FREEDOM PARK SAVED!

It was announced by the City of Greenwood on 6/19/17 that they are no longer pursuing Freedom Park for the commercial sports facility. They are now targeting the I65 & County Line Road area for this development. We hope that the community park will no longer be considered an option for future commercial developments.

Read more about the Greenwood Sportsplex at the following links:

http://www.wthr.com/article/sportsplex-entertainment-centers-included-in-greenwood-expansion-plan

http://www.dailyjournal.net/2017/06/19/iceplex-moves-to-new-i-65-sports-retail-complex/

http://www.greenwood.in.gov/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=3533

Thank You

City of Greenwood announced plans to lease 6 acres of Freedom Park to a commercial development for $1 a month for 60 years. The plan included a 115,000 sq ft hockey facility. Residents got organized and spent the next 3 months opposing this plan.

We would like to thank all of the residents and city officials/staff who have helped support the "Save Freedom Park" effort since March 2017. In addition to all the people speaking at meetings and to the news stations, there were dozens of people helping behind the scenes researching all aspects of this project. These individuals spent literally months analyzing zoning ordinances, state laws, traffic studies, park studies, comprehensive plans, public records. Basically any piece of relevant information that could be obtained. This resulted in many, many hours spent focusing on this project. For residents that equates to time taken away from their families and other activities.

All the flyers, shirts, signs, and public records requests done by the homeowners were paid out of pocket by "Save Freedom Park" supporters. We had a $0 budget and were up against an city project that had months of preparation, funding from tax money, wealthy business owners, and a paid PR firm (Hirons) assisting the city administration.

Important Updates / Accomplishments

WIBC & Indiana Business Journal have stated the project is "on hold" as of 4/18/2017.
Resolution 17-04 has been pulled from the Greenwood Common Council "at the request of city administration". This project will likely be moved to the Redevelopment Commission (RDC).
On 4/17/2017 Councilor David Hopper introduced resolution 17-22 requiring buildings that require city incentives to comply with the 135 overlay architectural standards. Passed first vote 7-2. Appears to be directly related to the city administration pulling 17-04 from the common council due to amended architectural requirements.
On March 21 a traffic study was ordered by the Mayor's office (to be completed in ~6 months).
Mayor agreed to meet with the concerned community on April 1.

Community's Concerns

Majority of the community is not against the Iceplex itself, but simply the location. Here's why:

Commercial, for-profit business operating on land zoned as "Recreation & Open Space".
Deviates from City of Greenwood Comprehensive Plan and 2015 Greenwood Park Study
Increased Traffic/Traffic Congestion
The commercial facility is being advertised as one of the largest of its kind in the region & nation. One goal being to attract regional and national tournaments.
Additional Noise/Light Pollution to Nearby Neighborhoods
Property Value Impact
Safety; Large Influx of Visitors (400,000-800,000 annually) within a Residential Area
Stop 18 Extension to Brighton Estates IF the Facility is Built in Freedom Park
Use of Green Space/Park Grounds for Commercial "For Profit" Business
$1/month Lease for 60 Years
No clawbacks or plan if business fails
Alcohol sales within a Community Park and a block from the Greenwood Middle School
Rushed timeline without disclosing all details to public prior to seeking approvals
No other locations are being considered
Has the City violated any laws regarding this deal and/or special meetings scheduled
Is an unfair advantage being created against other sports facilities and restaurants by the govt. assistance this one could receive?
Deeming our park "undesirable" to meet the requirements to allow the ice rink a tax abatement that it appears they would otherwise not qualify for per Indiana Code. Update: As of 4/17 the tax abatement and EDTA designation are no longer being pursued. (Source: Daily Journal Article)

What We Know

Information from News Sources and City Officials

Although all the details of the deal have not been forthcoming by the Mayor's office, here is what we know and have learned thus far:

