NEW ALBANY SECURES $2M GRANT FOR RECREATION TRAIL

NEW ALBANY SECURES $2M GRANT FOR RECREATION TRAIL:

The City of New Albany’s South Monon Freedom Trail just received a $2 MILLION grant from the State of Indiana through their Next Level Trails program!

“I want to thank the Governor of Indiana for recognizing New Albany’s commitment to trails and recreation,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We have been establishing the South Monon Freedom Trail for years, and this grant money will help jumpstart this exciting recreation project for Southern Indiana.”

A $150 million grant program, Next Level Trails is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. In rounds one and two, a total of $55 million was awarded to 35 communities. To date, $120 million has been awarded to build 190 miles of trails throughout Indiana. Ninety-four percent of Hoosiers live within five miles of a trail.

In 2017, CSX abandoned its rail line from the northern edge of New Albany to the East Fork of the White River, south of Bedford. This created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a new, 68-mile-long “South Monon Freedom Trail” stretching through 5 Indiana counties (Clark, Floyd, Lawrence, Orange, and Washington), and connecting nine Indiana towns and cities (Bedford, Mitchell, Saltillo, Campbellsburg, Salem, New Pekin, Borden, Orleans, and New Albany). If completed, this would be the longest, continuous recreation trail in Indiana, creating immense recreation and economic opportunities for the region.

The $2 million in grant money from the State of Indiana will help kick off the project, and begin with a connection from the existing Ohio River Greenway, extending north through downtown. The new trail will begin along 6th street near Fairview Cemetery, where it travels south to Culbertson Avenue and Bank Street. At Bank Street, the trail travels south through downtown New Albany until it reaches a rail corridor parallel to the Ohio River. This project connects users to New Albany’s historic downtown, the Riverfront Amphitheater, and miles of existing trail along the New Albany Shoreline.

New Albany Receives State Grant for Paving and Stormwater Improvements!

The City of New Albany has been awarded $1 million from the State of Indiana’s Community Crossings program. This program helps cities fund infrastructure projects, like milling, paving, and stormwater improvements like gutter reclamations.

This grant will allow the City of New Albany to invest nearly $3 million into milling, paving, and minor stormwater improvements. New Albany has also been utilizing American Rescue Plan funds to pay for stormwater improvements near neighborhoods experiencing issues.

“New paving and infrastructure are key ingredients to keeping our city strong,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Many thanks to the Governor for recognizing New Albany’s commitment to the future.”

New Albany Dedicates $500,000 to Affordable Housing Partnership

New Albany Dedicates $500,000 to Affordable Housing Partnership

Did you know that April is NEW HOMES month in America? Developing affordable and market-rate housing has been a top priority for the City of New Albany. What better way to celebrate New Homes month than by helping support one of New Albany’s longest running housing partners, Habitat for Humanity!

At today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting, the board moved to support the construction of a new HEADQUARTERS for Habitat for Humanity through a $500,000 American Rescue Plan grant. Habitat for Humanity primarily serves low-income, single-parent families with young children by developing affordable housing, providing a stable and healthy environment for the family.

With their new headquarters, Habitat for Humanity will be able to add additional services for young families in New Albany. The new space will include classrooms for innovative educational opportunities, as well as a warehouse and workshop space in order to store building materials. The new Habitat for Humanity Headquarters will be built along Barack Obama Way in New Albany’s industrial park.

“Recent investments, both public and private, are fueling growth in New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Affordable housing options are key to our continued success. This new partnership with Habitat for Humanity will ensure new housing options well into the future.”

New Board of Works President Appointed

New Board of Works President Appointed

Please welcome the new President of the Board of Public Works and Safety, Mr. Mickey Thompson. Mr. Thompson has worked at the City of New Albany for 29 years. Over his long career of service to New Albany, Mr. Thompson has worked in various departments, including the Sewer Department, Sanitation Department, Street Commissioner, and he currently served as Right of Way Coordinator. Mr. Thompson has served on the Board of Works for a decade, and will now take the helm as board president.

Also joining the Board of Public Works and Safety is Mr. David Brewer. Mr. Brewer is a 1991 New Albany High School graduate with many years in public service. He served as the Building Commissioner with the City of New Albany for over 10 years, and was elected to the New Albany Township Trustee in 2018. Mr. Brewer previously served as the Assistant Varsity and Junior Varsity Boys Basketball coach at New Albany High School. Currently, he volunteers coaching in the New Albany Feeder Basketball Program, as well as the 8th grade coach at Scribner Middle School. Mr. Brewer is married to Desiree Brewer, and they share three children, Gracie, Ava, and Braden.

“Mickey Thompson and David Brewer are true public servants, and I want to thank them for continuing to serve the people of New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

OPIOID CASE SETTLED – CITY TO RECEIVE SETTLEMENT MONEY

Since 2017, the City of New Albany has been actively engaged in pursuing damages caused by the manufacture, prescription sale, and distribution of opioids through outside counsel in multi-district litigation. The opioid crisis has had a devastating effect on the people of Indiana, and none more-so than those who reside in Floyd County.

In a six-year period, 47,106,936 prescription pain pills entered our community. That equates to 91.6 pills per person per year in Floyd County. In 2016 alone, prescription rates for opioids were at a horrendous 132 prescriptions per 100 residents. Now, years later, recent legislation amending Indiana code and signed into law has determined a weak, but solitary course for all who seek damages associated with the aforementioned parties and crimes.

Today, at the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, the board agreed to opt into the State of Indiana’s settlement that won against key opioid distributors. The City of New Albany is expected to receive about $250,000 from the settlement.

“New Albany and Floyd County families have suffered great losses at the hands of these villains,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “I believe this settlement is better than nothing, but our fight with addictive substances and their producers will continue as we seek new measures to contain the devastation brought by corporate sponsored addiction.”