SEVERE WINTER STORM WARNING

SEVERE WINTER STORM WARNING:

Beginning Thursday morning, freezing rain is expected to fall in Southern Indiana. Meteorologists are anticipating over a half-inch of ice and multiple inches of snow from this storm. This amount of ice can impact power lines causing outages, make roadways very difficult to travel on, and cause damage to trees.

The Street Department has multiple crews clearing roadways. However, with the icy conditions expected, roadways will be heavily impacted and difficult to travel on. The New Albany Police Department has additional officers patrolling and will be assisting anyone who needs temporary shelter, connecting them with services. The New Albany Fire Department is also calling in additional personnel to assist with emergency services. Duke Energy has multiple teams on standby to work through any power outages as quickly and safely as possible.

All essential city services will be in full operation during the storm, however public offices at City Hall will be closed. Please be safe and travel only when necessary during this storm. Please be cautious while using indoor space heaters and be aware of the fire hazards and risks associated with their use.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES TO KEEP IN MIND:

To report a power outage, please visit: https://www.duke-energy.com/Outages or call 1-800-343-3525.

You can also report your power outage by texting OUT to 57801.

New Albany Police Non-Emergency Dispatch Line: 812-944-6411

Local White Flag Hotline: 812-913-5278

For all emergencies, please dial 911.

Phase 2 of Historic Main Street Revitalization to Begin this Summer!

HISTORIC MAIN STREET: The City of New Albany will begin the next phase of the Main Street Revitalization Project this summer!

“It is time to kick off the final phase of our Main Street Revitalization Project which we started in 2014,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “The new phase promises to deliver a more attractive, better functioning, and all around more safe living experience for downtown businesses, residents, and shoppers. We can’t wait to get it underway and we are hopeful it will be completed in Spring 2023.”

In 2014, East Main Street was fully reconstructed from Vincennes Street to East 5th street. This project brought new sidewalks, enhanced pedestrian safety, multi-model transportation, improved lighting, and traffic calming measures to the historic neighborhood.

Now, beginning in June 2022, the next phase will begin. This phase will bring similar improvements from State Street to East 5th. This project will replace or rehabilitate the deteriorated pavements and sidewalks, improve walkability, and increase multi-model accessibility of the Main Street corridor. Safety is a big focus of the project, with features that will improve pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety, while enhancing and retaining the historic character of the corridor.

Utility work is expected to begin before full construction begins in June 2022. The project has a substantial completion date of Spring 2023. While the cost of the project is estimated at $3 million, this project is an “80/20” match with the federal government, meaning New Albany is only responsible for 20% of the cost of the project.

Proposed design renderings can be found below.

Mayor Gahan Happily Reports on City Finances

“I’m pleased to announce, for the first time in history, the City of New Albany has experienced a decade straight (2012-2021) of balanced budgets, finishing in the black each year.

This is how good government works. Thanks to our dedicated staff, we have been able to provide improved services for citizens, invest within our means, and still have cash reserves on hand.

It is important to note that this was accomplished with NO NEW TAXES for the people of New Albany.

The City of New Albany continues to have an A+ financial rating, as well as exemplary financial reports and audits from state and federal authorities. Our cash reserves on hand will serve us well into the future.

Working with the City Council, our fiscal oversight continues to pay off for the residents of New Albany and the future of our River City.”

-Mayor Jeff Gahan

NAPD Adds Electric Vehicle to Fleet

ELECTRIC MUSCLE: The New Albany Police Department has added the first electric vehicle to its fleet, an American-made 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

This new vehicle will be the first-of-its-kind in an electric vehicle pilot program for the New Albany Police Department. The Police Department will analyze the performance of the car over the next 6 months and compare it with current vehicles utilized for public safety services. The City is hopeful that the all-electric vehicle will reduce operating costs while still meeting or exceeding performance expectations for the Police Department.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the first electric vehicle added to the NAPD fleet.

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey and Mayor Jeff Gahan with the new Ford Mustang Mach-E.

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.