Indy Fuel owners (The Halletts) are investing $20 million into an Iceplex to be built in Freedom Park (source: City of Greenwood)
The 115,000 sq ft facility will take up approximately 6.3 acres and sit south of Freedom Springs (source: City of Greenwood; 3/13/17 EDC meeting presentation)
The parking lot to Park/Freedom Springs will be shared with the Iceplex; which will need to be expanded. Update: 486 additional parking spaces to be added (source: 17-04 Hockey Tax Abatement Doc, City of Greenwood) Update: City is responsible for a portion (undefined) of the ongoing maintenance, snow removal, and capital reserve costs of the parking facilities. (Source: Signed Letter of Intent / City of Greenwood)
The tennis courts, basketball courts, and shelter will have to be torn down and replaced elsewhere in the park to support the initial development and parking expansion. (source: City of Greenwood; facebook page). Update: Iceplex land plat shows toddler playground, shelter, tennis courts, basketball courts, & walking trails will be affected by the lot, building, and/or additional parking (source: City of Greenwood; Common Council Resolution 17-04) Update: The city is likely responsible for removing these amenities and other obstructions. (Source: Signed Letter of Intent / City of Greenwood)
No traffic, home value impact, community interest, etc studies have been done Update: Mayor Mark Myers said a traffic study has been initiated as of 3/21/17 (Source: WTHR 13 Interview)
Hallett's are requesting a license to sell beer and wine in the Iceplex restaurant (source: City of Greenwood; 3/13/17 EDC meeting presentation)
Contradicting information when the facility will break ground; fall of this year (Hallett) or sometime in 2019 (Mayor) (source: Daily Journal, multiple articles). Construction start date: 9/1/2017 with completion date of 10/1/2018 (source: City of Greenwood; Common Council Resolution 17-04)
The Special Meeting scheduled on March 13 with the EDC was within the guidelines of the Open Door law. Update: Daily Journal confirmed receiving notice of the meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, March 9th (source: Jacob Tellers at Daily Journal)
Firland Management out of Maine is the Iceplex owners rep for this project (source: City of Greenwood; 3/13/17 EDC meeting presentation)
City is vague on future of Averitt & Stop 18 roads (source: City of Greenwood; 3/13/17 EDC meeting)
In addition to 4 ice rinks, plans for retail space, fitness center, concession stand, and restaurant have been mentioned (source: City of Greenwood; 3/13/17 EDC meeting presentation)
Iceplex will add 5 full-time jobs and 40 part-time jobs (source: City of Greenwood; Common Council Resolution 17-04)
Iceplex roof could be 32 to 22 feet tall. (Source: Signed Letter of Intent / City of Greenwood)
City building permits and inspection fees are being waived. (Source: Signed Letter of Intent / City of Greenwood)
Where is the $20 million from Halletts coming from? Update: Letter of intent stated this would remain confidential. It lists it as a combination of debt & equity. (Source: Signed Letter of Intent / City of Greenwood)
Current Greenwood Park operating hours (as of 3/21/17). May 1 - Oct 31 7:30AM to 10:30PM; Nov 1 - April 30th 8:00AM - Dusk (Source: City of Greenwood Website)
2015 Greenwood Recreation Zone Improvement Plan lists Freedom Park as a "Community Park". Community parks are described as being typically between 51 and 400 acres and provide recreation for two or more neighborhoods. A "Special" park is one that is described to provide recreation to all local communities or the region. (Source: City of Greenwood Recreation Zone Improvement Plan 2015-2024 Page 23-24)
Park Shelters/Gazebos (1/2500), Playgrounds (neighborhood)(1/4000), and Park Restrooms (1/4000) were found to be the top 3 desired recreational components. Skating Area (non-hockey)(1/80,000) and Skating Rinks (hockey) (1/100,000) were the last two on the list reflecting recreational desire. (Source: City of Greenwood Recreation Zone Improvement Plan 2015-2024 Page 27)
Park/Open Space was listed as the most deficient recreational component in relation to community need. Skating Rinks (hockey) was listed at #22 and Skating Area (non-hockey) was listed at #20 on the same list. 31 items were listed and some were given an "A" priority. Of the three aforementioned items, only Park/Open Space had an "A" priority. (Source: City of Greenwood Recreation Zone Improvement Plan 2015-2024 Page 28)
Sean Hallett stated that the first Greenwood Common Council meeting regarding the tax abatement request was the "first time here being in the city of Greenwood". This of course weeks after the deal was announced and months since negotiations started. The deal was made and location chosen without setting foot in the city from all the information we have. (Source: 3/20 Greenwood Common Council Recording 25:09)
Sean Hallett declared his 3 priorities to be 1) To not lose money 2) Serve the Community/Expand their brand 3) Make a profit (Source: 3/20 Greenwood Common Council Recording 35:13)
Amendment was added to Common Council Resolution 17-04. "As a term and commitment of this tax abatement, the City hereby covenants not to expand or connect Stop 18 Road in a manner other than internally within Freedom Park or to Cutsinger Road without further approval and action by resolution of the Common Council. " (source: City of Greenwood; Common Council Resolution 17-04)
At the request of residents, Mayor Mark Myers met with concerned individuals on 4/1/17. The Mayor handed out a document to attendees and presented on it. (Source: Greenwood Iceplex / Freedom Park Q&A)
First reading of resolution 17-04 passed with a 5-4 vote. For: Gibson/Hill/Hopper/Bates/Campbell Against: Landon/Lekse/Armstrong/Corey (Source: 4/3 Greenwood Common Council Meeting)
The legality of allowing an ice skating rink a tax abatement came into question. Multiple residents and Councilman David Lekse voiced concerns that this is unlawful based on IC 6-1.1-12.1-3. Ice Skating Rinks listed under #5 are shown as being excluded from receiving an abatement. City Counsel argued that the EDTA section 7 exemption under #10 includes also #1 through #9. Based on the punctuation it appears that it only applies to #10. The discussion on this can be heard at 15:50 and 2:02:30 in the recorded meeting. (Source: 4/3 Greenwood Common Council Meeting)
Councilman Chuck Landon submitted an amendment to prohibit alcohol sales for the duration of the 5 year tax abatement. This amendment failed. (Source: 4/3 Greenwood Common Council Meeting)
Councilman David Hopper submitted an amendment that the resolution require construction of the Iceplex comply with the architectural requirements contained in the I-65 overlay district. The west side of the Iceplex should also be screened. This amendment passed. (Source: 4/3 Greenwood Common Council Meeting)

Contact savefreedompark@gmail.com if you have any corrections, updates, or additions. Please include the source of the information. Information listed in this section is as we know it from the sources listed.

Questions and Clarifications

Items that need asked or require further clarification:

Krista Taggart stated in the 3/13/17 EDC presentation that schools and libraries were among those who will benefit from the tax revenue of the iceplex. What specific schools will benefit and what percentage of this tax revenue will they receive?
What park amenities will be removed for the construction of the iceplex? What is the cost to remove and/or re-purpose them? Who is responsible for the cost? Where is the plan design of the new location of said amenities within the park?
Where is additional parking going? What is the seating capacity of the iceplex and ratio to parking required? What is the plan for overflow?
How much of the $20 million investment by the Halletts is debt?
What is the business model for the iceplex and the architectural plan design?
What retention pond will this facility connect to?

*This site is not affiliated with the City of Greenwood, Indiana Ice Arenas, LLC, or Indy Fuel. Information here is collected from different sources to try and help the community understand as many details as possible. Contact Information: savefreedompark@gmail.com