Mayor Gahan Provides Information About Homeless Assistance in New Albany

New Albany has a long history of being a city of industry and compassion, and we are well positioned to carry these traditions forward. Today’s Courier—Journal brings to light the situation of two people who are in need of support and a safe and secure roof over their heads. As always, the city will work with Homeless Coalition members, the New Albany Housing Authority, and other affiliated organizations to meet their needs.

Link to Courier Journal article: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/indiana/floyd/2019/07/27/homeless-camp-remains-after-new-albany-nearly-clears/1846883001/

We appreciate and hear the concerns of organizations mentioned in the Courier-Journal article, including Exit 0 and Hip Hop Cares. However, building codes, zoning ordinances, and other laws do not permit the construction of unsafe structures to be used for shelter in the woods, in parks, or in the public right-of-way.

The city of New Albany is the host of the largest public housing compound in the state of Indiana, outside of Gary, Indiana. For a city our size, it is one of the largest in the United States. With over 1100 units, the New Albany Housing Authority dwarfs all others in southern Indiana, having more than Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Charlestown, Sellersburg, and Corydon combined. New Albany is doing more than its share to provide for the homeless, even while facing budget cuts from the federal government. Due to those federal cuts, the New Albany Housing Authority has been shorted over $130 million in maintenance costs alone.

If you, or someone you know, lives in New Albany and needs help finding shelter, please contact one of the following partner agencies to receive assistance:

Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana: (812) 913-5179

New Albany Housing Authority: (812) 948-2319

New Albany Township Trustee’s Office: (812) 948-5498

More Summer Fun in New Albany

There are lots of ways to have fun this weekend in New Albany! Here are a few upcoming events that you won’t want to miss.

Children’s Theatre at the Riverfront Amphitheater

SHOW DATES: July 11, 12, 18, 19, 20. All shows begin at 7:30 pm. (201 E Water Street)

Theatreworks EDU, the educational arm of Theatreworks, will be performing both Disney’s The Lion King Kids and Seussical Jr. at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater. Casts will perform both shows each night.

Special thanks to the following sponsors: Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, City of New Albany, and Mayor Jeff Gahan.

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Bicentennial Park Summer Concerts return with Appalatin!

Friday, July 12th: 6:30-9:30 at Bicentennial Park (118 E Spring Street)

On Friday evening, Appalatin brings their mix of Appalachian folk and high-energy Latin music to Bicentennial Park. The name, Appalatin, reflects the unexpected meeting in Louisville, KY of Kentucky-raised musicians and masterful Latin émigrés from Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Americana band Grizzly Goat will open.

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Schmitt Furniture 83rd Birthday Bash

Saturday, July 13 from 8pm-11pm at the Riverfront Amphitheater (201 E Water Street)

Schmitt Furniture will be celebrating their 83rd birthday with a huge BIRTHDAY BASH at the Riverfront Amphitheater. Local favorites the Juice Box Heroes will be performing. Local food and beverage vendors will be on hand. The concert is free to attend. Come on down and enjoy some great music on the riverfront and help celebrate this iconic local business!

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River Run Family Waterpark

Open 7 days a week from 11am-7pm.

This weekend is set to be a hot one, and what better way to beat the heat than by visiting River Run Family Waterpark? More information available at: https://www.nariverrun.com/

Riverfront Independence Day Celebration 2019

New Albany’s Riverfront Independence Day Celebration is set for July 3 at 6pm at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater! We want to thank the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County for once again sponsoring this year’s event!

The Crashers will headline the concert, with local openers Between the Lines and Rock’N Horse. There will also be inflatables and games for children, as well as local food and drink vendors.

While there is seating available at the Riverfront Amphitheater, guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers are permitted, but no outside alcohol can be brought into the venue.

Mayor Gahan, Jeff Speck Lead Tour About New Albany's Two-Way Street Reversion Success

The 27th annual Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) is being held this week in Louisville. The CNU is the leading organization promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.

Mayor Jeff Gahan and renowned city-planner Jeff Speck.

