City of New Albany Works to Improve Supply of Affordable Housing

At this morning’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, the city took action to help improve the supply of affordable housing for moderate to low income households in New Albany. At the meeting, the City committed to transfer the Linden Meadows Property (currently owned by the City of New Albany) to the New Albany Housing Authority and New Hope Development Services for the purpose of expanding and improving affordable housing in the City of New Albany. These steps also work towards implementing goals of the City of New Albany’s 2017 Comprehensive Plan, which seeks to promote a more balanced mix of public and subsidized housing.

“Today’s action moves us forward in the 10 year plan to improve and reorganize public housing in New Albany.  I am hopeful this project which will improve affordable housing options will be viewed favorably by HUD officials to improve the quality of life for the New Albany Housing Authority residents,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.  

The City and the New Albany Housing Authority have been jointly developing a sustainable plan to combat the $138 million worth of maintenance shortfalls at the Housing Authority, along with finding a solution to the extreme density and concentration of public housing units, lack of access to important services, and poor conditions of current properties. Part of that solution includes this project which will increase the supply of affordable housing for low and moderate-income families.

This property will be eligible for tax credits through the Indiana Housing and Community development Authority (ICHDA), allowing rents and payments to remain affordable for all citizens that qualify and permit ultimate home ownership.

“It is an exciting opportunity to apply for and complete this application with the ICHDA for the first development of this type in our community that includes affordable housing and the opportunity for lease to own,” stated David Duggins, Interim Director of the New Albany Housing Authority.

About NEW HOPE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES – New Hope is a nonprofit corporation that manages, constructs, and provides affordable housing in the community. New Hope serves thousands of families every year that need help – and hope. New Hope Development Services, Inc. has provided affordable housing to Indiana for nearly two decades. To learn more about New Hope Development Services, please visit https://www.newhopeservices.org/

Recent Timeline of NAHA Events and Additional Info

• April, 2016 - In April of last year, the City of New Albany entered into a contractual agreement with Patrick Costigan and CF Housing Group, headquartered in Washington, DC to assist the New Albany Housing Authority in planning a strategy to meet the capital maintenance needs of the public housing authority. As part of this process, along with the creation of an updated comprehensive plan for the city, recommendations have been made for a reduction in overall housing authority units. The new comprehensive plan calls for a reduction of units, along with a decentralization of current units in New Albany.
   
• January 4th, 2017 - The City of New Albany detailed the partnership between CF Housing Group, the City of New Albany, and the New Albany Housing Authority. New Housing Authority board members are appointed.
  
  “This marks the beginning steps the City of New Albany and the New Albany Housing Authority will be taking to improve public housing. In conjunction with the comprehensive plan and the recommendation of CF Housing Group, we will reduce the density of public housing on HUD properties inside the city limits, improve existing public housing stock, and improve the quality of life for all residents,” stated Mayor Gahan, January 4th, 2017.
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/1/4/new-albany-public-housing-plans-advancing
   
• January 25th, 2017 - New Comprehensive Plan moves to City Council, and is unanimously approved by the Council. The plan details goals for the decentralization and modernization of public housing units.
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/1/25/comprehensive-plan-moves-to-council-for-approval
   
• April 24th, 2017 - New Albany Housing Authority Board passes the Memorandum of Understanding.
  
  http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/board-opts-for-new-albany-s-public-housing-vision-passes/article_16dd8a02-294f-11e7-ac20-c395f05ed06b.html
   
• June 12th, 2017 - NAHA Maintenance issues brought to attention of Mayor Gahan
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/6/12/naha-maintenance-issues
   
• November 16th, 2017 - Public Housing Update from Mayor Gahan that discusses recent medical improvements as well as the Physical Needs Assessment
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/11/16/public-housing-update-1

Bicentennial Park Concert Series Returns August 3rd!

Mayor Jeff Gahan and the City of New Albany are pleased to announce the return of The Bicentennial Park Concert Series on Friday evenings in August, September and October. 

2018 marks the 6th year of the Bicentennial Park Concert Series. Each show will be held on Friday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in historic downtown New Albany’s Bicentennial Park, located at the corner of Spring Street and Pearl Street. These events are free and open to music lovers of all ages! 

Kicking off the 2018 season on August 3rd is New York rock band Wild Adriatic along with Louisville's own Anemic Royalty, who have recently played WFPK's Live Lunch and Poorcastle. 

August 10th Southern Avenue  is the name of a fiery young Memphis quintet that embodies its home city's soul, blues and gospel traditions, while adding a youthful spirit and dynamic energy all their own. “If Memphis is a genre, this is it!” proclaims American Blues Scene and Rock 103FM calls Southern Avenue - “The most talked about band in Memphis.” Paducah’s Shannon Vetter will open the night with his blend of Folk/Rock/Jammy/Blues. 

August 17th Bendigo Fletcher a local indie-folk quartet that was nominated in 2017’s Louisville Music Awards for “Americana Artist of the Year”. Bendigo Fletcher’s sound tips its hat to its 70’s West Coast folk, pop and psych-rock influences while keeping their Kentucky roots close at hand, showcased on their self-titled EP released in 2017. Getting the night started is Quality Cable , a Zesty / Nostalgic / Chill Indie Rock band.

August 24th Ryan Marsh is a native of New Albany, Indiana. He grew up listening to artists such as Stevie Wonder, and was later strongly influenced by Neo-Soul and R&B singers such as Musiq Soulchild and Maxwell. After discovering his smooth and soulful voice in high school, Marsh quickly found his place in the realm of soul music. A part of the music scene in Louisville, Kentucky, Ryan began writing pop songs that used the textures and colors of jazz and R&B styles.

