This year, Franklin is embarking on a plan with the Indiana Department of Transportation to redesign traffic flow on U.S. 31 through the city.
If approved, it would change the way drivers navigate intersections, add trails and make the highway safer for pedestrians.
But Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett has another vision that would result in a big change for motorists and commuters: The city is going to study whether an exit off Interstate 65 should be built at Earlywood Drive. The drive becomes County Road 300 North where it crosses the interstate, and would be halfway between the Whiteland Road and State Road 44 exit, if it were built.
The idea was an example of the progress and excitement Barnett outlined for Franklin during his State of the City speech on Thursday.
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Franklin just finished a historic year in terms of infrastructure investment, Barnett said. But the pace is not slowing, as the city continues roadwork projects, designs an amphitheater, monitors environmental cleanup, recruits businesses and works to make the city a destination.
"The city’s momentum is building and I look forward to working together to shape opportunities in Franklin for generations to come," said Barnett, who is seeking election this year. He was appointed as mayor two years ago, and said he wants to keep working to improve the city’s quality of life and keep the public informed.
Barnett painted a picture of the development and investment in the city, showing how people are choosing to open businesses and live in the community.
Several new, unique restaurants are opening. Luxury apartments are being built. A new subdivision is planned.
In 2018, the Garment Factory opened. New restaurants came to Franklin. The co-working space downtown began. Employers expanded and new businesses picked Franklin.
New hotels are being built and the largest industrial building in the county is being built at State Road 44 and Interstate 65. The city’s network of trails is nearly 20 miles long after an expansion, including pedestrian bridges, in 2018.
But his favorite project this past year: Working with his Youth Leadership Council to build the inclusive playground at Blue Heron Park.
"Franklin had an amazing year," Barnett said. "One of the biggest years ever for our city. That is our journey to excellence."
He points to the success of the growing downtown festivals and parks department events as further evidence that Franklin has become a destination.
He wants to take that reputation further. Designs are underway for an amphitheater and greenspace downtown on property that typically floods during heavy rainfalls. The project will be designed this year, and the goal is to open it in 2022, he said.
And he’s asking residents to endure yet another season of massive road projects after a brutal 2018 that inconvenienced drivers taking detours and residents seeing increased traffic on their neighborhood streets and sent semis through downtown.
More phases of Jefferson Street will be rebuilt this year, and a roundabout will be built at Arvin and Eastview drives and Hurricane Road. But this time, the truck bypass won’t close.
Commerce Drive, South Street and Westview Drive will be paved, as well as neighborhood streets and alleys.
Barnett said he must acknowledge a big project in 2018 that took much of his time and attention: Addressing the environmental contamination concerns. He told the crowd how he had worked methodically with the responsible agencies, such as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the U.S. Environmental Agency, as they hold accountable the businesses or landowners responsible for the clean-up.
"Every mayor wants to be known for improvements to public safety, quality of life, infrastructure, economic development and an increased job market," Barnett said. "When I’m done and go home, I want to be known as the mayor who cleaned up the environment."
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State of the City: Round 2
Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett will present his State of the City address a second time for residents who were unable to attend Thursday’s mid-day event.
When: 6 p.m. March 12
Where: Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St., Franklin
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