Grant Line Road Project Prep Work Underway

The Grant Line Road Project will run from Daisy Lane to McDonald Lane and will include multiple infrastructure and safety improvements. The multi-use path on the west side will be extended from Cherokee Drive to Beechwod Avenue, and sidewalks will be added on the east side. Additional drainage improvements will be made, including new curbs and gutters, drainage inlets, and a new storm-sewer system.

A new left-turn lane (southbound) will be added at Jollisaint Avenue.  Additionally, new ADA compliant sidewalks, ramps, pedestrian signals, and traffic signals will be added throughout the project area.

Multiple efforts are underway in advance of the upcoming Grant Line Road Project.

Dan Christiani Excavating will be performing a Water Main Repair on Grant Line Road (near Beechwood Avenue) starting tomorrow, Wednesday June 20th. This work will require a lane closure while crews work to repair this infrastructure.

Work is also underway preparing for utilities to relocate in anticipation of the Grant Line Road Project. Rolling lane closures from Daisy Lane to McDonald Lane on Grant Line Road are anticipated while crews work on this part of the project. Flaggers and other safety personnel and equipment will be on-site to assist with traffic during the lane closures.

State Street Signal and Traffic Flow Improvement Project

Traffic flow improvements are coming to State Street.

The City of New Albany has been working on improving the street signals along State Street. The signals that had previously been up were quite old and outdated. These outdated signals led to traffic issues and did not allow for modern techniques and infrastructure that will help improve traffic flow.

Recently, new street signals have been installed along the corridor. While construction has been ongoing and the new signals were being installed, the signals had to be set to a “timed” system – which essentially means that lights will stay red for a set amount of time and then shift over to green, and vice versa.

Now that all of the new, modern street signals have been installed along State Street, crews are now working on installing detection loops and an Interconnect System. This system will allow the street signals to communicate with each other based on current traffic flows and alter green/red light timings accordingly. Essentially, this should allow traffic to move on State Street much more smoothly than it currently is.

Crews have finished paving throughout intersections along State Street and are currently working on striping and street markings, as well as pedestrian signals at each crosswalk.

The entire project is anticipated to be finished within the next month. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to complete this important infrastructure project.

From Biscuits to Bourbon - New Albany Welcomes Sazerac

The Sazerac Company, one of the oldest family-owned distilleries in the world, is officially coming to New Albany. At Monday night’s city council meeting, the council approved an incentive package that was the final step in bringing this project to reality.

“This is an extraordinary day in the history of New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “In a remarkably short period of time, good fortune and a focused effort has brought a wonderful opportunity for our citizens in the form of a world-class manufacturer and distiller, The Sazerac Company. Thanks to the team at Sazerac for choosing New Albany, Indiana. We are truly looking forward to a bright future together.”

Sazerac has plans to create up to 110 new jobs, including 50 new employees by the end of this year, with average salaries above the state and county average wage.

“When Pillsbury left it could have been devastating to the community. There were so many breadwinners of families in our community that lost their jobs,” stated Councilman Bob Caesar, sponsor of Monday’s Resolution at the City Council meeting. “To get good paying jobs back in that facility, in such a quick turnaround, is a major accomplishment for New Albany. To have this well-established, good paying company spend $66 million bringing a vacated plant back to life is a wonderful thing for our community.”

The Sazerac Company Announces Plans to Revitalize former Pillsbury Plant with 100+ New Jobs in New Albany

Today, at a press conference inside the former Pillsbury Plant, The Sazerac Company announced plans to establish a new bottling plant in New Albany, creating up to 110 jobs by 2021. Sazerac was joined by state and local officials to celebrate the news.

The Sazerac Company, one of the United States’ oldest family-owned and privately held distillers, has plans to invest $66 million to renovate the 455,000 square foot former General Mills Pillsbury plant in New Albany. The 58-acre facility has been vacant since 2016.

Mayor Gahan speaks with Jeff Conder, Vice President of Manufacturing for Sazerac Co., and Matt Hall, Executive Vice President of One Southern Indiana.

Mayor Gahan addresses the crowd at the announcement of Sazerac's plans to the purchase of the old General Mills Pillsbury facility.

Jeff Conder, Vice President of Manufacturing for Sazerac Co., with Mayor Gahan.

“When General Mills announced it would close its doors a couple years ago, we worked hard to help the employees most affected by the news. With Sazerac on the verge of coming to New Albany, I can’t help but marvel at how far we’ve come,” said New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan. “I would like to welcome the Sazerac team to New Albany with a pledge to support their efforts to put down roots here and prosper along with us. Sazerac has a rich and storied past, and I am certain this quality company will be embraced by our community. We are excited, and we expect that this will be the beginning of a long and prosperous friendship between Sazerac and the city of New Albany.”

Local and State officials present Sazerac with a welcome gift to New Albany.

Sazerac has plans to create up to 110 new manufacturing jobs, including 50 new employees by the end of this year, with average salaries above the state and county average wage.

Facade Improvement Program Underway for Historic District & Market Street Median Improvements Begin Soon

Downtown Façade Improvement Program

The City of New Albany’s Downtown Façade Improvement Program is underway. This program was designed to assist building owners in the Downtown Historic District improve the facades of their historic structures. Property owners will be reimbursed for 75% of the cost of façade improvements (up to $100,000), with property owners paying 25% of the work.

This project is funded through the $5 million awarded by the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County for multiple projects in downtown New Albany and along the Ohio River Greenway. (More information available here: http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/3/27/horseshoe-foundation-gives-5-million-gift-to-city)

The old Good Times bar on Market St.

Facade Improvements underway.

Renovated facade, set to be the home of Pints & Union.

New Albany has a plethora of beautiful, historic buildings in its downtown. Unfortunately, over the years, some of these buildings have had windows shuttered and closed off, original brick walls painted over, and historic character lost. Some buildings have even been painted together to appear as one structure. This project will seek to revitalize, refurbish, and redevelop buildings and facades in the downtown area, reinvigorating these historic structures to their original historic look, including improved windows and uncovered original brickwork.

The Schmitt Building, before Facade improvements began. 

Work is underway at Schmitt Furniture to remove the old paint and improve the facades of multiple buildings along State Street.

Twenty-five (25) separate façade improvement and historic preservation projects are underway, totaling $1,000,000. Some of the façade improvements began last fall, but the majority of the work is being completed now as the weather starts to warm up consistently.

Jerry Finn, Executive Director of the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, is excited to see the work begin.

"When the Horseshoe Foundation committed $20 million to have the YMCA built fifteen years ago, a board member noted that we need to continue to pay attention to our community to enhance economic development. The Foundation’s commitment to this project is a way to preserve the beautiful historic structures of the city as well as encourage the growth of business. We are excited to see the transformation of these buildings and streetscapes which will improve quality of place in our community," stated Mr. Finn.

MARKET STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Construction will begin soon on another project under the grant from Horseshoe, a beautification and median-improvement project along Market Street. This project aims at both beautifying and improving the safety and walkability of the Market Street corridor, while retaining the unique historic feel. It will include enhanced crosswalks and intersections with decorative pavers, improved pedestrian safety and walkability, all with a focus on the historic character of the area. Work will also be done to enhance the overall tree canopy with native and proper species and improve the landscaping and foliage for both beautification and improved safety and sight-lines.

Special thanks to the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County for funding these wonderful projects in downtown New Albany!