The City of Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety on Dec. 3, 2025, added and approved a recommendation to move forward with scoping and negotiations for Merchant Square road and utility improvements using a build-operate-transfer approach.

Sergei Gertrzukin of the Office of Corporation Counsel introduced the add-on and said consultants (Westland Engineering) had performed grading and analysis of proposals for a build-up-rate transfer for the Merchant Square project and that Avenue received the highest marks. He asked the board to add the item to the agenda and to authorize staff to continue scoping and negotiations.

Brad Pease, director of engineering, described the project’s scope: "So, there's 3 roundabouts and then the extension of Kinzer Avenue to Carmel Drive," he said, and noted the package includes associated water and sanitary upgrades so contractors are not working on top of one another. When asked for a timeline, Pease said construction is expected to begin next year and continue into 2027, with construction likely taking about 18 months or more.

Following discussion, an unidentified board member moved to direct the utilities, engineering and legal departments to proceed with scoping and negotiations with Avenue; a second was recorded and the board voted 'Aye.' Staff will proceed with scoping and report back to the board with negotiation outcomes and further project scheduling.

The meeting record does not include a detailed negotiated contract or final funding sources for the project; those items will be subject to later approvals.