Erika Malone 0:00

This week I'm Beyond the Headlines. Bucky's rezoning passes first vote. County updates road safety ordinance. Greenwood RDC okays a $7.5 million field house project, and fair fun in the Johnson County Sun starts this weekend. From the Daily Journal, this is Beyond the Headlines, a local news podcast focused on story shaping Johnson County.

SPEAKER_00 0:40

I'm pretty good.

Erika Malone 0:41

Yeah. It's been it's been a busy week. Um the weather, it's been hot. Yeah. Very hot. Um, and we got lots of news um coming up. Fair is red round corner.

SPEAKER_00 0:51

Fair stuff, yeah.

Erika Malone 0:52

Yeah. Um, and we have we'll get into that here in a little bit, but we got some fun fair ideas that uh we're gonna be cooking up uh this next week.

SPEAKER_00 0:59

So we we've been like brainstorming the whole week of what we can do uh at the fair, and most of it has been food related, but a little bit of it has been ride related, but most of it um is gonna be really fun with like reviewing stuff. Yeah. And so I love I love reviewing food and stuff like that, and just like in general. And so a lot of the ideas we have are just gonna be a star. Dude, it's gonna be awesome.

Erika Malone 1:26

Anyway, let's get into it. So, first up, we have uh Bucky's rezoning passes first vote. This is uh something uh that's been uh we've been keeping up with, and a lot of people showed out um for this meeting. Uh so Greenwood's advisory plan commission voted eight to zero to give a favorable recommendation for proposed Bucky's travel center near um I-65 at Worthsville and Collins Roads. The project would require rezoning for more than 80 acres from residential use to a planned unit development district. And if it's built, the 74,000 square foot travel center would be the first Buckeys in Indiana.

SPEAKER_00 2:03

Uh yeah. What could this Buckeys bring to Greenwood?

Erika Malone 2:06

Yeah, so uh developers kind of say the project will bring around 175 to 225 jobs, um, about nine million uh dollars in annual payroll, which is quite large, and roughly $50 uh million dollars in capital investment. Uh some of these plans include uh significant landscaping, trails, sidewalks, and other amenities aimed to improve walkability and bike access. Bucky's also presented a uh nearly 600-page traffic study and proposed major road improvements estimated to cost uh anywhere between 13 and 14 million as well.

SPEAKER_00 2:43

Um, I've heard of a lot of uh die hard Bucky fans out there. Um, but what did the general public have to say about this?

Erika Malone 2:51

Yeah, so there were there were supporters and also opponents that raised concerns um that showed up to the meeting. Uh but uh supporters argued that Bucky's would boost economic development, provide good paying jobs, and enhance the area. Um, and one woman who wore her Bucky shirt to the meeting even said, um, life is better at Bucky's. So we I I you know that quote was kind of funny that we did put in there. Um but opponents did raise concerns about traffic congestion, student safety at nearby schools, environmental impacts, property values, um, and whether local businesses could be harmed. I know across not too far away, there is a farmer's market down that way, so that's locally run. Clark Pleasant Superintendent Tim Edsell also questioned whether the traffic study accurately uh captured school drop-off and pickup traffic, um, as there are three other schools um in that uh general vicinity there. Uh Bucky's agreed to uh conduct an additional school traffic study in August to consider further improvements if needed.

SPEAKER_00 3:52

Uh yeah, this is huge. And also, like it's just insane how close it's gonna be because if I'm not mistaken, the closest was like Tennessee or there's actually one um in Kentucky.

Erika Malone 4:05

Oh yeah, yeah. Yeah. So the the next closest one is in Kentucky. Um, I believe in Richmond. Um, but yeah, this would be the first one in Indiana.

SPEAKER_00 4:15

So this is and it's just crazy like how how close it is. But also I think it's really good that it's sort of central. Like it's you know, we're pretty close to Indianapolis. So I think uh it's uh really good to have it uh like be where it is, um, but it's just insane about how close it's gonna be because it's a Bucky's is huge and it's just imagining it in Greenwood is insane.

Erika Malone 4:43

And if you've been to one, there there is a lot of traffic that goes in and out of there. Um I've been to one a few times um and got me some beaver nuggets.

SPEAKER_00 4:52

So yeah, I went there like I think I've been to Bucky's three times because my mom really likes it. I'm not too fond of it. Um, I just think there's a lot of people. What do you have against the beaver? I there's too much. There's too much beaver.

Erika Malone 5:09

Too much beaver, too much stuff going on.

SPEAKER_00 5:11

But I'm sure I think the the gas is cheap. Um, so yeah, for Bucky's. Yeah.

Erika Malone 5:17

Ups and downs to that.

SPEAKER_00 5:18

Yeah. But uh what's next for this development?

