City Continues Support of Housing Improvements

CITY CONTINUES SUPPORT OF HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS

In 2021, the City of New Albany announced intentions to invest $2.4 million of American Rescue Plan funds towards adding new pathways for homeownership, increasing access to housing, and improving the condition of our housing stock across all economic levels.

At tomorrow morning’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, the board will move those intentions into action by transferring $2.4 million of ARP funds to the New Albany Housing Authority. This action was approved by the New Albany Redevelopment Commission in 2021, and these funds will be used mainly towards the redevelopment of the Beechwood neighborhood, along with other housing improvement initiatives.

The Beechwood neighborhood was constructed by the federal government during World War II, and the barracks-style housing had seen little to no improvements since. Since 2010, the federal government announced a $138 million maintenance shortfall in the Housing and Urban Development department, causing many properties to fall into even further disrepair. That’s when the City of New Albany and the New Albany Housing Authority decided it was time to remove outdated and unsafe structures and construct new, modern, mixed-income housing for the neighborhood.

Picture of the old barracks-style housing in Beechwood neighborhood.

Picture of the old barracks-style housing in Beechwood neighborhood.

“Housing defines a community,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We have worked for years to improve housing across all sectors and economic levels. I am proud to see the sweeping improvements for the Beechwood Neighborhood and the revitalized energy it will bring to our city and our residents.”

83 newly constructed units are planned for the property, with a combination of both affordable housing AND market-rate housing. The barracks style structures will be replaced with a mix of 53 single family and duplex style homes that fit the historic character of surrounding neighborhoods, 30 senior-preferred apartments, and 12 lots to be sold for future home ownership at a market-rate. This is the first development in the state of Indiana that will mix private home ownership into an affordable housing development.

A Rendering of the future beechwood neighborhood.

the development will combine affordable housing and market-rate housing.

12 lots will be sold for future home ownership.

“The goal would be to have mixed-income levels reside in the neighborhood, with multiple paths for future home ownership,” stated New Albany Housing Authority Director David Duggins.

For more information about this initiative, see here: https://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2021/10/12/city-considers-investing-american-rescue-plan-funds-to-redevelop-beechwood-neighborhood

Protecting and Restoring Our Historic Cemeteries

City of New Albany's Cemetery Department Restores Historic Tombstones – Cleanup Scheduled for Mar 15

The City of New Albany's Cemetery Department is proud to announce the restoration and protection of tombstones and monuments in two of New Albany's historic cemeteries – Fairview Cemetery and West Haven Cemetery. The department has been working tirelessly to pressure wash tombstones, repair damaged or broken stones, and bring the cemeteries to a like-new status. In the picture attached, you can see the difference made through the pressure washing efforts.

"The Cemetery Department's work in restoring these historic tombstones is a reflection of our commitment to preserving and honoring the memory of those who came before us," said Mayor Jeff Gahan. "New Albany is now over 200 years old – even more reason to maintain the beauty and history of our cemeteries for future generations."

Additionally, the full annual cleanup of both cemeteries is scheduled for March 15th. We kindly request that any flowers or mementos placed on grave sites be temporarily removed while cleanup of the cemeteries takes place.

Since 2017, the department has successfully restored and repaired 602 tombstones and this year alone, they have pressure washed and cleaned 240 tombstones. This work is important to respect the history of New Albany and to honor those who came before us and helped settle our River City.

West Haven Cemetery holds a special place in New Albany's history as it was predominantly an African American cemetery. The City of New Albany is proud to highlight the efforts of the Cemetery Department in preserving this important piece of history.

New Albany Police to Carry Live-Saving NARCAN

New Albany Police To Carry Live-Saving NARCAN

Mayor Jeff Gahan is proud to announce that all police officers will now be equipped with Naloxone (NARCAN), a life-saving medication that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Pictured together are NAPD Chief Todd Bailey, Hoosier Action Community Organizer Will Stauffer, Mayor Jeff Gahan, and Hoosier Action Executive Director Kate Hess Pace.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl overdose is the number 1 cause of death for people aged 18-45.

