Statement From Mayor Jeff Gahan Regarding Glenmill Park Dam Safety Improvements

Statement from Mayor Jeff Gahan Regarding Glenmill Park Dam Safety Improvements

The historic Glenmill Park Dam is an important part of New Albany’s infrastructure and recreational opportunities. It was placed in to service 108 years ago for multiple reasons, including to maintain water supply, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce flash flooding, protect the ecosystem, and create swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities for residents on both sides of Silver Creek. These reasons still exist today. If the dam is removed, these benefits will be lost forever.

However, like many other ideas from over 100 years ago, dam technology has changed and improved. Today, we know how to make this dam safer, and you can see examples of widely used modifications in the attached pictures. Improvements like these are widely accepted by engineers and scientists as ways of modifying low-head dams to retain the infrastructure benefits while still allowing for safe recreation. They remove the dangerous undercurrent associated with low-head dams, but they still provide safe access to the water for recreation. 

An image of the current Glenmill Park Dam

An “After” Image of Proposed Safety Improvements

River Heritage Conservancy and Origin Park unilaterally initiated a plan to destroy the Glenmill Park Dam. For years, Origin Park has been pursuing destruction of this public infrastructure, and for years, the City of New Albany has been attempting to meet with Origin Park to discuss converting the dam to improve its safety. Origin Park has declined every opportunity to meet. On November 15, 2022, The New Albany City Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing the destruction of the Glenmill Park Dam until all parties met to consider all options, including the City’s safety modification plans. Once again, Origin Park declined the opportunity to meet.

For over two decades, the City of New Albany has been improving access to our water ways. We are a River City, and for the first time ever, the people of New Albany own the New Albany Greenway, lands along the New Albany side of Silver Creek, the entire Riverfront, and the New Albany Loop Island Wetlands. Many changes have been made to improve these areas and make them safer, but more can be done to improve the safety at the Glenmill Park Dam, and now is the time to do it. Destroying this piece of infrastructure is not the solution.

By converting the dam and improving dam safety, we can:

1. Retain the important infrastructure benefits it serves, like providing water supply, flash flood protection, and ecological benefits for fish and wildlife

2. Retain the historical value that the site holds

3. Provide a safe area for recreation

In the spirit of Dam Safety, I encourage River Heritage Conservancy and our neighbors in Clark County to address the Blackiston Mill Low-Head Dam in Clark County. That dam has an even higher drop than the Glenmill Park Dam, and I would encourage them to pursue a conversion like the one we are finalizing.

Historic Photo of residents recreating along Blackiston Mill Dam

Current Photo of Blackiston Mill Dam in Clark County

River Heritage Conservancy and Origin Park were recently awarded over $40 million in taxpayer funds by the State of Indiana. The City of New Albany and River Heritage Conservancy should work together to improve dam safety and enhance recreational opportunities for everyone. The time for them to meet with us is long overdue.

We are looking forward to discussing this and working on solutions with the New Albany City Council soon.

Spring Cleaning

SPRING CLEANING

The City of New Albany will be placing large dumpsters in 5 locations throughout the city for all of your spring-cleaning needs on May 18th. Staff will be at each location to help load the trash into the dumpsters, and each site will be open from 10am-2pm. Special thanks to EcoTech for helping make this event possible!

DUMPSTER LOCATIONS

• Billy Herman Park — 600 Scribner Drive

• Budd Flynn Center/Bicknell Park – 2005 E Market Street

• The Ekin Center – 1721 Ekin Avenue

• New Albany Street Department – 2113 Grant Line Road

• River Run Waterpark — 224 W Daisy Lane

REMINDERS: Paint, tires, appliances, TVs, concrete or bricks are NOT allowed in the dumpsters. This program is for residential use only and identification will be required.

Touch a Truck!

Get ready to rev up your engines! Join the City of New Albany on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟏, for the excitement at Touch-A-Truck, where you can get up close and personal with a truckload of cool vehicles - think construction trucks, fire engines, and more.

Don't miss out on this 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 hands-on adventure!

Saturday, May 11, 2024
325 E. 4th Street
9:30am-12:00pm - (9:30am-10:00am, sensory friendly)

NEW TRAILS COMING TO NEW ALBANY LOOP ISLAND WETLANDS NATURE PRESERVE

The New Albany Loop Island Wetlands are a premier nature preserve located on the eastern edge of the New Albany Shoreline. The nearly 54-acre site provides stunning views of local wildlife year-round, and is accessible right along the Ohio River Greenway. The City is committed to this conservation effort to preserve this public nature sanctuary for generations to come.

