NEW ALBANY INVESTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY

NEW ALBANY INVESTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY:

The City of New Albany is investing in public safety. A new Firehouse and new Police Headquarters are expected to begin construction this year.

“New Albany is a safe place to live and raise a family, and we are committed to making New Albany safer than it has ever been before,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

Construction will begin on the new firehouse in the former Sonic lot on Charlestown Road later this month. The new firehouse will replace the Twin Oaks fire station, which has served the neighborhood since 1964.

“Funds from the American Rescue Plan will allow us to replace an older fire station with a new modern, facility and continue providing excellent service for the surrounding neighborhood,” stated Fire Chief Matt Juliot.

The New Albany Redevelopment Commission has been seeking proposals for the construction of a new Police Headquarters. Currently, the New Albany Police Department operates out of the Criminal Justice Center located on Hauss Square. Floyd County officials announced in October of last year their intentions to renovate the Criminal Justice Center, and they have new plans for the space that the New Albany Police Department currently operates out of.

“The current location is too small to properly serve the needs of a modern police force, but this new headquarters will allow us to better train our officers, provide new services for the community, and increase our mental health and crisis response teams, among other benefits,” stated Police Chief Todd Bailey. “We are looking forward to taking the next steps in this process, including further discussions with the New Albany City Council.”

Draft rendering of NAPD Headquarters.

Draft rendering of NAPD Headquarters.

Draft rendering of NAPD Headquarters.

Draft rendering of NAFD Firehouse.

Silver Creek Landing Renderings Released

After years of planning, the City of New Albany broke ground on SILVER CREEK LANDING on May 13, 2022. This project was first proposed in 2016 when the Redevelopment Commission began analyzing ways to reconnect residents to Silver Creek.

PAST READING – October 2016, Reconnecting to Silver Creek: https://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2016/10/25/reconnecting-to-silver-creek

Draft renderings of the proposed landing have now been released that show how the steep, dirt slope will be stabilized with a new concrete walkway. The walkway will lead to a new landing that will serve as a launch point for kayakers, boaters, and fishermen. The project is expected to be completed in early 2023.

PAST READING – May 2022, Groundbreaking for Silver Creek Landing: https://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2022/5/16/new-access-to-silver-creek

“We are very excited to get this project underway and help reconnect residents to Silver Creek,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “This is one of the most scenic, unique areas of Silver Creek, and this new access point will help more residents enjoy this hidden gem.”

NEW ACCESS TO SILVER CREEK

Last Friday, the City broke ground on SILVER CREEK LANDING, a new canoe launch-point and walkway near Providence Way and Spring Streets. Plans include stabilizing the steep, dirt slope and adding a concrete walkway down to a newly constructed landing area that will serve as a launch-point for kayakers, canoers, boaters, fishermen, and recreational swimmers. This area is already highly utilized by recreational fishermen and kayakers, but this new addition will bring increased awareness and accessibility to one of Silver Creek’s most unique areas.

At the groundbreaking, the City was joined by Dr. David Wicks with the Ohio River Way. Ohio River Way is a non-profit that seeks to increase opportunities for adventure on and along the Ohio River, as well as provide information on river safety, help improve public access and infrastructure, and celebrate the unique beauty and culture of the Ohio River. Also in attendance was Mr. Kenton Wooden, executive director for the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.

“I want to thank the City Council, the New Albany Redevelopment Commission, and our partners along the Ohio River for celebrating this groundbreaking with us, and for helping increase access to one of New Albany’s historic and unique waterways,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

NEW RESTAURANT AND OFFICE SPACE COMING TO MARKET STREET

NEW RESTAURANT AND OFFICE SPACE COMING TO MARKET STREET:

A $3 million investment into an innovative, 12,000 square foot mixed-use property was proposed to the New Albany Redevelopment Commission at their meeting this afternoon by business partners Juan Segoviano (Owner of La Catrina and Senor Iguanas) and Jeff Shireman (Owner of Shireman Construction and Shireman Real Estate and Development). The proposed development will be the new headquarters for Segoviano’s five independent restaurant businesses, and will include a new La Catrina restaurant on the first floor with a large patio and streetscape, an additional 1500 square feet of street level retail space, and a second floor with either additional office space or 8 new apartment units.

“Congratulations to Mr. Segoviano and his family for their success in New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We are honored to assist with his expansion and help him grow his business, and to allow him to serve more people in our city and community.”

The development was proposed for the old federal parking lot site (nearly half an acre) located at the corner of Scribner and Market streets in downtown New Albany. The project is expected to bring 30 temporary full-time employees during construction, as well as an additional 40 full-time employees filling the second-floor office space after construction. The project is also expected to net about $40,000 in additional revenue for the City of New Albany through annual property taxes, income taxes and related economic activity.

Shireman Construction has completed multiple recent projects in New Albany, including the new $15 million Optum Health Center in the Purdue Research Park off Charlestown Road, a $15 million addition to the Floyd County Jail, and Shireman was the general contractor for the New Albany YMCA during its construction.

The proposal was accepted by the New Albany Redevelopment Commission pending final legal review.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN: New Albany Dedicates $400,000 to Substance Abuse Program

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN: New Albany Dedicates $400,000 to Substance Abuse Program

The New Albany Token Club serves hundreds of residents a week, providing drug and alcohol treatment programming that includes substance misuse treatment, education classes, and more to help combat the effects of drug and alcohol abuse in our community.

The Token Club currently operates at 506 Pearl Street, and their current building is in dire need of repairs. Earlier this year, Mayor Gahan and administration staff toured the facility to learn more about the programs offered, as well as the current condition of the building, and to analyze steps that could be taken to improve services at the location. Token Club board members have requested funding that can be used for building renovations, which will enhance the quality of services offered at the Token Club.

At yesterday’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting, the board approved up to $400,000 in American Rescue Plan funds that will go towards renovations and improved services at the Token Club.

“The Token Club is truly a special group that operates right here in downtown New Albany, providing a safe space to gather for anyone who is struggling with substance abuse,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “It is a judgment free zone that is focused on healing the damage caused by substance abuse, and it is operated and funded currently by volunteers. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we are able to provide some much-needed support that will improve services and help this club keep serving those in need.”