Parking Facility in The Works Near Airport

September 11, 2012

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - A ruling last week by a Marion County Superior Court judge has cleared the way for a new project that will give Central Indiana air travelers another parking option in their travels to and from the Indianapolis International Airport. Cincinnati, OH-based Chavez Properties will soon begin construction on the 2,000 spot "Fast Park & Relax" off-airport parking facility in the AmeriPlex business park in Decatur Township, just south of the airport.

For the past year, the project has been the target of zoning challenge sponsored by another off-airport parking facility, the nearby Plainfield, IN-based "Indy Park Ride & Fly." Earlier this year, the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) joined that opposition effort when it testified against the project at a February 15 hearing of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC). After the MDC approved the project at that February hearing, the IAA filed a complaint in March of this year asking Judge Michael Keele to overturn that MDC ruling. The judge's denial of the IAA's legal challenge will now allow the $15-million project to move forward, and create 45 new jobs in Indianapolis.

"We are pleased with Judge Keele's ruling, and are excited to be coming to Indianapolis, a market that we have long sought for a number of reasons, including the City’s long history of growth," said Manuel Chavez, President of Chavez Properties.

For AmeriPlex and Decatur Township, the project will provide much needed tax base and jobs, and additional commercial development in particular that the project will attract to the park and township.

"We are excited that the 'Fast Park and Relax' project can now finally move forward, and we are looking forward to working on a number of other developments that have been awaiting approval of the project," said Chris Wilkes, Senior Vice President of Holladay Properties, the developers and managers of the AmeriPlex business park. According to Wilkes, those projects include a gas station and convenience store, as well as restaurants and other retail amenities that will benefit business owners and residents alike in Decatur Township.

"Fast Park & Relax is exactly the kind of business we need to add at the AmeriPlex park," stated Gary Schahet, chairman of Schahet Hotels which developed and has operated two hotels in the AmeriPlex since 2008. He said that one of the constant and recurring complaints from customers is the lack of nearby amenities. By attracting such amenities, Schahet said, "we know that the new parking facility will be a positive impact on the park and township."

"Decatur Township is actively pursuing new businesses and new jobs. We are delighted to welcome 'Fast Park & Relax' and believe that this could easily generate more development in AmeriPlex," said Jason Holiday, City-County Councilor who represents the district.

"Attracting Fast Park & Relax to Ameriplex is huge for Decatur Township," said Pat Andrews, representing the township's Civic Council. Pointing to Fast Park & Relax's extensive landscaping and its signature use of canopies that shelter the cars from the sun and elements and further reduce the 'heat island' effect found on expansive parking lots, Andrews stated, "this is a green business and one that is not asking for any tax abatement; their value to our community will be immediate and long-lasting. It's exactly what we need for our community - new jobs and new revenue," she said.

About AmeriPlex

Located across I-70 from the Indianapolis International Airport and just 10 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, AmeriPlex is a premier business park that houses more than six million square feet of development and 5,000 jobs. AmeriPlex supports this development community with many amenities, including on-site day care, education opportunities, retail services, and more than five miles of pathways that create a balanced nature/work environment. Additionally, AmeriPlex earned the first designation by the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) as Indiana's first "Wildlife-Friendly Development," through the park's expansive areas of natural habitat preservation, enhancement and restoration. For more information, visit holladayproperties.com.

About Fast Park & Relax

Chavez Properties is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has developed 16 "Fast Park & Relax" facilities in 12 markets throughout the country. These facilities provide customer service focused airport parking, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, with continuous and fast shuttle service that transports travelers from their parking spot to their airport terminal. Facilities are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Houston, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Miami, Florida; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Orlando, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Tucson, Arizona. For more information visit fastparkandrelax.com.

Source: Chavez Properties Inc.