Council approves land contribution and fee waivers for $50 million hotel next to Fishers event center

Fishers City Council approved a resolution authorizing staff to move forward with a proposed high‑end Tempo by Hilton hotel next to the city event center, a project city staff estimates will total roughly $50 million.

Megan Bombgartner, the city’s director of community and economic development, told the council the project would deliver a 125‑room, higher‑brand hotel with about 35,000 square feet of first‑floor retail plus ballroom and meeting space the city currently lacks. “The total investment is approximately $50 million for this project,” Bombgartner said, describing the hotel as an opportunity to activate plaza space at the event center year‑round.

As part of the requested incentive package, staff asked council to contribute the city‑owned land and waive certain impact fees. Bombgartner said approval is contingent on the Redevelopment Commission awarding the land to the developer and that the developer will accept responsibility for a preexisting minimum taxpayer agreement tied to the site.

Councilmember Pete Peterson moved to approve the resolution; after a roll call the motion carried. The roll call record shows Councilmember John Weingard abstained; other members voted in the affirmative. The motion passed.

What happens next: the resolution’s approval is contingent on a separate Redevelopment Commission action to award the land. No final building permits or site work can proceed without the land award, permitting approvals and standard development agreements.

Provenance: City presentation and council vote (topic introduced SEG 048; vote recorded SEG 126–151).