August 31st The Sea The Sea is an Upstate New York based indie folk-pop duo-band featuring what Huffington Post calls, “Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year.” Their 2014 debut release, Love We Are We Love, received praise from NPR, American Songwriter, and No Depression, among others, gathering over 15 million streams on Spotify. Their 2016 release, the six-song EP In the Altogether, recently earned features by Apple Music including Best of the Week and A-List Singer/Songwriter.

September and October schedules will be released soon!

Thanks to our sponsor: McNeely Stephenson
Radio sponsorship provided by: 91.9 WFPK

Drone Day at Silver Street Park

Drone Day comes to Silver Street Park (2043 Silver Street) on June 30th from 10am-5pm!

Drone Day is in its second year at the City of New Albany. This family-friendly event features high speed drone racing, workshops and presentations from some industry leaders and experts, and hands-on drone flight training so you can try your hand at some of the latest technology!

"I’d like to invite everyone out to Drone Day at Silver Street Park in New Albany," stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. "Whether you are an expert drone pilot or you've never flown, there is something for everyone at Drone Day!  Come out and play with the latest technology and have some great fun!"

RACING SCHEDULE

This year's Drone Racing event is a Regional Qualifier event for the nationally recognized MultiGP Series. Drone pilots will average speeds of 70-90 MPH while utilizing first-person-view goggle technology to feel like they are actually in the cockpit of the drones. Races will take place in heats, and will run from 12pm until 5pm.

Pilots compete at the 2017 Drone Day at the Riverfront Amphitheater.

Custom Racing Drones on display at last year's event.

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

Presentations will be inside the Silver Street Park Sportsplex facility and will run from 11am until 1pm.

Evan Garmon: Drone Insurance. 

Evan Garmon works with Harpenau Insurance, who specializes in insurance for UAVs/Drones. There is a ton of information that commercial drone pilots need to know to keep them legal and flying safe. This workshop focuses on the details and requirements for commercial drone pilots.

Adrian Lauf: Modern Drones

Adrian Lauf is an assistant professor in the Computer Engineering and Computer Science department at the University of Louisville’s J. B. Speed School of Engineering in Louisville, KY. He is also the director of the Aerial Robotics Lab at the University of Louisville. This workshop will focus on new drone technology.

Jeremy Sandifer: Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) for Farm and Land Management

Jeremy Sandifer is the STEM Project Coordinator for Kentucky State University. This presentation will focus on sUAS and their applications in farming and land management.

Donnie Yeoman: Drones and Kids - Intro to Drones

Donnie Yeoman is a local drone pilot and enthusiast. This workshop serves as an introduction to drone technology and STEM for kids.

Riverfront Independence Day Celebration

Are you ready for some Fireworks!?

The City of New Albany's Riverfront Independence Day Celebration is set for July 3, 2018!

This event is proudly sponsored and presented by the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County. We want to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Horseshoe Foundation for their support of summer events in New Albany.

This year's event features some amazing talent, including American Idol Contestant Layla Spring, America's Got Talent Finalists Linkin' Bridge, and the always entertaining Louisville Crashers!

Layla Spring - Photo from ABC's American Idol (April 9th, Eric McCandless).

Linkin' Bridge - photo still from NBC's America's Got Talent.

The Louisville Crashers at the Riverfront Amphitheater.

The fun begins at 6pm on July 3, 2018! Come join us for a wonderful concert, local food and drink, and a wonderful fireworks display at dark. Be sure to bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket!

Final Vote to Save Historic Reisz Building Postponed Until July 2

City Council members have informed the administration that the final vote on restoring the Reisz Furniture Building for use as a new city hall will not take place at the City Council meeting on Thursday, June 21, 2018. The ordinance has passed all previous readings, and is set for final approval at the council meeting on July 2nd.

HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY

The historically recognized Reisz Furniture Building has been vacant for decades. It was constructed in 1852 and was home to a flour mill, before serving as the Kraft Funeral Home, M. Fine & Sons Shirt Factory, Graf Harness and Saddlery Shop, and has also been utilized by the Schmitt Furniture Company.

After being marketed for years, no buyer or tenant had been found to save the property.

“We have put together a plan that saves the historic building and puts it back into service as a new city building,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We will consolidate operations, repair a special building that has fallen into a blighted condition, and promote economic growth in our downtown. The new Main Street location will allow for ease of access for both city employees and the citizens of New Albany.”

PROJECT GOALS

If approved, this project will save the historic property, develop a community owned asset, and remove blight from our community.

“To come in and have a user that will redevelop the whole property – it will be a substantial investment. I think people will be very happy to see the interest coming in and redeveloping it, and it will also help the surrounding businesses see that their investment is going to be further complemented by the public investment in the Reisz building,” stated Mike Kopp, a prominent real estate developer who has helped transform historic structures for new uses.

The project will save millions of dollars over time, as the city has paid costs in its current location for over 57 years. It will also help the surrounding businesses see their private investment backed up by pubic investment.

“This project is the perfect example of how historic preservation, blight removal, and economic redevelopment can come together to create a great project,” Mayor Jeff Gahan. “When this project is complete, the residents of New Albany will own a new, modern city hall. Instead of throwing away our community’s tax dollars on rent, we will be investing in and saving a historic property that will be owned by the community and utilized for years to come.”