Bill Miller, an avid cyclist and long-time Fishers resident, has for years hit the Monon Trail for his regular treks, pedaling north through Carmel as far as Sheridan.
But lately he's taken a detour, if only a short one.
Perched in his low-rider recumbent trike with a red pennant flying high in the the back, Miller, 65, has been cruising the Nickel Plate Trail.
Or, rather, what will be the Nickel Plate Trail in a couple years.
He and other Fishers residents are getting a sneak peek at what one could be considered the trail's "soft opening. " A mile-long stretch of the Nickel Plate corridor has been paved and is giving residents a taste of the planned 4.5-mile greenway.
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"It's short," Miller, a resident of 34 years, said, "but I like it and have been coming almost everyday."
Dog walkers, foot commuters and mothers with baby strollers can be found, if not in abundance, at least semi-regularly on the trail from North Street to 126th Street. It stretches from just east of the Fishers Municipal Complex and the Switch and Depot apartment buildings, behind subdivisions to the Fishers YMCA next to State Road 37.
The trail isn’t formally open — in fact there are a couple of "No trespassing" signs posted — but city officials aren’t discouraging people from using it, said Ashley Elrod, a spokeswoman for Fishers.
Paving from South Street to 96th Street has been prepared and will be finished by the end of the year, Elrod said. A tunnel at 116th Street, connecting the two paved portions, will be built next summer, when 126th Street to 146th Street is paved.
A meeting is scheduled Wednesday before the Board of Public Works and Safety to announce preliminary selection of a contractor to dig the tunnel, when the estimated cost will also be revealed. Fishers has approved $16 million for the entire trail construction.
Investment near trail
When complete, the trail will run from 96th Street to 146th Street. Indianapolis and Noblesville plan to continue the trail into their cities but are far behind Fishers in construction.
Fishers will line its trail with amenities such as playgrounds, recreational areas, art, reading spaces, boardwalks and plazas. Residential and commercial development is rising next to the trail, particular at 116th Street.
"This will become what the Monon is in the busiest section near Main Street in Carmel," predicted Miller, who was biking with his 7-year-old grandson, Garrett. "I'm supportive of it. I think people will like it."
A $157 million project is under construction on both sides of 116th Street.
To the south will be a six-story, 180,000-square-foot headquarters for First Internet Bank and a parking garage. Next to it will be the 116-room luxury Hotel Nickel Plate, with a restaurant and possibly a patio overlooking the ramp to the tunnel.
On the north side, three buildings with apartments, town homes and retail space are in development, as well as parking for 341 cars, are being built.
The city has also set aside more than $180,000 to build privacy fences, walls or landscaping barriers to block off residential backyards from the trail, which used to be train tracks.
Each homeowner will be eligible for $2,000 grants. If the land facing the trail is more than 300 feet in length, the residents can get an extra $500. Information on how to apply can be found at nickelplatetrail.com/cityoffishers.
Build it, they say they'll come
Chris Hatfield, 29, said he has been using the nascent Nickel Plate since paving started. He lives in Greenwood but spends most of his time at his girlfriend's apartment in the Sparks development.
"We take her dog for walks every night and I've jogged on it pretty regularly," he said. "It's great because of the easy access. I have nothing like it in Greenwood."
David Pierce, 39,was on his way to eat lunch at a local Mexican restaurant on 116th Street when he and his wife noticed that the trail was paved.
So they took a walk before eating.
"It will be a nice asset for people," Pierce said, "especially for those who live alongside it who want to get outside."
Though he lives about five miles away in the Gray Eagle subdivision, Pierce — who likes to bike ride — said he plans to pedal to the Nickel Plate.
"Fishers has done a much better job over the years with their trail connectivity," he said, "and I shouldn't have any trouble getting over here."
Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418. Email at john.tuohy@indystar.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.
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A mile of the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers has been paved and people are using it already - IndyStar
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