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IN THIS ISSUE Westfield in Lights 2015 Grand Park Update New Businesses
keeping you up-to-date on what’s happening in your city
WINTER 2015 | COMMUNICATIONS@WESTFIELD.IN.GOV | WESTFIELD.IN.GOV
2015 Special Census
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR
ELECTED OFFICIALS Andy Cook Mayor
We’ve reached the end of another year. With the growth of Grand Park’s success, businesses taking root in our downtown and new houses popping up left and right, 2015 was certainly a busy time for Westfield.
Cindy Gossard Clerk Treasurer Chuck Lehman City Council President
We’ve also seen many improvements taking place in terms of our infrastructure. Resurfacing projects on some of our major roads have made driving a bit more smooth, and new roundabouts at 161/Oak Ridge and 156/Spring Mill have hopefully made an improvement in your daily commute. And let’s not forget that the US 31 project through Westfield has finally been completed! I know many of you are looking for ways to give back at this time of year. Please don’t forget that many of our charitable organizations throughout the city can benefit from your time and financial support. I would also encourage you to bring unwrapped, new toys to City Services (2728 E 171st Street) before December 8th. We’ll be donating these items to the Salvation Army through WISH TV’s “Tweet for Toys” event. Thanks to all of you for everything you do for our community all year long. Sincerely,
Jim Ake, Robert Horkay, Steve Hoover, Bob Smith, Cindy L. Spoljaric, Robert Stokes City Council Members
STAFF Todd Burtron Chief of Staff Joel Rush Police Chief Joe Lyons Fire Chief Melody Jones Parks & Recreation Director Ken Alexander Grand Park Director John Rogers Enterprise Director Matt Skelton Economic & Community Development Director Jeremy Lollar Public Works Director Chris Larsen Informatics Director Erin Murphy Communications Director
City of Westfield | westfield.in.gov /CityofWestfield /@CityofWestfield /CityofWestfield City of Westfield App (available for IOS and Android devices) /WestfieldIN @wstfldwelcome; @westfieldin
Grand Park | grandpark.org / Grand Park – The Sports Campus at Westfield /GrandParkSports superservicetraining.com @grandparksports #1 Best Places in Indiana Money Magazine 2011 & 2013
‘Fill the Boot’ Surpasses Fundraising Expectations! Members of the Westfield Fire Department were able to raise $13,000 in support of those suffering from muscular dystrophy during September’s ‘Fill the Boot’ fundraiser. “Thanks to the efforts of on-duty personnel, and the overwhelming generosity of our residents, we were able to collect more than $13,000 this year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association,” said Westfield Fire Chief Joe Lyons. “Not only does this blow our previous collection record out of the water, it sets a new benchmark for us to surpass next year.” More than 70 members of the department fanned out across the city with boots in hand for this year’s drive on September 4, 5, and 6. Locations were at the corner of
State Road 32 and Union St. and at E Greyhound Pass and Cool Creek Park Road. Funds raised through 2015 Westfield Fill the Boot event will build on decades of research progress, helping push science to its limits in the search for treatments and cures. Dollars raised also help support MDA’s life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and clinics, including the MDA Clinic at Riley Children’s Hospital and IU Neuroscience Center in downtown Indianapolis. They also make MDA summer camp possible so kids with muscle disease can enjoy “the best week of the year” at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Indiana and nearly 80 other locations nationwide.
Westfield Firefighters raised money for muscular dystrophy research and support programs in September.
2015 Grand Junction Derby and Street Festival Recap Derby Car Races, Food, Live Music and Family Activities Bring Westfield Families Downtown
The seventh annual Grand Junction Derby and Street Festival energized Westfield’s downtown on October 3rd. “We are now in our seventh year and still going strong,” Parks Director Melody Jones said. “This year’s derby and street festival featured a derby car parade, tricycle and derby races and much more. It’s fun for the whole family!” The homemade cars competed in bracketed heats until winners found their names going up on the Grand Junction Derby Cup trophy. Cars competed in the “cre-
ative” or “competitive” brackets, and drivers were encouraged to wear costumes that complement their car’s theme. This year’s race featured international racing champion
The seventh annual Grand Junction Derby and Street Festival energized Westfield’s downtown on a chilly October afternoon. and Westfield resident Derek Daly, who emceed the event along with Jeff Boller.
THANKS TO ALL RACERS!
Santa Claus is once again coming to town as Westfield in Lights returns to Westfield! This year’s Westfield in Lights celebration will be held December 5th from 5 - 7 p.m. in downtown Westfield. The event will feature two horse-drawn carriages; train rides; choirs from Heartland Church, Union Bible College and Oak Trace Elementary School; and the chance for kids to get their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus!* The Westfield Friends Church will once again present a live nativity in Hadley Park. Union Baking Company will be serving hot chocolate, cookies, coffee, tomato bisque and grilled cheese sandwiches near Santa and the main stage. The tree lighting will take place promptly at 7p.m., with music and reindeer entertainment preceding the lighting. This is a great event that is fun for the whole family. For maps, parking information and a schedule of events, visit www.enjoywestfieldevents.com/lights
*Pictures with Santa begin at 3 p.m.
“This winter’s Westfield in Lights will be the sixth year for the event. It keeps getting better every year!” -Melody Jones, Westfield Parks Director
Westfield Council Approves Amendment to Comprehensive Plan The Westfield City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Westfield-Washington Township Comprehensive Plan at its October 12th meeting.
The amendment focuses specifically on the four quadrants of the US 31 and SR 32 interchange. “This area is the primary gateway into Westfield and therefore plays a critical role in the community’s economic development strategy,” Skelton said.
