Zionsville Mayor John Stehr unveils $250 million South Village project plan

Mar. 28—Zionsville Mayor John Stehr on Wednesday announced a $250 million project called South Village.

Stehr's Youth Advisory Council shot to their feet in a standing ovation as he unveiled the plan to reroute streets, preserve the historic downtown, and attract another $250 million in private investment.

The new South Village will pay homage to town history and preserve 40% of its 160 acres as green space in the form of public parks and trails.

"The South Village will reinforce everything we cherish about Zionsville's past while forging an unmatched future for all generations to live, work, play, and thrive together," Stehr told an audience of about 150.

The plan includes 500,000 square feet of office spaces, plus new retail and dining spaces. There will be 250 new housing options from single-family homes to upscale condos and apartments.

The South Village concept centers on a plaza for public events and dining, celebrations, farmers' markets, ice skating, and musical performances.

Main Street will retain its two-way traffic and free flow of pedestrian access. But thoroughfares including Zionsville Road will be realigned to expedite trips for those just passing through.

The purpose is to draw more people to Zionsville who want to linger and shop along the historic, brick-paved Main Street, Stehr said.

The project is expected to attract another $250 million in private investment that would generate more taxes, he added.

The details

The project is a result of 20 years of studies on how to foster responsible growth that complements the town's architectural tradition and village charm, Stehr said.

Zionsville is developing a new comprehensive master plan, and the South Village is a planned unit development, PUD, within the plan.

A PUD is a district that allows mixed zoning, such as housing and commercial entities, in one area. It lets the town call the shots on future developers' architecture, signage, setbacks, landscaping, and more to preserve Zionsville's character and charm, Stehr said.

Zionsville will keep more control than usual on this project because, for the first time in town history, all property owners of the 160 acres roughly from Sycamore Street southward are on board, Stehr said.

The town will develop the district as a whole. Then developers may operate within that framework instead of coming to the town with piecemeal projects as parcels of land become available.

South Village is expected to take about five years to build, once the plans are finalized.

Development will occur in phases with "robust" public input to ensure it enhances the historic downtown that "anchors Zionsville's unique sense of place," Stehr said.

Someone from the audience asked where vehicles will park, and Stehr said the district may include a parking garage or two. They would look like historic buildings and may house restaurants and businesses on their first floors.

"Our vision is not to create Zionsville 2.0, but we need to evolve as a community," Stehr said. "The South Village represents our path toward ensuring Zionsville's authentic identity remains the heartbeat of an extraordinary place that our children's children will be proud to call home."

Youth Advisory Council members looked over South Village concept sketches and maps displayed in Zionsville Town Hall after the meeting. Sadie Choi and Sapna Srinivasan said they like the concept.

And, while they don't know if they'll be able to settle in Zionsville after college, they look forward to South Village as an attractive place to return to.

A vision document for South Village will be presented during the Zionsville Plan Commission meeting April 15. The plan commission will decide whether to recommend it to the town council as a vision document for the district.

For more information about South Village, visit the website at www.zionsville-in.gov/southvillage.