American Rescue Plan Funds Continue to Help Those in Need

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS CONTINUE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

The New Albany Redevelopment Commission will be discussing additional plans for American Rescue Plan Funds at today’s afternoon meeting.

At today’s meeting, the commission will discuss funding $50,000 to two additional non-profits that serve New Albany residents: Blessings in a Backpack and St. Elizabeth’s. Blessings in a Backpack provides thousands of meals to local school-age children each year, providing meals for times when children may not have other assistance, like weekends and school breaks. St Elizabeth’s is a local charity that helps women, children, and families achieve self-sufficiency, empowerment, and independence. 

The Commission will also discuss funding for the City of New Albany’s Emergency Repair Program. This program allows income-qualified homeowners within the City of New Albany to apply for home repair assistance to make “emergency” repairs to urgent conditions that threaten the health and safety of the occupants.

At the last NARC meeting, members opened bids for three projects along the New Albany Shoreline and Ohio River Greenway that will help improve connectivity to local neighborhoods, create healthy recreation trails, and add Blueway access for fishing and kayaking along Silver Creek. The Commission is expected to discuss these items at their meeting and possibly accept bids for these projects. Learn more about these projects here: https://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2021/12/14/new-albany-shoreline-expands-new-trails-and-water-recreation-options-on-horizon

“The utilization of American Rescue Plan Funds will move into high gear in New Albany, as the Redevelopment Commission prepares to improve connectivity to our waterfronts, neighborhoods, and nature,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “These new additions and improvements will move the city forward in many ways, and they will especially bring more opportunities to improve mental and physical health for the residents of our river city and beyond.”

HISTORY OF ARP FUNDING IN NEW ALBANY

Local Nonprofits Served: 12 local nonprofits have been assisted so far, ranging from assistance with Food and Household Insecurity, Homelessness, Drug and Alcohol Addiction Services, Tourism and Hospitality, Healthy Childhood Environments, Services for Youth or Families involved in Child Welfare System, Early Childhood Learning Programs, Mentoring Services for Youth, Assistance for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, among others.

Local Small Businesses Helped: 43 Small Businesses within the City of New Albany have been assisted by American Rescue Plan Funding so far, helping them keep their doors open, retain employees, and continue serving the people of New Albany. The city of New Albany recently launched an additional round of Small Business Grants, and local small businesses can apply for funding through this link: https://newalbanycityhall.com/smallbusinesshelp

Healthcare Services: The City of New Albany has provided ARP Funding towards a Lifespring affordable care clinic that provides non-emergent health care such as physicals, mental health care, and substance abuse resources. Funding was also awarded to a pediatric care center that will take over the former Schad and Schad building in downtown New Albany.

New Albany Shoreline Expands, New Trails and Water Recreation Options on Horizon

Three bids are set to be opened at today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting for projects that will increase recreational trail opportunities, promote better access to waterways, increase Ohio River Greenway connectivity to local neighborhoods, and expand on the highly popular Ohio River Greenway.

“This is an exciting time to live in New Albany, Indiana,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “As we expand opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, we will also improve connectivity for our residents and all of Southern Indiana.”

The first project is an extension of the Ohio River Greenway trail. Currently, the Ohio River Greenway trail stops near the New Albany Flow Park along the Shoreline. This project will connect from that point down to the future River Recreation Site at the old QRS Recycling Center. This project will also distance the roadway from the Flow Park, improving safety for skaters and bikers. Construction is set to begin early next year. 

The two other bid openings were for projects at the Silver Creek Landing near the historic Glenmill Dam. The first project is a kayak launch point that has been in the works since 2016.

“This launch point is designed to provide the people of New Albany with new, safe, and easy access to Silver Creek, helping reconnect the residents to our city’s river heritage,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

The final bid opening was for a recreational trail branching off of the Ohio River Greenway and connecting to the kayak launch at the Glenmill Dam. This connection will also tie in local neighborhoods along Silver Creek to the Ohio River greenway, increasing connectivity for residents. This trail is the first connector piece along the South Monon Freedom Trail.

The South Monon Freedom Trail is a 68-mile long recreational trail that will stretch through 5 Indiana counties (Clark, Floyd, Lawrence, Orange, and Washington), and connect nine Indiana towns and cities (Bedford, Mitchell, Saltillo, Campbellsburg, Salem, New Pekin, Borden, Orleans, and New Albany). When completed, this would be the longest, continuous recreation trail in Indiana, creating immense recreation and economic opportunities for the region.

Additional funding for the South Monon Freedom Trail was applied for by the City of New Albany through both the Regional Development Authority and Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Trails applications. Further announcements regarding the South Monon Freedom Trail are expected soon! 

