How high is it?
– On February 12, 2019 Noblesville Common Council quietly passed Ordinance 07-01-19 allowing “The Levinson” to violate the existing Downtown District height ordinance restricting buildings of 4 stories or 50 feet. (Quietly, because nowhere in the Council Agenda or Minutes is the word “Levinson” used). The new Ordinance states: “the maximum building height shall not exceed 55-FT”. But the attached plan from Rebar (included in ordinance supporting documents) clearly shows the maximum building height at “Roof 60’-0”. So, will the Levinson building design change to reduce the height to match the Ordinance, or will another new Ordinance be passed to match the developer’s plan??
Noblesville Plan Commission began work prior to January 22, 2019
The Levinson To Add Residential Living, Commercial Space, Parking Garage to Downtown Noblesville
08/24/2018
Noblesville officials and Rebar Development will present The Levinson, a $24.3 million mixed-use project, to the Noblesville Common Council on Tuesday, August 28. The Levinson will be an architecturally significant building in the heart of downtown that will provide commercial space, modern apartment homes, and a parking garage in Downtown Noblesville.
“We are proud to present The Levinson to the Council and have worked to ensure the project will meet many of the objectives in the PLANoblesville Comprehensive Plan,” said Rebar Development President Shelby Bowen. “The Levinson will attract and retain millennials, empty-nesters, high-earning and workforce professionals to downtown—serving as an economic driver for Noblesville restaurants and businesses.”
The proposed project includes 73 market-rate and 10 affordable-rate studio, one- and two-bedroom modern apartments with a rooftop deck and contemporary amenities. Additionally, the 2,000-square-foot lobby along Eighth Street will include a public exhibit of Downtown Noblesville’s rich history. Along Ninth Street, 5,100 square feet of commercial space will be available for retail, office, or a restaurant.
“Rebar’s plans create the first new apartment building downtown in more than a century and it will help bring urban density to our square to support our local businesses, restaurants and shops,” said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear. “Not only will it add to the local landmarks in our city, but it will attract additional downtown development interest and set a high bar for quality. It also provides Noblesville’s first parking structure in downtown.”
The project also includes a four level, 337-space parking garage. A minimum of 237 spaces will be available for paid public parking.
“We have long believed a public parking garage is an essential component to address current, perceived and real, parking challenges. Through this public-private project, we will expand our downtown parking capacity inventory by 167 spots – more than doubling the number of current off-street public parking options,” said Noblesville Chamber of Commerce President Bob DuBois, who also leads the parking task force committee. “Surface parking lots, while functional, are not the best land use strategies to sustain and enhance a vibrant downtown. We are excited to see a creative reuse of these valuable parcels. This is a win for Noblesville now and Noblesville’s future.”
As part of the developer’s agreement, the city will use an economic development bond to fund $16 million including $13.2 million for the public parking garage. The city is expected to garner nearly $185,000 annually for 25 years generated in TIF by $8.8 million in new assessed value for the project, in addition to revenue from parking permits and hourly fees.
The Levinson is named after one of the pioneer families in Noblesville. Nationally known attorney, S. O. Levinson, donated his family’s former homestead to the city in 1938. A portion of the land was used as the former City Hall site before becoming a public parking lot.
“As the family’s success and contributions were a source of pride in our community long ago, so too will this building named after them. The look and name pays homage to downtown’s history as we prepare for the next 150 years,” Ditslear said.
In July, Ditslear and Council President Chris Jensen announced the city’s Noblesville NOW capital improvement plan with the 10 priority projects for 2018-2023. The Levinson is part of the downtown development portion to introduce multi-family apartments. Other priorities include relieving traffic congestion, improving connectivity via roads and trails, and addressing the needs of public safety.
Plans are for it to be located on the half block bordered by Eighth and Ninth Streets, Maple Avenue and the east/west alley south of Conner Street. If approved by council, construction is expected to start in March with plans for the garage to be completed and open by January 2020. The apartments are anticipated to open in the fall of 2020.
For more history on the Levinson family in Noblesville, click here.
Introduced under the dubious guidance of Steve Cooke in August 2018 The Levinson quickly became the source of controversy.
Let’s Make History’ with the Levinson in downtown Noblesville
Noblesville Deputy Mayor
New mixed-use project proposed by City to add apartments, parking . . .
At the meeting of the Noblesville Common Council on Aug. 28, I was proud to introduce the proposed mixed-use project on Maple Avenue known as the Levinson that would add new apartments, commercial retail and structured parking to downtown.
Mayor Ditslear and I appreciated the many residents who attended the meeting to learn more information, share their input and ask critical questions.
Cities throughout Indiana are leveraging the demand from people young and old who want to live and work in urban, walkable areas like ours that are accessible to attractive amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, service providers, entertainment venues and other cultural hot spots.
Fortunately, Noblesville already has these amenities in addition to the small-town charm and historic architecture that other cities are trying to emulate. But while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we can’t rest on our laurels.
A major goal of the Mayor’s has been to attract more residents to downtown with a housing type that’s missing from our community. The Levinson’s 83 apartment units will create greater density with people who will support our businesses on the square and help jump start a nighttime culture that’s as vibrant as what we see in Noblesville during the day.
We certainly don’t need to look to other cities to figure out we also need greater parking capacity. Just ask the Downtown Parking Task force. Since 2015, volunteers have spent hours examining current conditions, conducting public outreach and discussing best practices in parking management and technology.
I’ve personally talked with downtown business owners who are considering leaving due to this single issue. They simply cannot grow without more parking. And I know of other businesses that we failed to attract for the same problem.
Let’s stop talking about the parking problem and do something about a parking solution.
That’s why, as proposed by Rebar Development, the Levinson will have 337 total parking spaces. Approximately 50 to 100 will be reserved for apartment residents, leaving at least 237 spaces for public use by permit holders and hourly visitors – a net gain of 167 spaces above the 70 spaces of the current surface lot.
By approving the Levinson, members of the 2018 Noblesville Common Council will have made history by effectively ending the parking debate once and for all.
Speaking of history, I know some residents are worried about the impact of this project on our downtown and the quaint charm that defines Noblesville. We believe the Levinson is the right project in the right location to strengthen our downtown and add to its vibrancy. However, we also have to achieve the right look.
While we remain excited about the initial rendering, we are confident in Rebar’s ability to gather public input and incorporate even more of the history and architecture of the existing downtown – without creating a Frankenstein of design that tries to please everyone.
As the Mayor has said, sometimes you need to make history as well as preserve it. And in the case of the Levinson, building the first new downtown apartments in 100 years that complement and strengthen the historic square, we can do both – while finally putting to rest the debate about parking.
Let’s make history.
