Carmel is a unique place. The US 31 Business Corridor in Carmel
has the second largest concentration of office workers in the state, some of the highest
school achievement scores in Indiana and an unbeatable quality of life. There is such a
strong sense of community here -- where residents, businesses and city government work in
partnership. I'm not always sure we all appreciate how much we can achieve and have
achieved with the partnerships we've formed.
Recall the former Target Mall at 116th Street and Keystone just a few years ago. You'll
remember that the retail area was an eye sore and a detriment to development. We were
close to having an abandoned mall in Carmel. But now, because of the partnerships City
government formed with the redevelopers, we have one of the most beautiful and successful
retail centers in Indiana. National chains, local retailers and restaurants have found the
renovated Merchants Square to be a very desirable business address.
The plans for our largest partnership, Carmel's City Center, have been developed during
the past two years. This project, in its third year, will show a rapid increase in
building activity. Our successful bidder for the residential section of the center, AMLI,
came in forty-three percent (43%) above our bid request. They are not alone in their
belief in this project. Several local developers are in discussions about the office and
retail sections of the Center. And, earlier this year, I met representatives from the
Gallery of French pre-Impressionist Art who are interested in housing their collection in
the Museum building in City Center. In addition, we're working on a plan that will get the
Performing Arts Center underway in the year 2000.
The success of the tax incremental financing, or TIF district, we created to build this
project was based on the tax revenue from 700,000 additional square feet of commercial
construction. We currently have more than 3 million square feet proposed. This is far more
than we had envisioned being built in the next 10 years. As a result, this growth will
allow us the opportunity to use the property tax revenue from these projects to begin
construction on our Performing Arts Center and Museum years sooner than we had originally
anticipated.
Many other edge cities, those existing just outside larger metropolitan areas, have
fallen prey to urban sprawl. Carmel, on the other hand, has worked hard and is succeeding
in bringing together partners to develop projects that will bring a focal point to the
City. It will give our City a place where families can come and find entertainment on many
levels, from permanent and traveling museum exhibits to theatrical and musical
performances to shopping or exercising on the Monon Trail, which by the way, begins
construction this week.
Carmel is also a unique city because it is a place where families are a priority. The
City will continue working with the school system to maintain its high quality. Carmel
families also enjoy living in a city that has the fourth lowest tax rate of 116 cities in
Indiana. We have lowered taxes each year during this administration to achieve that goal.
No other city in the state offers you more for your tax dollar.
Businesses also appreciate the economic opportunities provided here. I just attended a
news conference with state officials announcing that yet another high-tech company has
chosen to stay in Carmel. ATTUNE Inc. will continue the growth of its company on the
Meridian Street Corridor because the City and State were willing partners who helped find
a way to make it profitable for this high-tech company to stay in Carmel.
Area businesses also give a great deal back to our community. Not only do they provide
successful career opportunities for many, they partner with the City to help in various
areas. More than half of the parkland we have added in Carmel has come from corporate
donations. Martin Marietta Aggregates alone has donated more than 110 acres of land for
park use. Companies know the value of maintaining a high quality of life for current and
future employees.
The favorable partnership formed between the City and the Indianapolis Water Company
has also lead to a gift of parkland, which is now River Heritage Park.
Further north, the River Trail was developed in partnership with Carmel Clay and
Hamilton County Parks departments. This beautiful trail runs along White River and offers
some of the best views of the water from observation decks constructed along the trail.
Some of our partnerships may be less obvious, but benefit the community just the same.
Carmel has a large percentage of seniors. Our average age is four years older that the
average US population. We are lucky to be able to draw on this resource to enhance our
community programs. The Carmel Police Department partners with older citizens through the
Senior Call program. Volunteer seniors come to the station each day and call area
residents who live at home alone and don't have family close by to check on them daily.
When a senior in the program doesn't answer the phone at the appointed hour, a patrol
officer is dispatched to check on that individual. And, less than a month ago, this
program was credited with saving the life of a woman who had fallen at home and couldn't
get to a phone for help. Because she was a member of the Senior Call Program, she received
the life-saving assistance she needed in time. If she had not been a member of the
program, we don't know when her situation would have been discovered.
Area seniors were also involved in the beautification of Old Town. Residents of Windsor
Court, a local assisted living facility, helped plant the flowers in 150 hanging baskets
that added so much color and charm to the Old Town area this summer.
There are many reasons to appreciate the successful partnerships the City has created
during the past few years. And, there is much to look forward to as well. We will continue
to construct high quality streets and parkways to improve traffic flow and prepare us for
future growth. The completion of Hazel Dell Parkway has clearly marked Carmel as a leader
in infrastructure development.
We are continuing to plan for our growth and will continue to invest the vast majority
of our discretionary funds in building the safest, most efficient and aesthetically
pleasing road systems of any city in the United States.
We have prepared ourselves for growth through a series of improvements and expansions
of our award-winning Wastewater Treatment Facility and our Water Plants. We no longer
suffer through water restrictions in dry months and have the capacity to handle growth and
peak demands.
As the year 2000 milestone approaches the City has also looked at how prepared it is to
handle any Y2K crisis. We have upgraded equipment where necessary and are ready with
various contingency plans should the need arise.
The Year 2000 is also a good time to look at where we are as a community and discuss
where we want to be. America, as we all know, is a country of immigrants. One of the
profound changes that Carmel is experiencing at the millennium is a substantial growth in
our Hispanic and other immigrant populations. Our country and Carmel have been enriched by
the hundreds of cultures that have made up our melting pot. As a matter of fact, our
International Arts Festival recognizes and celebrates many of these cultures. Yet, the
success of America as a haven for the down trodden from all over the world, has been that
all immigrants, until recently, strove to adopt the English language, embrace our customs,
honor our heroes and, as a result, were able to fully participate in the American Dream.
Regardless of where their parents or grandparents came from, the children and
grandchildren learned English and became leaders in businesses, the professions and the
arts.
Our heritage and Judeo-Christian ethics tell us that we should embrace and welcome our
newest immigrants just as America has welcomed hundreds of immigrant groups before them.
We must not, however, fall into the trap of believing we are helping immigrant
groups by printing government forms, signs, service guides or other important information
in languages other than English. This practice does not help these groups assimilate but
rather encourages them to remain separate from the mainstream. We should instead help
those new to our country with English classes and other programs in order that our newest
immigrants are assimilated as our country has assimilated hundreds of immigrant groups
before them.
We must remember that one of our country's mottoes, printed on our money, E Pluribus
Unum - Latin, meaning "from many, one" - has been our strength. We must not
abandon that principle in favor of the recent trend of encouraging multiculturalism, which
creates divisiveness instead of cohesiveness.
Noted author Martin Gross in his book, "The End of Sanity" has stated
that "absorbing immigrants and minorities into the majority culture is the only route
to success for the masses in any civilization." He goes on to say that through
assimilation our country has found the unity that has made this nation strong. This is not
just a national issue, but one that is critical to Carmel today.
I challenge each of you to examine and determine what you can do to help make our
community and country stronger by encouraging assimilation and unity instead of separation
and division. Truly becoming one community may be our greatest partnership
challenge, to bring all groups together for a common goal … to continue to make
Carmel the best place anywhere to live, work and raise a family.
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