Mt. Tabor Road Restoration and Pedestrian Safety Project Update

The Mt. Tabor Road Restoration and Pedestrian Safety project includes nearly 1.1 miles of new road construction, full curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. The need for this project is clear, considering the renewed surface cracking and foundation shifting occurring near the Slate Run creek slopes, along with the lack of any pedestrian facilities along the roadway. This project will provide a much needed reconstructed road that will aim to improve both pedestrian safety and provide traffic calming mechanisms.

Additionally, this project will provide a long-term solution to the road-erosion and safety issues on Mt. Tabor Road.  Over 2 years ago, a slide occurred on the hillside of Mt. Tabor Road.  The City provided a temporary solution to the road failure and erosion issues 2 years ago, and this new federally funded project (80% federal funding, 20% local funding) will ensure that a long-term solution is in place that keeps residents and families in the neighborhood safe. The total anticipated cost for the Mt. Tabor road reconstruction project is about $6.5 million, with the city’s 20% percentage being about $1.3 million.

The original plans for improvement to the area called for a roundabout at the intersection of Mt. Tabor Road and Klerner Lane. After receiving feedback from residents and neighbors, this intersection has been scaled back to a 4-way intersection with a traffic signal.

A public project review and open house is set for August 22nd from 6pm-8pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the basement area. Representatives from the engineering consultants for the project (Beam, Longest, and Neff) along with city officials will be available to answer questions or concerns brought up by neighbors. 

"In the meantime, project and city officials will be contacting residents directly as they pertain to individual concerns," stated John Rosenbarger, Public Works Projects Supervisor.

Hairspray the Musical at the Riverfront Amphitheater

New Albany Riverstage Productions are back this weekend with their latest show, Hairspray!

Hairspray tells the story of teenager Tracy Turnblad and her quest to be on the Corny Collins show. When Tracy gets the opportunity to audition to dance on the show, she quickly jumps on it - but this doesn't sit well with scheming dance queen Amber von Tussle, who plots with her mother Velma to remove Tracy from the show at all costs.

This is the third year at the Riverfront Amphitheater for New Albany Riverstage Productions, having shown Grease in 2015 and Seussical the Musical in 2014. This production is proudly presented by the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County and the City of New Albany.

Seussical the Musical at the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater, 2014.

Director Alonzo Richmond is very excited about this year's show, and is encouraging everyone to come check out the buzz.

"We are blessed to have such a talented and dedicated group of young performers," stated Riverstage Productions Director Alonzo Richmond. "Each year, I'm amazed by the level of skill and professionalism that the young actors in our community possess, and we are very pleased with how the show has come together." 

Tickets are still available for this weekend's performance, but they are going fast! Be sure to reserve yours at www.newalbanyriverstageproductions.com or by clicking HERE.

DATE: Friday (July 22), Saturday (July 23), or Sunday (July 24)
TIME: 8PM
LOCATION: New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater
TICKETS: $10 per adult, $5 per senior/child

This event is proudly presented by the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County and the City of New Albany.

Pardon our Dust - Roadways Under Construction

Pardon our dust! Numerous roadways are simultaneously under construction in New Albany to help motorists and pedestrians travel safer. To help keep you informed and up-to-date, we've put together a list that explains each project.

Spring Street

Spring St. and Silver St. Intersection

Spring St. and Thomas St. Intersection

This safety and roadway improvement project received special federal Highway Safety Improvement Program grant money to help correct the roadway. To read the full details of the project, please click HERE.

This project began yesterday morning (Monday, July 11th), and experienced heavy congestion through rush hour. To combat this, we have adjusted the signal timings to allow smoother access moving East-West along Spring Street. We will continue monitoring the traffic in this area and adjusting signals as necessary to make it as smooth as possible during construction. 

