In 2018, Indiana Electric Cooperatives left its longtime High School Road home and moved into its current sub-leased space on the north side of Indianapolis. The move afforded the IEC board time to adequately plan for what the organization needed to meet the needs of its member cooperatives today and into the future.
After an in-depth strategic planning process and exploring lease, build and purchase options, the facilities committee determined purchasing an existing space was in the best interest of our member cooperatives.
Along with the need for office and routine meeting space, the new strategic plan identified a need for increased multi-purpose space that could be used for continued development of a skilled workforce and directors. This may include board member training, lineworker apprenticeship training, electrical worker skill development, safety training, skill and leadership development, employee coaching, mentorship programs and more.
The facilities committee also considered the member cooperative employee and director needs of nearby quality hotel and restaurant space while visiting the office for meetings and training. The ease of travel to and parking at the location was also considered. They also provided a Realtor with a checklist of other items such as square footage, available parking spaces, etc.
The Realtor then presented the facilities committee with several options to consider, one of which was the 11805 N. Pennsylvania building. The building had not yet been placed on the market, which presented IEC with an opportunity for some cost savings. After touring the building, several facilities committee members indicated “it just felt like home.”
After presenting an “intent to purchase” agreement and several months of due diligence, IEC officially purchased 11805 N. Pennsylvania, Carmel, on Tuesday, March 7. The coming months will include a renovation and a small expansion before becoming the new home for IEC in early 2024.
The preliminary renovation and expansion timeline includes:
Permitting, Final Drawings and Designs, Bid Letting – Now through Late July
General Contractor Identified and Construction Begins – August 2023
Target Construction Completion – February 2024
8888 Keystone Crossing Lease Expires – End of May 2024
You can follow on this blog the progress of the building’s renovation and expansion. Photos and updates will be added as important milestones are achieved.