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Workshop on proposed Franciscan College of Medicine highlights student-housing and traffic concerns
Summary
Tonn & Blank outlined plans for a 116‑acre Franciscan College of Medicine and associated infrastructure; commissioners and neighbors pressed the developer on a proposal for 400 apartments open to the public, ownership questions and road extensions including Mississippi Parkway.
Jon Gilmore of Tonn & Blank Construction presented a workshop on April 27 for a proposed Franciscan College of Medicine on about 116 acres near US 231 and I‑65, saying the school would open to students by 2030 and aim for roughly 100 graduates per class initially, growing to about 200.
Gilmore said the campus plan includes extending Mississippi Parkway, installing a roundabout at US 231/Mississippi Parkway and reserving commercial frontage along US 231. The presentation also described roughly 400 apartments planned on site; Gilmore said those units would be open to the public but would give priority to medical students.
Commissioners focused on the apartments. Vice President Rich Day and other members asked whether Franciscan or the developer would own or manage the units; Gilmore said neither Franciscan Alliance nor Tonn & Blank currently wants to operate apartment properties. Laura Sauerman called metal paneling on façades a “deal‑breaker” in a separate item earlier in the meeting and, during this workshop, several commissioners said units open to the public could be incompatible with prior city actions restricting apartments.
President John Marshall said he supports the project concept but opposes apartments being open to the public. Commissioner Mike Conquest voiced concerns about opening apartments given past issues in the city; Chad Jeffries said further discussion will be needed. Gilmore said the developer intends some on‑site residential to be available to the public while prioritizing students and that ownership/management remain open for later decisions.
Residents questioned traffic and utilities. Commissioners and staff noted that the development would change local traffic patterns and that Mississippi Parkway extensions and a new roundabout would be part of the infrastructure package. No formal action was taken; the item was presented as a workshop to gather feedback and will return for formal petitions and reviews.
What happens next: The petition was a workshop; the Plan Commission did not vote on the PUD. Developers will return with more detailed site‑development materials and answers about apartment ownership, traffic engineering and stormwater mitigation before any formal approvals.
