Many Geist residents have longed to have a neighborhood identity. Indianapolis, Fishers, Fortville, and McCordsville all become Geist when you live within earshot of the reservoir. Thanks to the Geist Impoundment Fund and its overseers, Geist now has a logo that you’ll start seeing more of in the coming months. “The one thing we heard at our community meetings early on was that Geist residents did not want to lose their identity,” said Jeff Lantz, one of nine Geist Impoundment Fund (“GIF”) board members and 10-year president of the Canal Place Property Owners Association. “We felt that of all the projects we’re looking to do, this could have the biggest impact for the lowest cost.”
Last year, the GIF commissioned RLR Associates Inc. to create a logo for the new “Geist District.” This followed on the heels of the Nickel Plate District announcement in August 2012. Other districts being discussed include an area near Connor Prairie, 96th and Allisonville Rd., and one at Saxony. “We want businesses, homeowner associations, events, and residents that live here to embrace the logo and be proud of our area,” added Lantz.
Possibly the first structures to sport the Geist District logo will be the GIF’s next agenda project: Roundabout sculptures. Board members have been working with designers to construct nautical-themed sculptures for the 96th and Fall Creek Rd. and the Brooks School and Fall Creek Rd. roundabouts. And, the statuary won’t only be cosmetic. In addition to being decorative, the sculptures will actually make the roundabouts safer by impeding visibility from inbound traffic, forcing drivers to slow down. Construction could begin as early as next spring.
Signage with the new logo will also be placed at key entry points to the loosely-defined Geist District along 116th St. to the north, Olio Rd. on the east, and along major inbound traffic arteries like 96th and 106th Sts. on the west.
With roughly $3.5 million to spend on capital improvement projects, Lantz estimated that the GIF-funded sculptures and branding will leave about $2.5 million to spend over the next three years. “It’s surprising how expensive it is to do these types of projects,” said Lantz. The GIF fund is new tax revenue that was generated from the Fishers-Geist annexation – money earmarked specifically for use in the newly-annexed area.
After the sculptures are completed, GIF board members are going to revisit walkability and accessibility projects, and water quality issues that loom on the horizon. All projects, including the Geist District branding and sculptures must ultimately be approved by the Fishers Town Council. Lantz has been surprised as the high level of cooperation and support they have received. “I think the annexation has been a good thing for our community. It was inevitable at some point that we would become part of Fishers. I think there are a lot of great things going on in the Town.”
Anyone wishing to utilize the new Geist District logo can obtain the branding guidelines and files by visiting www.atGeist.com/GeistDistrict.