Erika Malone 5:20

Yeah, so the Plana Department um said the project uh does align with Greenwood's comprehensive plan. Um and the area's intended uh quote unquote destination commercial use, but now the proposal moves to Greenwood Common Council, which will make the final decision. Um lots of stuff happening with that, and it's not over yet. So we're gonna take a quick break and be right back. Want your business to reach our listeners in Johnson County and beyond? Reach out to the Daily Journal by calling 317-736-2730 to ask about our advertising opportunities. All right, and we're back. Uh we have uh some uh road safety updates too. Uh the uh commissioners recently approved um a new ordinance or updated their uh current ordinance. So talk a little about that, Nathan.

SPEAKER_00 6:09

Yeah, so the Johnson County Commissioners approved an update to a longstanding ordinance that prohibits placing uh injurious materials on county roads. The key change shifts enforcement from the Johnson County uh Solid Waste District to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. Uh the ordinance applies to county maintained roads, right-of-ways.

Erika Malone 6:31

Interesting. So what are some of these injurious materials?

SPEAKER_00 6:34

Um yeah, these materials uh covered by the ordinance include gour grass clippings, yard waste, mud, snow, oil, glass, wire, nails, and other debris that could endanger drivers or damage vehicles.

Erika Malone 6:48

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 6:49

Um sheriff deputies can issue citations if they witness a violation or gather sufficient evidence after receiving a complaint. Uh the fines start at $50 for a first offense and can reach up to $1,000 for repeat um violations. The ordinance took effect immediately after a unanimous three to zero vote by commissioners. Officials added language clarifying that tow operators must properly treat vehicles, vehicle fluids left on the roads after crashes.

Erika Malone 7:19

That'll be helpful because I know after crashes there sometimes debris is left on the roads. So um, with that being cleaned up, uh it'll save for more accidents.

SPEAKER_00 7:28

Yeah. And uh the county leaders emphasized that the ordinance is primarily about road safety and education, not generating tickets. Commissioners cited uh concerns about grass clippings, mud from construction sites, ATVs, and other debris uh creating hazards, especially for bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Erika Malone 7:47

Yeah, I know I know with um if people mow their grass and they it gets the clippings get left on the road, that can actually be very dangerous for motorcyclists, um, you know, with the traction that has to deal with that. So yeah, it's uh it's good that they're uh kind of updating this and doing some enforcement.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

Yeah, and also like construction with like especially with mud, but also like you'd have to think about like gravel and like nails, yeah. Just like little stuff like that, there's rocks.

Erika Malone 8:16

Um no one likes a flat tire. No, so well, we have some other um news as well. So uh the Greenwood Redevelopment Commission actually approved funding for a new field house plaza. Um, this is a $7.5 million uh development adjacent to the Greenwood Fieldhouse, actually. Construction is expected to begin in August and will be completed by SCS Construction Services, uh the company that built the Greenwood Sports Park, actually. Um, and some of the features are gonna include an event lawn, open air pavilion, lounge seating, a gang court, large video screens, a splash pad, fire pit, and potentially a seasonal ice skating rink, too. So that's interesting.

SPEAKER_00 8:58

That's actually really cool. I I have never personally seen an ice skating rink before. I've never been to one.

Erika Malone 9:04

Really?

SPEAKER_00 9:05

No.

Erika Malone 9:05

Oh wow.

SPEAKER_00 9:06

I don't know. They I feel like outdoor ice skating ranks really aren't made anymore. Um I just think there's not a lot of them.

Erika Malone 9:14

Were you seeing them in like colder environments, you know, like maybe Canada or something? Yeah. We could just go out on the lake and skate there.

SPEAKER_00 9:21

Yeah, yeah, that's true.

Erika Malone 9:23

Uh, the city designed the field house with uh a large accordion doors so indoor and outdoor spaces can connect for future events and development. Funding includes six million from the redevelopment commission and 1.5 million through Indiana's Ready 2.0 Economic Development Program. The project will also incorporate the long planned Veterans Memorial Park behind the Greenwood Public Library. And this memorial park will feature walking paths, flagpoles, benches, and a 16-foot monument topped with an eagle. Um, and a unique feature of this Veterans Memorial will be QR codes um linking visitors to online uh living memorials, highlighting local veterans as well. So that's really yeah, they get to be recognized as well. Uh Veterans Memorial Park organizer Paul Saint Pierre said combining the projects allows him to focus on honoring veterans while the city handles infrastructure and design coordination. Um the commission's approval is still contingent on completing the reviewing uh and reviewing the final construction contract before work officially moves forward. But this will be a nice little addition um with the field house and honoring veterans as well.

SPEAKER_00 10:34

I do think this is really cool. I think there's also just the veterans things is very, very cool. Um and like just all of the stuff that they're adding is um it's a lot, it's pretty ambitious, but also I think it's just it looks like a lot of fun.

Erika Malone 10:51

Yeah. Um and so I'm like, get that ice skating rink. Are you gonna you know try it out?