The amendment focuses on detailed guidelines for the Grand Junction Gateway sub-district. Originally introduced to the council at its August 10, 2015 meeting, the amendment identifies appropriate land use and establishes preferred site design and architectural expectations in the sub-district area. “As Westfield continues to move forward with development in the downtown area, we want to remain true
To view the Grand Junction Gateway Sub-District Addendum, visit: http://bit.ly/1GFNF7o to the community’s vision of creating a vibrant and memorable impression for Westfield’s front door,” said Economic and Community Development Director Matt Skelton.
“We want to remain true to the community’s vision...” Matt Skelton, Westfield Economic and Community Development
Westfield Special Census: YOU COUNT! Update to an earlier story! Westfield’s city council voted to move forward with a special census this past summer and census enumerators have begun going door-to-door. All workers will have a U.S. Census Bureau badge. When the census enumerator knocks on your door, they will ask you five questions for each person living in your household. The interview should take about 10 minutes. Please answer
the door and help our community. Your participation will help Westfield qualify for federal and state revenue that can help with things like street repair, education dollars and other important services! Whether or not you are a U.S. citizen, your information that identifies you or your household is private and cannot be released. Each Census Bureau worker takes an oath to protect your answers. If they violate this
oath, they will face a maximum of 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine. That is the law! For more information, feel free to contact census@westfield.in.gov!
Two Westfield Businesses Honored With “Snail of Approval” Recognition Snail of Approval was launched three years ago by Slow Food Indy. The goal is to showcase chefs, restaurants and grocers in Central Indiana that are committed to clean and good food. In order to be considered for a “Snail of Approval” businesses have to prove they use local and sustainable products and season ingredients, use green business practices and invest in fair labor and the humane treatment of people and animals. This year two Westfield businesses were recognized with the “Snail of Approval”. The Local Eatery and Pub were honored in the restaurant category. The Local Eatery and Pub’s mission statement clearly defines their commitment to using fresh, local ingredients and being environmentally conscious. “Our mission is to be a socially and environmentally responsible business in an eco-friendly environment serving healthy regional, great tasting, fresh foods that are grown, raised and produced by local artisans.” – The Local Eatery and Pub. Another Westfield business that made the list is
The Rail Epicurean Market. The Rail was given the “Snail of Approval” in the Grocer category. The owners, Toby and Melanie Miles, are focused on offering delicious food and artisanal products that highlight not only Westfield, but all of Central Indiana. “Our goal is to bring the best the Midwest has to offer.” – The Rail Epicurean. If you have a chance these are two great Westfield businesses being recognized by their peers.
Westfield Economic Development Highlights DuraMark Technologies started in 2007 in Westfield by Bill Bussick and Steve Diller. The business makes safety labels and branding decals for manufacturing companies. Currently the business has outgrown their space, which is located at 209 E. 175th St just south of State Road 32. They are planning to construct a new $2.1 million headquarters in Westfield and hire an additional 18 employees making an average salary of $45,000 a year. Indiana’s first Smashburger has opened up in Westfield. The fast food restaurant is located in Cool Creek Commons on E. 146th Street. Smashburger prides itself in delicious burgers that are smashed and seared to perfection. This location offers the Hoosier Smashburger which features Hoosier Daddy BBQ Sauce, Applewood bacon, sliced aged cheddar and haystack onions with an egg bun. Get a taste of Italy right here in downtown Westfield. The Italian House on Park is open for business. The restaurant is at 219 Park Street, near the future site of the downtown revitalization project, Grand Junction Plaza. The fine dining restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday. You can get more information from their website: www.theitalianhouseonpark.com.
Westfield Participates in ‘Tweet for Toys’ For the third year in a row, the City of Westfield is participating in the WISHTV-8 “Tweet for Toys” toy collection drive. All new and unwrapped toys will be donated to the Salvation Army of Indianapolis and distributed to families during the holiday season. The process is simple: WISHTV drives a huge truck all around central Indiana and selects different organizations to visit and collect the toys from. This year’s toy pick-up day will be December 10th and Westfield would love to see WISHTV select our city to visit again. Starting November 9th and running through December 8th, there will be boxes at different drop-off locations including the City Services Building (2728 E. 171st Street), Westfield Pharmacy (103 S Union St), and Union Baking Company (303 E Main St). This is a great opportunity for Westfield to showcase what a wonderful and giving community we are. Toys must be unwrapped. Our goal is to exceed the past two years and make 2015’s toy collection the best yet.
If you are interested in participating in “Tweet for Toys” by donating items or being a dropoff location, please contact Erin Shockley via email at eshockley@westfield.in.gov.
Grand Park Indoor Facility Update The Indoor Field Sports Arena is taking shape at Grand Park with the placement of the steel support beams. The 370,000 square foot building will house three full-size fields for recreational play and competitive play for all field sports. The building also features office space, locker rooms, meeting rooms and a restaurant focused on family dining operated by Jonathan Byrd’s. It is scheduled to open mid-summer 2016.
he 370,000 square foot building will house three full-size fields for recreational play and competitive play
Westfield Welcome Website Launched Designed to showcase the unique offerings in Westfield, the “Westfield Welcome” website is now live! It features restaurant and entertainment listings, upcoming event schedules, special offers, featured stories, volunteer opportunities and more. The goal is to be a central resource for all things Westfield. Whether you’re a visitor to Westfield, a resident or a business owner, you can find the most current community information at westfieldwelcome.com.
130 Penn St., Westfield, IN 46074
For everything you need to know... westfield.in.gov
westfieldwelcome.com
grandpark.org
enjoywestfieldevents.com
City Council VP Jim Ake presented Westfield student Oni Davenport with a proclamation in October. Oni was selected as one of eight statewide 2016 Riley Champions presented by Kroger and the Riley Children’s Foundation for his philanthropic spirit and inspirational attitude.