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NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Businesses and residents in downtown Noblesville are preparing to see more orange barrels come out as crews are getting ready to work on a big road project that will close part of State Road 32 in phases starting Monday.
The Nesst, a downtown steakhouse, first opened its doors during the height of the pandemic, a time that pushed many locally owned shops and restaurants across Indiana out of business.
“To now being a new business, trying to get the word out there, trying to educate people where we are and what we’re serving, has been challenging to say the least,” The Nesst General Manager Justin McGuire explained.
Luckily, The Nesst sits on a corner of the city’s heavily trafficked historic square. But now, it’s also along the path of the upcoming State Road 32 project, something the staff worries might deter customers for the next several months.
“Having construction right on our front door is an extra element that we’re going to have to find a way to survive,” McGuire said.
Other businesses on State Road 32, between 6th and 16th Streets, have said the same thing, all brainstorming ways to avoid losing customers amid the road closure.
“We’re going to try to do some more off-site events to hopefully make up for the revenue that we can’t make in the restaurant, we can do outside the restaurant, things like that,” McGuire added.
The Nesst will also be increasing its social media presence to remind the community it’s still open.
“We don’t want people to feel deterred that it’s going to be difficult to get here because it actually is pretty easy and inexpensive for parking if you park at the garage,” McGuire said.
INDOT crews will be closing the road to dig up century-old brick underneath, replacing it with fresh pavement. The work will be done in the following phases:
- Phase 1: State Road 32 at the intersection of 16th Street
- Phase 2: State Road 32 from 9th Street to 14th Street
- Phase 3: State Road 32 from 6th Street to 9th Street
- Phase 4: State Road 32 from Lakeview Drive to 19th Street
Each is expected to last about 30-45 days through the rest of the year.
“It’s going to be a really quick project,” INDOT Public Relations Director Kyleigh Cramer said. “I know some people might think that’s a little long, but we’re really excited we’re able to make all of this happen in one construction season.”
INDOT officials also said they’ve been working hard to keep the community informed through social media accounts, newsletters and a website dedicated to the project, especially with other construction projects going on at the same time.
“The first few days – it’s going to be kind of figuring it out, especially if you’ve not heard of the project or if you don’t live in Noblesville, but we are very eager to see the success of our prior communication to see how it plays out,” Cramer added.
Businesses in the area are hoping a new road will be worth the wait, asking customers for continued support in the meantime.
“I think on the back half of it, it will be good for our restaurant, it’s just getting through it right now,” McGuire said.
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