SPEAKER_00 10:57

I'll try it. I'm not even good at like I can't ice skate either.

Erika Malone 11:01

If I I cannot roller skate either, I don't have the balance for it. I had a friend break her tailbone ice skating one time, and I was like, yeah, I I don't need to experience that.

SPEAKER_00 11:11

Yeah, yeah. Well on ice, it's like I mean, on on both surfaces, like with roller skating, you're you're falling on a hard surface, but it's way worse when you mess up on ice. Oh yeah. Yeah. I cannot I I can't imagine because I've never um done that. But if I was to go out there, I would I would land.

Erika Malone 11:32

Well, if they make this uh they make this uh ice skating rink, then we can embarrass ourselves together.

SPEAKER_00 11:38

Dude, that'd be awesome.

Erika Malone 11:39

For maybe a video for the Daily Journal.

SPEAKER_00 11:41

You could race.

Erika Malone 11:42

Yeah. Well, we're gonna take a quick break and be right back. Like listening to this podcast, you can help support it. Subscribe to the Daily Journal at subscribe.dailyjournal.net to support your local newspaper and this podcast. Your support helps make everything we do possible. And we're back uh with our round table. And we have uh with the fair coming up next week, we uh we have some fun stuff planned. So let's uh talk about what's gonna be going on this next week.

SPEAKER_00 12:12

Yeah, the uh Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair begins Sunday and runs through uh July 25th, bringing a full week of rides, food, competitions, exhibits, and entertainment uh per usual. Um the fair kicks off with the Johnson County Fair Parade on Saturday in downtown Franklin.

Erika Malone 12:29

Which I'll be there taking photos, so you might see me around.

SPEAKER_00 12:32

Um I've actually never been. It's fun, actually. I looked at a lot of the pictures that you took, I think last year. It was last year in the year before.

Erika Malone 12:41

And that that was when I first started here at the Daily Journal. Um, that was like one of my first like photo assignments was covering the fair. It's really cool. Yeah, and uh I made the stupid decision to not wear sunscreen.

SPEAKER_00 12:54

So yeah, the uh the Seer's theme is fun in the Johnson County Sun, um, which it will hopefully, I mean, hopefully, I've seen the weather kind of flip-flop back and forth from raining to um sunny. So we'll see.

Erika Malone 13:09

I I hope that it is fun and see if the theme lives up to lives up to the city.

SPEAKER_00 13:13

Yeah, I mean, I'll know it'll be hot because it's literally been hot all the time for the past couple weeks. So um yeah, the parades grand marshals will be the staff of the uh Johnson County Museum, so they're probably gonna do something really cool. Um, a new feature this year is the Cinderella carriage ride in the parade.

Erika Malone 13:32

Interesting. I wonder what that's gonna look like. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 13:34

I was trying to imagine it because I tried to get a little bit more information and um I couldn't find anything.

Erika Malone 13:39

I bet it's like gonna be like Cinderella's like carriage or something. So that's what I would imagine. So that'll be some cool pictures.

SPEAKER_00 13:46

Um the eight local 4-H clubs will participate in the camp or the parade. Um, opening day highlights include the Pet Parade, little Mr. and Miss Uh Johnson County pageant, flat drags, and the Miss Johnson County pageant. Nice. Um visitors can enjoy carnival rides, games, food vendors, livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, open class entries, and community booths throughout the week. Uh fair leaders say 4-H remains the foundation of the fair, helping young people develop responsibility, competence, communication skills, and leadership abilities. Um new and returning attractions include a glass blower demonstration and a new blacksmith exhibit featuring live demonstrations. Nice. Which sounds really cool.

Erika Malone 14:30

Yeah, I've seen like blacksmith uh, you know, like at work and stuff, and it's it's pretty cool how they do the process.

SPEAKER_00 14:37

It is really cool. And like they'll just be making like a bunch of items um for people to see. So like it's just it it honestly, I I'll probably check that out because that sounds really cool. Um, organizers praise the hundreds of volunteers who help make the fair possible each year. Officials describe the fair as the county's largest week-long community event and a celebration of agriculture and local traditions. Um, the forecast calls for temperatures mostly in the mid to upper eighties, with chances for rain on Saturday and Wednesday.

Erika Malone 15:11

Okay, yeah. Well, lots of stuff happening, and uh, we're looking forward to it's gonna be a busy week next week. So um, if you see us around with a camera or recorder or notebook, um, or if you just recognize our faces, uh stop and stop us and say hi. You know, we'll we'd love to talk to you. Um, we have some fun videos planned and some content that we're gonna be releasing on social media too um next week. So stay tuned. Yeah. Let us know what you would like to hear by submitting your thoughts to news tips at dailyjournal.net and follow us wherever you get podcasts and we review. We hope you turn in, tune in next time and uh happy fair week.

SPEAKER_00 15:48

Yeah.