As part of the annual congress, Mayor Gahan was invited to join world-renowned city planner Jeff Speck to help give a tour of New Albany, showcasing the successful changes from one-way streets to two-way streets. Jeff Speck, an author in addition to a city planner, highlights the benefits of the New Albany project in his new book, Walkable City Rules - 101 Steps to Making Better Places.

New Albany is featured in Jeff Speck’s new book.

“I’ve never seen a two-way reversion project move so quickly or so fully.” - Jeff Speck speaks to CNU members about New Albany’s two-way street reversion project.

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey also addressed the CNU members, stating that in his 28 years as a police officer, he has “never seen a better scenario for public safety. Speeds have been reduced, crashes are down, and response times to calls for service is far better than it has ever been.”

“The two-way streets reversion has turned out to be even better than expected,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan as he addressed the CNU group. “Traffic has slowed, pedestrians feel more confident and comfortable walking downtown, business is up, and more families are moving to New Albany.”

Weekend Event Guide - Summer Fun in New Albany

There’s lots of fun happening in New Albany this weekend. Check out some of these highlights, make some plans with your friends and family, and come join us for some weekend fun!

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Friday, May 31 - Opening Night for the Bicentennial Park Concert Series

The lineup is looking amazing for this year’s concert series! Kicking it off will be local favorite VILLA MURE opening for The Cunning. The Cunning make raw, real, indie rock & roll, firing twin barrels of guitar-fueled stomp and anthemic pop melodies. This year the band have teamed up with producer Lincoln Parish formerly of Cage The Elephant and are releasing two new singles in Summer 2019. With a huge melodic sound that nods to groups like The Beatles and R.E.M. one minute and the anthemic sweep of My Morning Jacket and The Who the next.

Beverage partners Donum Dei Brewery will be on hand for those 21 and over, and local Boy Scout troops will be selling waters and sodas to keep you hydrated and cool. Be sure to visit one of downtown New Albany’s wonderful restaurants and grab some food for the concert! Some seating is available, but guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to the park.

Concerts run from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Bicentennial Park is located at 118 E Spring Street.

For more information about the Summer Concert Series, including the full lineup for the season, please visit: https://newalbanycityhall.com/bicentennialpark

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Saturday, June 1 - 14th Annual Keg Liquor’s Fest of Ales

The 14th Annual Keg Liquors Fest of Ale is coming up on Saturday, June 1, from 3pm-7pm located on the breezy banks of the Ohio River at New Albany's Riverfront Amphitheater. This event will feature a sampling of more than 250 craft beers, ciders, wines and more in a grass roots style beer festival environment. ​Enjoy local and world renowned beers from breweries like Sun King Brewing Company, Short's Brewing Company, plus meads and ciders from our friends to the north at New Day Craft. You'll find many limited releases and specialty brews at the featured "House of Hops" and the "Sour Shack."

Music and local food trucks round out the day. The Keg Liquors Fest of Ale is a charity fundraiser for the Crusade for Children through New Albany's finest at New Albany Fire Department. In addition to sipping your way through incredible craft brews, there's a charity raffle too with your chance to win prizes!

For more information and tickets, go to www.TheKegFestofAle.com

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Sunday, June 2 - Back in Time Car Club Spring Mayor’s Car Show

Back in Time Car Club presents the 2019 Spring Mayor’s Car Show! The event is from 10am-4pm in downtown New Albany (corner of Hauss and Market Street). The show is $15 per car, with dash plaques for the first 150 cars. Awards will be given to the top 50 cars. For more information, call Walter Smith at 812-987-6179.

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Sunday June 2nd - Hugh E Bir’s Cafe 53rd Birthday Bash

Hugh E. Bir’s Cafe is celebrating 53 years of business! Congratulations to this local establishment! Live bands will be playing all day, along with grilled ribs and chicken being served. Hugh E. Bir himself will take the stage at 7pm with his band, the Concrete Canyon Cowboys, and you won’t want to miss it!

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All Weekend! - River Run Family Waterpark

River Run Family Waterpark kicked off their season last weekend with some packed crowds hungry for summer fun! Join us anytime this weekend for a relaxing cruise around the lazy river, some thrilling water slides, or a dip in the activity pool. More information about River Run Family Waterpark, including hours and ticket pricing can be found here: https://www.nariverrun.com/