New Palestine leaders say multiple businesses are making plans to open a location in the area once construction is complete for this retail development near the intersection U.S. 52 and Mt. Comfort Road (County Road 600 West). Kristy Deer | Daily Reporter
New Palestine leaders say multiple businesses are making plans to open a location in the area once construction is complete for this retail development near the intersection U.S. 52 and Mt. Comfort Road (County Road 600 West). Kristy Deer | Daily Reporter
NEW PALESTINE — The development of a $41 million Kroger in New Palestine is a major project, but several other businesses and the construction of high-end apartments are also on the horizon for the quickly developing southwest corner of U.S. 52 and Mt. Comfort Road.

Plans to bring the Kroger to the area are on schedule, though ground has not yet been broken. Construction of a retail space east of the project is well underway. The developer of apartments by Becovic Management area says he hopes to break ground in the area in the spring of 2026.

Town manager Jim Robinson thinks the retail development could be finished this year. He said in addition to the Papa John’s that has committed and received permits, leaders of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, Jimmy John’s, Qdoba, Wendy’s and Great Clips have all expressed interest in opening a location in that area.

“Orange Leaf has actually called and came in to ask about signage, so that’s a good sign that they are looking here, and Wendy’s has put a letter of intent (LOI) on property just south of the GetGo gas station,” Robinson said. “Those are the ones who have expressed interest and have actually called us or come in to sort of get things going.”

Becovic Management Group of Indiana has proposed to build a “high-end” apartment complex next to the Hancock Health Wellness Center but has not given town officials a date for breaking ground on the proposed $61 million apartment complex.

Developer Muhamed Becovic said late last week the plans for the project were finished but have changed, and he’s still tweaking things on the civil engineering part of the project.

The town council approved a developer’s $3.9 million bond to help build the $61 million apartment complex nearly two years ago. While approval for the bond was issued in April 2023, Becovic, who had waited months for approval, has yet to break ground.

“Our plans are still going through the phases, but we should have all those plans officially completed by the end of October, and God willing, I’d really like to break ground in early spring if everything goes well,” Becovic said. “We still need to have a good decision because there are some site plan changes — and we know that, but I’m not sure the townspeople all know that — because of the Kroger development. I want the town to see the changes we are proposing, and I’d love to get their feedback, and we’ll go from there.”

Robinson noted town officials hope Becovic will bring finalized plans to the council within the next 30 to 60 days; Becovic and Robinson both said that is the intent.

“He’s got to bring the plans back to the council, because he has changed the apartments a little bit,” Robinson said. “He’s talking about three stories, so that has changed.”

When asked if he is still certain he plans to build the apartment complex in Hancock County, Becovic said, “100% — 100%, we’re definitely coming to New Palestine.”

Harold Gibson is director of property development for Hancock Health. In previous town meetings, while discussing Hancock Health’s property, he has spoken about the possibility of another senior assisted living facility in the space. He has said that would only come down the road if demographics show there is a need.

However, Gibson said Hancock Health has also been approached about bringing a national-name daycare facility to the development.

“We have had some daycare operations contact us, and we have one that is very seriously pursuing that, and we hope to have something signed within the next 30 to 60 days surrounding that,” Gibson said.

Robinson said the partnership between town officials, Hancock Health and Becovic is strong, with all parties having a vision to bring high-quality development to the area.

“I think Mt. Comfort (Road), that’s our development area, and I think it’s always going to be our busy intersection area, particularly to the south there for retail as well as living space,” Robinson said. “We like the development, but we want the level up on the quality, and sometimes that takes time.”

Robinson said it all started with the construction of the wellness center and is continuing with the Kroger, other businesses and with the Becovic apartment complex.

“It is my understanding that this Kroger that is going to be built here is probably going to be as nice or nicer than the one they put in Zionsville,” Robinson said. “The landscaping detail that we went into, you won’t even see that gas center, but a little part of it because we are going to mound the landscaping around it, and that’s just one of the little details we’re all working on.”
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