Fishers council approves JD Sports headquarters, Buckingham development and related incentives

The Fishers City Council on Tuesday approved project agreements and related incentives to bring JD Sports’ North American operations to the Fishers District and to advance a mixed-use phase led by Buckingham Properties.

Megan Bombgartner, director of community and economic development, told the council the two project agreements are tied together as part of the next phase of the Fishers District and described a plan that includes a new event center, a fieldhouse and multifamily and townhome housing. “We are very excited today to bring two different project agreements in front of you,” Bombgartner said.

Matt Posky, vice president of real estate for JD Sports/Finish Line, said the company plans to purchase a roughly 400,000-square-foot building off I‑69, relocate about 400 existing employees to Fishers and add approximately 250 more jobs over the next few years. “We are excited to bring over 400 employees here,” Posky said.

As part of the package, the city will provide a $6.1 million buy‑down that reduces JD’s purchase price from roughly $19.1 million to about $13.1 million; in return, USA Drive — currently private — will become a public road and much of the site’s parking will be made available for public event-day parking. City staff said the net increase in available parking tied to the project will be about 850 spaces once the changes and new roads are completed, and that a parking-management partner (LAZ) would likely operate overflow parking for a fee.

Bombgartner described incentives requested for the projects: a separate 10‑year personal and real property tax abatement for the fieldhouse and a 10‑year, 100% real and personal property tax abatement for the JD Sports headquarters, applied to the tax increment generated by renovations and new personal property. “We’re requesting a 10‑year 100% real property and personal property tax abatement for them going into that building,” Bombgartner said.

Brett Davis of Buckingham Properties described Buckingham’s role as master developer for the phase, which includes two multifamily buildings (about 166 units), 88 for‑rent townhomes and retail space with restaurants. The city will lease the planned fieldhouse to support operations for Indie Ignite and other partners.

Deputy Mayor Ellie Hulk, reading from staff remarks, said council previously approved the project agreement and that technical corrections required repeal and re-adoption of a bond ordinance tied to the Crossing project; council suspended the rules and approved issuance of taxable economic development revenue bonds, series 2026, necessary for the financing package.

Council members praised staff for recent economic-development gains along the I‑69 corridor and asked clarifying questions about parking operations, the structure of abatements and how existing tenants’ leases will be handled; staff said existing tenant leases remain in place and that how taxes pass through to tenants depends on lease terms and JD’s final structuring. Several council members complimented Bombgartner’s work in attracting corporate headquarters during a challenging office market.

The council voted to approve the JD Sports project agreement and the Buckingham project agreement separately; staff recorded at least one council member opposing each of those resolutions, but both motions carried.

What happens next: staff said declaratory and confirmatory resolutions will be brought back for the separate buildings to finalize the abatements, and a parking easement and licensing details will be handled through the Board of Public Works and additional closing documents.

Why it matters: the approvals commit Fishers to financial incentives and infrastructure changes intended to leverage private investment — staff estimated the three linked projects at roughly $150 million and described a cumulative Fishers District investment approaching $950 million as phases complete. The projects are expected to add hundreds of jobs and new housing and retail to the district.