Bono Road

Bids were opened at today’s Redevelopment Commission for the full reconstruction of Bono Road. Construction has been ongoing in the area, as utility companies have mobilized to repair and re-run lines before the road construction begins. Due to the base failure, many potholes and cracks had opened in the roadway, which has now prompted the full-depth reconstruction and re-paving of the roadway. This project is estimated to be completed in mid-November. Travel will be limited to local access only. For all others, a detour will take motorists from Green Valley Road to Daisy Lane to Graybrook.

McDonald Lane

McDonald Lane near Charlestown Road

McDonald Lane facing Grant Line Road

Phase 1 of the project, from Charlestown Road to Hickory Vale is currently underway. This phase calls for a full complete reconstruction of the pathway. During this phase, curbs, gutters, and complete stormwater system are being added, new traffic signals, along with sidewalks and new road reconstruction and paving. This project is expected to be complete in the Fall of 2017.

From August 2nd through August 4th, the railroad crossing on McDonald Lane (near Bruce Fox) will be closed so that the railway can complete a full replacement of the crossing.

5th and Elm

After digging up the intersection, it was discovered that water was escaping the stormsewer system during heavy rains. This caused nearby soil to wash away, and the roadway to begin sinking, forming the "dip" in the road. Over time, this also caused the sewer and stormwater lines to shift. This project will repair those lines, and repair the foundation of the roadway all the way to the bedrock to ensure that the system will not move in the future.

Update on City-wide Paving Project

Over the past month, crews began replacing sidewalk ramps to meet ADA standards ahead of scheduled city-wide paving.  Paving is scheduled to begin July 25th. 

Riverfront Independence Day Celebration Rescheduled

EVENT RESCHEDULED: Due to the threatening weather forecasts, and for the safety of attendees and event staff, we have postponed tonight's Riverfront Independence Day Celebration to a later date. The event will take place on Saturday, August 6th - which is the next available date that works for the performers, fireworks shooters, and event staff. Please have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.

Mayor Gahan Encourages Full Disclosure of Public Documents Before Final Vote of Hospital Sale

Floyd Memorial Hospital along State Street in New Albany.

It is essential for the people of New Albany and Floyd County to understand the true value of Floyd Memorial Hospital before its sale on Tuesday, June 28, 2016.  Rough estimates for the value of the hospital range from $150M to $450M.

This is only possible if hospital and county officials supply the public with any and all appraisals as required by state statute and any other business valuations.  The City has requested that Floyd County officials reveal the other options and bids that they received and considered in private.  In addition, any potential conflicts involving voting officials or others should be immediately disclosed to the public.  These actions will ease fears and unrest regarding this unprecedented sale of a public asset in Floyd County.  

County officials need to be open about the process that has led to their decision to choose Baptist Health over other proposals. Clarification after the vote is too late and it will not give us the confidence of due process we deserve. This citizen friendly action will help us to move forward without suspicion and worry.  Further, full disclosure could reduce the probability of any future litigation or concerns regarding the sale of the hospital.   

The Mayor's office and other elected city officials who represent approximately 38,000 Floyd County residents, and the residents themselves have been denied access to these vital public documents too.  Rest assured we will continue to try to acquire these details that are rightly the property of every resident in Floyd County.  

All of Floyd county residents can help by attending the meeting and contacting their county officials and encourage full disclosure before they vote.

The full text of the purchase agreement that will be voted on by Floyd County Council and Floyd County Commissioners can be found by clicking HERE.

The final vote will take place on Tuesday, June 28th at 6pm at the Pineview Government Center.

2524 Corydon Pike #204, New Albany, IN 47150

Floyd County Council Members
President Brad Striegel - bstriegel@gmail.com
Tom Pickett - tompickett1952@gmail.com
Cam Wright - cam_wright38@hotmail.com
Lana Aebersold - davida@aebersoldflorist.com
John Schellenberger - floydco4th@twc.com
Matt Oakley - mattoakley@me.com
Jim Wathen - jwathen65@gmail.com

Floyd County Commissioners
Mark Seabrook, Stephen Bush, Charles A. Freiberger - commissioners@floydcounty.in.gov