Learn more about the New Albany Shoreline at newalbanyshoreline.com

Improving New Albany Roads

IMPROVING NEW ALBANY ROADS:

As the colder weather continues to creep in, the City of New Albany is laying the final touches on its street paving and road improvement program for the season. Dozens of different roadways, areas, and neighborhoods throughout the city received street milling and paving, concrete work, sidewalk installations, curb and gutter replacements, street patching, striping, crack-filling, had detector loops installed, or had some combination of the aforementioned items.

The City of New Albany applied for and received a $1 million “Community Crossings” grant from the State of Indiana which helped supplement the City’s ongoing paving efforts. Over $2 million worth of roadway and infrastructure investments were completed this year.

The City is currently finishing up the remaining few roadways and alleyways on this year’s paving schedule, including Glenmill Road, Schell Lane, Bulldog Alley, as well as some additional alleyway repairs throughout New Albany.

Work on Glenmill is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed this week. Milling and paving for Schell Lane is expected to begin on Monday, December 6th, with a completion date scheduled for Friday, December 10th.

Mayor Gahan Appoints Third Generation Firefighter to Battalion Chief

Third Generation Firefighter Appointed to Battalion Chief

At today’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, Mr. Ron Brown, a 24-year veteran with the New Albany Fire Department, was promoted to BATTALION CHIEF.

Mr. Brown’s father Ron Toran served (1975-2007) as Chief with the NAFD and his grandfather Marion “Bunky” Toran served (1952-1981) as Battalion Chief with the New Albany Fire Department, making Mr. Brown a third-generation fire fighter in New Albany. Ron graduated from New Albany High School in 1994 and has served with the New Albany Fire Department for over 24 years. Ron is married with two children, and is excited about his new leadership role with the New Albany Fire Department. He has previously served as a Sergeant and Captain with the department, and has experience serving with the ambulance team.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Brown into a leadership role with the New Albany Fire Department,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Ron has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership skills, and I’m proud to welcome him in this new role.”

NEW ALBANY: PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE

PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE

HOSPITAL WAIT TIMES IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY

Late in October, Mayor Jeff Gahan met with Baptist Health Floyd President Michael Schroyer to discuss ambulance services and 911 response times, among other items. Mayor Gahan and Mr. Schroyer had a very productive meeting, and early reports indicate that hospital wait times and ambulance drop-off times have returned to a much more-acceptable timeframe. At the meeting, Mayor Gahan asked Mr. Schroyer if additional ambulances would expedite services, however, Baptist Health Officials did not have any issue with ambulance availability inside the service area of Baptist Floyd in New Albany.

Baptist Health disputed AMR’s original 5 hour drop-off time claim. Regardless, the City of New Albany can now confirm that current drop-off times for ambulances at Baptist Health Floyd have been reduced to just about 15 minutes. New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey has been in contact with AMR Ambulance Service leadership and they also confirm that wait times have been reduced to under 15 minutes.

“I want to thank Baptist Health Floyd President Michael Schroyer for meeting regarding wait times and ambulance response times,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We are very pleased that hospital wait times have returned to normal. We will continue monitoring the situation, and we look forward to moving past these temporary problems associated with COVID-19.”

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY NEEDS

Reports in the News and Tribune indicated that Floyd County officials are planning to renovate the former City-County Building located at 311 Hauss Square, but their plans don’t include space for the New Albany Police Department, even though the NAPD has been stationed there for decades.

According to statements made by Floyd County Building Authority Member Scott Stewart, “the Building Authority’s recommendation was to put the probation offices in the adjoining Frank C. Denzinger Criminal Justice Building, which is now occupied by the New Albany Police Department and the Sherriff’s Department.” Stewart also stated that it “would be appropriate for the county to consider getting the space back.”

Given these statements, Mayor Gahan, along with Councilpersons Bob Caesar and Jason Applegate (Public Safety Chair) recommended that the Public Safety Committee take a look at facility needs for the New Albany Police Department. New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey remarked at a recent City Council meeting that the Floyd County-owned space currently utilized by the Police Department is in disrepair and is not large enough to meet future needs of the New Albany Police Department. Public Safety Committee members began analyzing the need for a new Police Headquarters.

“A new Police Headquarters would give us the opportunity to improve, train, and equip our public safety officers with the tools and capabilities a modern police force requires,” stated NAPD Chief Todd Bailey. “As the field of policing continues to evolve, a new space would also allow New Albany to have a facility that can host and dispatch mental health experts and other specialty community-based needs.”

NEW PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS SWORN IN

The New Albany Police Department is currently hiring both experienced and new recruits! Two new police recruits were sworn in recently, and another two are expected to be sworn in later this week.

Are you interested in serving your city as a Police Officer? Applications are open through midnight on December 1st. Applications can be found at newalbanycityhall.com