Residents object to proposed large-scale westside development

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Pike Township Residents Association meeting was attended by dozens of locals on Wednesday, many of whom voiced concerns over a planned development just west of I-465.

“We moved into an area. We made an investment based on an understanding of the master plan that it’s residential and it wouldn’t be a commercial development. Now they want to decrease our property values. It’s just not right,” said Doug Patterson.

The Crossing at Traders Point, 200 acres of land between West 86th Street and West 79th Street, will be rezoned by Indianapolis-based Cornerstone Companies.

“We’re envisioning health care, great housing, retail, life science, and bio science bio tech,” said Tag Birge, CEO of Cornerstone.

According to Birge, the site might get restaurants, motels, and pubs during the subsequent years.

Patterson is concerned that the project would damage the ecosystem.

“There are active eagle nests with eagles and eaglets, and suddenly now you’re going to have a runoff of parking lots and commercial development. It’s going to be dumping into Eagle Creek.”

Cornerstone’s legal team agreed to invite the PTRA to a future meeting with the city of Indianapolis to talk about enhancing the local infrastructure prior to construction.

Birge stated that he is open to such concessions from residents in order to curtail growth.

“There’s commitment on height, commitment on density commitments on use, and commitments on traffic.”

The decision regarding Cornerstone’s request for a rezone will be made by the city of Indianapolis.