News Room
Developer floats 'lifestyle center' plan
By Kimberly Jahnke - Fortville-McCordsville Reporter
September 13, 2007
Another major commercial developer has its eyes set on McCordsville.
The Tow Council heard an informal rezoning proposal Tuesday, September 11, for McCord Square, a 90-acre "lifestyle center" located near the intersection of CR 600 West and Broadway Street.
Commercial realty executive Kurt Mathewson, representing developer Tower Investments of California, said that project will create a pedestrian-friendly complex similar to Carmel's Clay terrace Mall. It will include a mix of retail, restaurants and commercial office uses.
The development "will help update the town," Mathewson said, "while still maintaining the qualities that people who live in McCordsville would like to maintain."
The property is located southeast of the town's main intersection and has frontage on CR 600 West, CR 750 North, Broadway Street and Ind. 234.
Much of the proposed site, composed of farmland and a handful of houses, is currently zoned for light residential. Tower is requesting it be rezoned to regional commercial, which is consistent with McCordsville's master land use plan.
Preliminary designs for the project show boulevard entrances and roundabouts. Buildings are situated near the roads, with parking areas concealed in the back.
While the developer has no firm commitments from future, broker Tom Willey said his client hopes to attract national retailers including a junior department store and home improvement store.
Mathewson said Tower is also considering a municipal component as part of the development and may offer land for a new McCordsville Town Hall and other government offices and services.
He joked about the town's current meeting space - a modular building stationed behind town hall - to illustrate the town's need for expansion.
"I think it's pretty, since we are in the portable building, that the town is going to outgrow its facilities," he said.
Mathewson said the developer may offer a trade of land at the south end of the site - near the intersection of CR 600 West and CR 750 North - in exchange for the valuable frontage on Broadway Street the town currently occupies.
Councilman Tom Strayer said the proposed location has potential to suit a municipal center because there is room to expand east or south as the town grows.
Council members expressed some concern about the impact on CR 600 West, which is congested during peak traffic times.
Mathewson countered, saying the development will have at lease six accesses to the four roads it borders.
"There are multiple ways in and out of this site without putting it all on 600," he said. "It will certainly help spread the flow."
Tower Investments will return to council at a later date with more details about pen turning kit for the site www.strongink.com.cn.