ULI Indiana - On Location - Geist Waterfront

When

2023-09-07
2023-09-07T16:00:00 - 2023-09-07T18:00:00
America/New_York

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    Where

    Geist Waterfront Will open in a new window 10811 Olio Rd Fishers, IN 46040 United States
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    Join us for ULI On Location at Geist Waterfront Park! We’ll take a deep dive (figuratively, that is!) on how the project went from vision to reality. Marissa Deckert, City of Fishers, Director of Parks & Recreation, will share challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned. In addition, representatives from Browning Day and Meyer Najem will be on-hand to answer questions. 


    AGENDA

    3:30 Registration and networking

     

    4:00 Presentation by: 

    • Marissa Deckert, City of Fishers, Director of Parks & Recreation  
    • Scott Fadness, Mayor of Fishers
    • Representatives from Browning Day & Meyer Najem

    4:30 Tour

     
    5:00 Happy Hour @ Ale Emporium Fishers
     

    6:00 Event concludes

     

    Project Background

    Northeast of Indianapolis, the community of Geist required a plan to transform a quarry and industrial area near the very popular Geist Reservoir into a place for recreation and water access for locals and visitors. The unique 70-acre park, delivered by Meyer Najem as Construction Manager using the Build-Operate-Transfer statute, provides multiple opportunities for water and outdoor recreation opportunities (such as walking, biking, hiking, canoeing or kayaking). The design team, Browning Day, conducted a series of public interviews and workshops, working directly with local elementary and high school classes to envision the future of the newly acquired park property. They then set to devise a master plan that included the rehabilitation of multiple ecosystems, as well as developing a park and public access based on proper analysis and community input.


    Geist Waterfront 10811 Olio Rd Fishers, IN 46040 United States

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    Speakers

    Marissa Deckert

    Fishers Parks

    Since joining the Fishers Parks team in 2018, Deckert has helped to spearhead the launch of new parks spaces, including the Fishers AgriPark and Fishers Maker Playground at Hub & Spoke. Deckert led the launch of a new concert series at the NPD AMP in 2022, which featured national acts like The Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule, and Houndmouth. “Marissa has been a key contributor to elevating Fishers Parks over the past few years, transitioning the department from a focus on smaller programming to large-scale community events,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said. “Her expertise in event management and experience in the entertainment industry has allowed us to secure major national acts for the NPD AMP stage and take popular community events such as Spark!Fishers and Glow in the Park to the next level.” During her time at Fishers Parks, Deckert led the charge on training and certifying Fishers Parks as the first sensory inclusive Parks system in Indiana and works closely with the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability to ensure Parks spaces and programs are accessible to all. She was a guest speaker at the 2019 Indiana Governors Conference on Disability and oversaw the department’s partnership with national accessibility leader Kulture City. Deckert also sits on the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission and worked with the Commission to launch the Art Wall at Brooks School Park. “I’m so fortunate to have the opportunity to lead the Parks department and continue to work with the amazing City team that makes Fishers so vibrant,” Deckert said. “Our team has an incredibly busy and exciting year ahead of us, and I can’t wait to make a greater impact through community connectedness, our spectacular spaces, and the richness and diversity of events.” Born and raised in southern California, Deckert moved to Indiana in 2018 after spending three years in the Pacific Northwest. Deckert started her career in recreational programming for youth and later moved into venue management. She spent 10 years with the Anaheim Ducks and oversaw event operations for the Honda Center venue. In 2015, Deckert accepted a role as Senior Director of Security and Guest Experience for the Rose Quarter Sports and Entertainment district in Portland, Ore. For the next three years she advanced security operations with the Portland Trail Blazers and led efforts to become the first sensory inclusive venue on the West Coast. She has been an integral part of thousands of successful events including presidential campaign rallies; major touring acts; NBA, NHL, WHL games and playoffs; and large community events and festivals. Deckert also hosted the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007 and is proud to have a Stanley Cup championship ring. Deckert is a Fishers resident, mom of two, and grandmother. She is PTO Board president at HSE Schools and active in the community. In her free time, she enjoys riding bikes with her family along the Nickel Plate Trail, yoga, reading, concerts at the NPD AMP, and spending Saturday mornings at the Fishers Farmers Market. Learn more about Fishers Parks at playfishers.com.

    Scott Fadness

    Mayor, City of Fishers

    Scott Fadness became Fishers’ first Mayor on January 1, 2015. Since then, he has brought to life a smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial vision for the city. Fishers was named “Best Place to Live in America” by Money Magazine in 2017 and “Community of the Year” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in 2016. Under Scott’s leadership, Fishers has transformed into a lively, successful city that large corporate headquarters, small businesses, families, and people of all ages are proud to call home. His efforts revitalizing Fishers’ downtown have been especially important to attracting and retaining professional talent from across the country. Scott’s focus on making Fishers inviting to employers large and small has resulted in new economic development records being set each year since he took office. In the last four years, there have been more than 4,900 new jobs created and $500 million in new private investment. From attracting corporate headquarters to fostering the development of homegrown companies started by entrepreneurs at Launch Fishers, the growth of good-paying jobs in Fishers is significant. Critical to attracting jobs and families to Fishers are the amenities that make a community feel like home. Scott has led efforts to strengthen city services and quality of life amenities. Some highlights include park and trail improvements, the new downtown amphitheater, the creation of Agripark – the nation’s largest urban farm, the attraction of Ikea and Top Golf and the Yard at Fishers District culinary destination and Geist Waterfront Park. Scott serves in a variety of roles to promote policies important to Fishers’ success and to support causes important to community residents. He serves on the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, Indiana’s Behavioral Health Commission, and member of the Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation Advisory Council. Prior to becoming Mayor, Scott served as Fishers’ Town Manager and as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. Scott and his wife, Aunna, have three sons, Lincoln, Hudson, and Jackson. On the weekends, you can often find them enjoying the Fishers Farmers Market and events at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.