Partners Lined Up For Fishers Nickel Plate Trail
Two firms have been selected to collaborate on a master plan for the Fishers Nickel Plate Trail. NBBJ in Ohio and Indianapolis-based Ex2 Partners will work with the Hamilton County city’s Nickel Plate Trail Master Planning Committee on architecture and design elements on the stretch that runs between 96th Street and 146th Street in Hamilton County.
NBBJ is an architecture firm headquartered in Seattle and has offices throughout the world. Ex2 Partners will consult the group on design matters related to community engagement, ideation and branding. Committee Co-Chair Amanda Welu says "combined, NBBJ and Ex2 Partners bring global experience and local expertise to what promises to be an engaging process for our city and residents."
The rail-to-trail project will stretch north into Noblesville and south to Indianapolis. The committee in Fishers issued a Request For Proposals for the master planning process in June and received submissions from nine parties. Final consulting agreements among the city, NBBJ and Ex2 must receive approval from the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety.
When the project was first unveiled in February of 2017, estimates pegged the work at around $9.3 million. The first leg is expected to be completed between 2019 and 2020.