The New Albany Fire Department has been equipped with this life-saving medicine for some time. Additionally, all department heads within the city will be trained on its use. This move follows months of collaboration and partnership with Hoosier Action, local health officials, public safety officials, and addiction prevention specialists. To ensure that police officers and department heads are properly trained in the use of Naloxone, multiple training sessions will be conducted over the next several weeks.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, has been proven to be highly effective in reversing opioid overdoses. The medication works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids bind to, thus reversing the effects of the overdose.

"The health and safety of our residents is our top priority," said Mayor Jeff Gahan. "We believe that equipping our police officers with Naloxone is an important step in our ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in our community. With proper training, our officers will be able to quickly and effectively save lives in the event of an overdose. I want to thank Hoosier Action for their partnership and assistance on this initiative."

“We want to thank the City of New Albany, Mayor Jeff Gahan, and Chief Bailey for responding to residents’ concerns and making this policy change to save lives,” stated Kate Hess Pace, Executive Director of Hoosier Action. “Our members are excited to hear this news and it demonstrates that when we work together with the City on important issues we can save lives and make a difference.”

"As a police department, our mission is to protect and serve our community," said Police Chief Todd Bailey. "Carrying Naloxone gives us the ability to save lives in a matter of minutes, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent opioid-related deaths in our city. This also helps protect our officers when they have to handle fentanyl-laced drugs, as even touching the substance can have detrimental health effects. Our officers will undergo extensive training to ensure that they are prepared to properly administer and carry Naloxone."

“The New Albany Fire Department has carried Narcan for some time, and many lives have been saved because of its use,” stated Fire Chief Matt Juliot. “Now, over the next several weeks, we will be training even more staff in its use to help prevent the loss of life in New Albany.”

The City of New Albany is dedicated to ensuring that its residents are safe and healthy, and is proud to be taking this proactive step in the fight against opioid addiction.

Main Street Improvements Ahead of Schedule

MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

A nearly $6 million investment into historic Main Street is moving faster than crews initially expected. The project is funded through an 80/20 partnership with the federal government, meaning New Albany is only responsible for 20% of the cost. This investment brings new sidewalks, stormwater and flood protections, new lighting and seating, and a fully rebuilt, safer road for both pedestrians and motorists.

The project has a completion date near this year’s annual Harvest Homecoming Festival, but current estimates, with weather permitting, show that the project is nearly 2 months ahead of schedule, with substantial completion expected in August.

Most of the underground work is complete on the South Side of Main Street, and crews are currently pouring sidewalk curbs and prepping above-ground improvements.

“A lot of the work that has happened so far has been underground, like restoring drainage infrastructure, installing electric and cable conduits, and rebuilding the roadbed,” stated City Engineer, Larry Summers. “Now, crews have moved aboveground and are working on things that people can see, like sidewalks and lighting improvements, so residents and nearby business owners will definitely see improvements happening quickly, as long as we continue to get good weather.”

Once crews complete the above-ground improvements on the South Side of the street, crews will move to the North Side to begin the underground infrastructure improvements like drainage and conduits installations.

Celebrating Black History Month

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH:

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements of African Americans and a time to recognize their central role in the history of the United States.  The City of New Albany encourages everyone to learn more about the history of African Americans in Southern Indiana and their contributions to our history. Here are a few links to help learn more:

1. A walking tour of historic sites of African American history in New Albany: https://publichistory.iupui.edu/tours/show/13
   
   This tour takes you to 9 prominent locations throughout New Albany that tell rich stories of our history.

2. The Carnegie Center for Art and History: https://www.carnegiecenter.org/
   
   This museum hosts multiple permanent installations that tell local stories of African American History, including the life of Lucy Higgs Nichols, an African American nurse who served with the Union army and later settled down right here in our River City.

3. The Town Clock Church of New Albany: http://www.townclockchurch.org/
   
   Completed in 1852, this church was an important stop in the Underground Railroad and served as a beacon of hope to freedom seekers across the Ohio River. This historic property helps tell the story of the people that worshipped there and helped those who passed through on their way to freedom by taking a stand against the evils of slavery.

Additionally, our marketing partners at GoSoIN Tourism have put together this article that tells about more people, locations, stories, and history: https://www.gosoin.com/blog/post/black-history-in-southern-indiana/