The architectural, engineering, and construction community in Indiana is unwavering in its dedication to delivering exceptional buildings throughout the state in 2023. In this edition of "Improving our Built Environment," a selection of local projects that have recently commenced construction will be showcased.Lutheran Health Network is partnering with MKM architecture + design for improvements to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. A ceremonial groundbreaking took place in mid-April. Over 25,700 square feet of new construction and renovations represent a $30 million capital investment to the health and well-being of Warsaw residents and the surrounding areas.

The hospital offers a variety of quality services close to home, including emergency care, an urgent care center, heart and stroke care, orthopedics, occupational health, rehabilitation services, a sleep center, a wound care center, and a cancer care center providing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Services will remain uninterrupted during phases of construction.

Improvements include: An expanded, redesigned lobby with new public entry, renovations to all patient rooms, public spaces, and nursing stations on the medical, surgical, and intensive care units, updates to the hospital façade, and new campus exterior signage to enhance patient wayfinding.

In addition, surgical services are updated to include an expanded pre- and post-surgical bay with three additional spaces for increased patient privacy and more room for family members to be with loved ones, the renovation of existing operating room so surgeons can accommodate more complex cases – allowing patients to be scheduled sooner and remain close to home when surgery is needed, and an expanded sterile processing area with new technology for faster equipment sterilization.

After nearly a year of planning and design, local leaders, police officers, firefighters, and residents gathered for the groundbreaking of Cedar Lake’s new Public Safety Complex, a milestone marking a new chapter in this fast-growing community’s continued commitment to public safety. The thoughtful dedication and vision of the Town Council, along with the town’s administration, police, and fire departments to fully bring this dream to reality is inspiring.

Project partners include GM Development, The Veridus Group, Inc., CORE, DS ARCHITECTURE, and Shrewsberry & Associates.

The Farmers Bank is a lifelong community partner in central Indiana dedicated to providing its customers with the highest level of care and attention. April’s groundbreaking was an exciting step in their journey as they develop their footprint across the state.

Project partners include Meyer Najem, Circle Design Group, Fink Roberts & Petrie, Inc., and Stoeppelwerth & Associates, Inc.

Eli Lilly and Company broke ground in April on two new manufacturing facilities at the LEAP Innovation and Research District in Boone County. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Lilly CEO Dave Ricks also announced additional new jobs and investment, bringing the company’s committed total to $3.7 billion and 700 new jobs. Lilly's new operations at LEAP represent the largest manufacturing investment at a single location around the world in the company's 147-year history – as well as the state’s first investment in the new LEAP Innovation and Research district, which is envisioned to be a best-in-class home for cutting-edge industry growth, powering this region and the entire state for generations to come.This March, Bridge of Grace, a Fort Wayne-based ministries organization, officially broke ground on their new building to house the Mt. Vernon Park Early Learning Center, Mt. Vernon Community Clinic, and Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries Center.

The nearly 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Early Learning Center will serve around 200 kids each day and will house various classrooms, dedicated sensory areas, easy access to outdoor play spaces, and more. This transformational building will change generations of lives by providing a space for children to grow and learn. The Early Learning Center’s environment will be so welcoming that in the words of Architectural Designer Kelly Shields, “When children walk inside, they will feel so safe and comfortable they’ll sing.”

The 5,000-square-foot Compassionate Ministries Center will act as the headquarters for staff and a space to bring the community and emerging leaders together. This space will have individual workspaces, conference rooms, and private offices. In partnership with Parkview, the 3,000-square-foot virtual care Mt. Vernon Community Clinic will be a local resource to equip the community with accessible healthcare.

Located on the southeast side of Fort Wayne, this facility will bring new programs and opportunities to the Mt. Vernon Neighborhood. Free high-quality education programs, healthcare, and other resources, will grant growth and hope to residents, continuing to bring Bridge of Grace’s dreams to life. Project Manager Chris Stine said, “I haven’t seen a project that will make a bigger impact from the day it opens its doors than this one. I can hardly wait to see what happens in this space.”

Design Collaborative and Weigand Construction are partnering on this project. Ground has officially been broken and construction is active on site with plans for the project to be completed in the summer of 2024.

Ryan Fireprotection has broken ground and is constructing a new addition to add 49,000 square feet to its existing headquarters in Noblesville. The current headquarters was built in 2002 and is 50,000 square feet.

“Ryan Fireprotection’s decision to expand its corporate headquarters in Noblesville continues our focused strategy to build economic relationships in our community, so when those successful companies need to grow, they choose to remain in Noblesville,” said Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen. “We appreciate Ryan Fireprotection’s confidence and continued investment in Noblesville and share in their excitement to more than double their footprint in Noblesville.”

Ryan Fireprotection’s expansion includes a $4 million investment and will create 10 new full-time jobs in Noblesville. The decision to expand on its current site of East 148th Street and Cumberland Road retains 80 full-time positions in the city.

Ground has officially broken and construction is officially in motion on the new 18,000-square-foot Fine Arts Center at Canterbury School. Located on the Smith Road campus in Fort Wayne, this center will serve as the hub for Canterbury’s Academy of the Arts program, which launched in 2020.

Featured in the new space will be an art gallery, black box theatre, recording studio and podcasting center, 2D and 3D visual art classrooms, and a digital photography lab. In addition, classrooms for band, choir, and orchestra, alongside performance and reception spaces will be constructed. Design Collaborative’s passionately designed spaces center around student success, and Canterbury’s unanimous vote to move forward with construction shows they are not afraid to dream big and inspire their students. The building is currently set to open in August 2024.

Located just six miles north of downtown Indianapolis, Broad Ripple Village is in a season of revitalization. The longest-established cultural district in Indianapolis is in the midst of a $271 million improvement plan from infrastructure to beautification, and three real estate developers are eager to play a part in the enhancement. Local developers Milhaus, Gershman Partners, and Citimark have closed on a first-of-its-kind mixed-use development in the heart of Broad Ripple named Versa. The $70 million-plus development will sit right off Broad Ripple’s main strip at 6220 Guilford Avenue.

Coinciding with the village’s current infrastructure improvement plan, the companies have worked diligently with the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) and the City of Indianapolis to further their vision and commitment to the community. Accompanying the Versa complex, the developers will enhance sidewalks, create a sleek alley, improve streetscape design elements and more.

The developers are also working with DKGR for architecture and interior design, civil engineer design firm Civil & Environmental Consultants, and lender Lake City Bank to develop the new property. Construction began in May and is expected to conclude in 2024.