The pattern for the last 100 years of sprawl has been boom and bust. One can see the progression as one drives North on Meridian from downtown Indianapolis. Experts tell us today’s sprawling suburbs will in future generations age and face many of the same problems that plague our urban cores and them some. My son’s grandfather use to go hunting after school where Glendale mall is today. Broad Ripple High School was one of the best in the State. The bust after the boom can be seen in  Washington Twp that is in Marion County. Since its schools were separate from IPS, busing cant be blamed for the decline.  

Carmel realizes that some day its housing stock will also be aged and new sprawl will have moved further North. The Challenge then is how does it prepare today to provide the infrastructure and quality of life that will entice following generations to move to and reinvest in Carmel?

Part two will address the steps being taken by Carmel for build-out.