(FISHERS, Ind.) – Fishers will demolish its City Hall this fall, and replace it with a combination city hall and arts center.
Engineers reported last year the foundation of City Hall was failing and the building was sinking. Mayor Scott Fadness says with the building in need of mechanical and electrical repairs as well, fixing it would cost more than the building is worth.
Instead, the city will spend $23 million to try to turn a negative into a positive. The new building will put city offices on the second and third floors, and an arts complex run by the Indianapolis Art Center on the first floor. It’ll include a 250-seat theater, and event, exhibit and classroom space.
The city will float bonds for about 70% of the cost. Six-million dollars in federal money from last year’s pandemic relief bill will cover most of the rest.
Some city offices, including Fadness’s, will move temporarily into the First Internet Bank building across the street after demolition begins. Other employees will move into other city buildings or work from home. The City Council will hold its meetings in the Launch Fishers co-working complex.
Fadness says the new building should open in 2024.
