Editorial note: East and Main Flats was later renamed The Barlow.
PLAINFIELD, IN – The Town of Plainfield and development partners, Rebar Development and Hageman Group, announced plans to move forward on a mixed-use redevelopment project in downtown Plainfield today, after the Town of Plainfield’s Town Council approval on the evening of Monday, October 22nd. The project is the first to move forward under the guidance of the Town’s Conceptual Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
“The Town of Plainfield really took initiative to guide private developers who expressed interest in investing here,” said Dan Bridget, Council Member for the Town of Plainfield. “This is a big first step in what will be a 20-year redevelopment plan. This announcement is exciting, as we move forward with hiring an architect for the Town’s public projects.”
East and Main Flats is an investment of $21 million and will create an iconic visual gateway along US 40, entering downtown Plainfield from Avon Avenue and Main Street. The four-story, building will include 117 modern apartment homes, up to 7,000 square feet of commercial space, and 150 surface parking spaces. The apartment homes–a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom units—will include high-quality finishes and amenities. Fourteen of the units are being set aside for affordable workforce housing.
“We are excited to be a part of the energy and growth happening in Plainfield,” said Shelby Bowen, President of Rebar Development. “This administration and community have worked tirelessly on this master plan and it’s a great road map for moving forward. East and Main Flats was designed to meet many of the Town’s goals for redevelopment of their downtown.”
The East and Main Flats project was developed in response to the vision set forth by the Town Council last year in the Conceptual Downtown Redevelopment Plan. A culmination of countless engagement hours with Town officials, community stakeholders, and the public, the Downtown Redevelopment Plan identified key metrics for continued growth and fiscal sustainability. To move forward, proposed projects must emulate the character of existing properties within the historic town center as directed by the Conceptual Plan.
“East and Main Flats really is a great first step in the redevelopment of downtown Plainfield,” said Robin Brandgard, Council President for the Town of Plainfield. “We have a very thorough master plan for this area and this project meets the specific needs, including dense housing in the town center and additional commercial space.”
With project approval from the Town Council, Rebar Development is moving forward with the architectural design of the building, and updated renderings will be released as available. Additional improvements to the parcel include streetscape enhancements and may include work to the roadway. Construction will likely start in the Spring of 2019. The Town of Plainfield has requested the newly established Community Development Corporation (CDC) to facilitate the project and work alongside Rebar Development to assist with relocation efforts for current occupants.
“Projects like East and Main Flats act as a catalyst for redeveloping downtowns, because they help attract and retain talented professionals to the area. In our experience, these types of projects have a tangible positive economic impact to the downtown and community as whole,” said Bowen.