Steve Hardin: Fishers, Indiana Development Extends From City Hall's 'Specific Vision'

Under Mayor Scott Fadness, the city of Fishers, Indiana is working to become a haven of urban life. As detailed in the Indianapolis Star, the city has invested in “bold, controversial and expensive plans” to rejuvenate the downtown area, encourage commercial development and improve its infrastructure. Steve Harden, partner in Faegre Baker Daniels real estate practice, told the Star that the mayor’s initiatives have changed the way the city approaches development projects. The city used to simply review proposals submitted by private developers, whose ideas shaped the landscape of the city. Now, developers draft proposals to fit into the city’s plan.   

"When you have a town council, they by nature were more reactionary to proposals brought to them," Hardin said. "Now you have a city and a mayor that has a specific vision that is directing and guiding the managed growth."