Noblesville Officials Evict Transportation Museum After 52 Years

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- City of Noblesville officials decided Wednesday morning to kick a local museum to the curb after more than half a century in the community.

The city's Parks and Recreation Board unanimously voted to evict the Indiana Transportation Museum — an organization that has spent 52 years in Noblesville — upon its lease expiration in March. The move was backed by Mayor John Ditslear, who has not been shy to criticize the way the museum has maintained the property, according to an Indy Star report. A fresh lease will be cemented with Nickel Plate Express.

"Since its selection as the new rail operator in July, the city and Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad have had active discussions to ensure the Nickel Plate Express excursion train includes Noblesville in its operations, which are slated to begin in 2018 between Atlanta and Arcadia, and could extend south to Noblesville starting in 2019," said a city alert issued Wednesday morning. "Forest Park is expected to become a major stop."

Ditslear called the decision to issue a termination notice to ITM a "proactive measure to protect residents and heritage," ensuring the integrity of Forest Park.

“The ITM has not shown good stewardship with the resources entrusted to them for more than fifty years," he said. "The city is excited to be working with the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad to continue the city’s railroad history and bring the trains back to Forest Park as a safe, clean and fun tourist attraction that connects Noblesville with our neighbors in northern Hamilton County.”

Museum Chairman John McNichols told an Indy Star reporter that the decision is a shame — a ploy to disband the organization.

"They want to get our equipment and give it to the new Nickel Plate operator," he said, in the story. " ... I think some politicians are going to pay at the next election."

Officials claim that since notifying inspectors about ongoing problems with the museum in May, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has conducted three follow-up investigations; the Environmental Protection Agency, one.

"All four have found violations including (harmful plastics, known as) PCBs and several cars also are believed to contain asbestos, which is currently under further analysis," the Wednesday notice said. "The ITM also self-inventoried 1,064 items for waste containment and disposal."

Upon termination of the Lease Agreement on March 1, 2018, ITM is required to remove all of its equipment and return the premises to the city in a "clean, sightly, healthful condition, and in good repair." Officials noted that they are willing to be flexible, as they anticipate that additional time may be needed to fully vacate and repair the premises.

“We expect full cooperation from the ITM to ensure a smooth transition as they finalize their clean-up efforts and move their operations outside of Forest Park,” Parks Board President Scott Noel said.

The notice of non-renewal does not impact ITM’s obligation to investigate and remedy environmental contamination at the property through coordination of IDEM. The obligation is contractually mandated by the terms of the lease agreement. City officials said the financial burden should not be passed along to taxpayers.

For more background information on ITM at Forest Park, including environmental site inspection reports and more, visit http://bit.ly/2BENfDG.

Image via city of Noblesville