A few years ago, the City of New Albany stabilized the ground and installed a trail system through the area, so nature enthusiasts and hikers could enjoy the scenic views provided by the Wetlands. Now, those trails are being expanded further, nearly doubling the size of the current trails.

“We are committed to improving access to some of the most beautiful areas in our city within the New Albany Loop Island Wetlands,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “These lands are, and will remain, owned by the people of New Albany and open for public access year-round. This additional trail system will expand access to the New Albany Loop Island Wetlands and offer even more scenic nature views and wildlife watching, and the site is just a stone’s throw from our downtown.” 

HISTORY OF THE SHORELINE

The City of New Albany has been expanding and improving its shoreline for over two decades now.

It all started with the plans for the Ohio River Greenway in 1994. This ambitious trail project would connect the communities of New Albany, Clarksville, and Jeffersonville, and the trail was finally completed in 2016 when the City of New Albany acquired the bridge over Silver Creek to make the final connection for the communities. Now, the 7.5 mile path is enjoyed by thousands of nature enthusiasts, bikers, runners, and families each year.

EASTERN EXPANSION OF THE SHORELINE

Since then, the City of New Albany has been adding new amenities and trails to the Greenway, expanding the Shoreline so that it can be enjoyed for decades to come. On the eastern side, trails have been completed at the New Albany Loop Island Wetlands, and the announcement today revealed that more trails are coming to this site.

Additional neighborhood trails have been completed leading to the site of Silver Creek Landing, a new kayak and boat launch into Silver Creek that was completed in 2023. Plans for this site were revealed in late 2016, and the City of New Albany was pleased to be the first to develop a Blueway along Silver Creek for kayakers, fisherman, and water enthusiasts.

WESTERN EXPANSION OF THE SHORELINE

Along the western side of the Shoreline, the City of New Albany added the “New Albany Flow Park,” a world-class skatepark. The City of New Albany, in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Art and History and the Southern Indiana Tourism Bureau, completed the New Albany Flow Park in late 2019, a one-of-a-kind skate-able work of art on New Albany’s Shoreline, enhancing the Ohio River Greenway. The New Albany Flow Park is a unique and ambitious project that integrates art with healthy living and quality of place initiatives.

Further along the western side, the New Albany Boat Ramp was opened in late 2023. This new access point to the Ohio River will allow for more boaters to access the river, and could open the possibility for fishing tournaments and other water sports to come to the area. The site surrounding the boat ramp is expected to be redeveloped into a greenspace and family fun park, with natural playgrounds and other amenities to be added soon.

SPRING IS COMING

“The City of New Albany will continue to improve access to some of our most scenic areas and natural amenities,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “These areas are owned by the people of New Albany, and we are committed to protecting our public lands and keeping them accessible to everyone in our River City.”

APARTMENT MORATORIUM PASSES, CITY TO FOCUS ON HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

APARTMENT MORATORIUM PASSES, CITY TO FOCUS ON HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The New Albany City Council has approved Mayor Gahan’s recommendation and passed an ordinance that will place a moratorium on new apartment construction and the issuance of short-term rental permits in New Albany.

In late January, Mayor Gahan recommended that the City of New Albany place a moratorium on the construction of new apartments and the issuance of short-term rental permits. This came after months of speaking with and listening to residents, developers, real estate professionals, and other interested parties.

Additionally, the City of New Albany partnered with the University of Louisville’s Urban Studies Institute to perform an in-depth analysis of the city’s housing stock and how we can best prepare for the future. The study overwhelmingly showed that New Albany needed to help provide more options and opportunities for home ownership in the city of New Albany.

Last year, the City of New Albany announced the formation of the GROWTH Program which is aimed at providing incentives for new home buyers, as well as programs to help keep residents in their homes. Additionally, the city will explore incentives to offset infrastructure costs and pass down cost savings to potential home owners. Potential parts of the program include Credit Repair programs, Home Repair Assistance, Down Payment Assistance, among others. The full program is expected to be announced later this year.

“This moratorium will give us time to pump the brakes on the high rate of apartment construction, and allow us to plan and prepare for the next few decades of housing needs in New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “I want to thank the City Council for their support on this initiative, and am looking forward to getting to work on updating the City’s comprehensive plan.”

Now, City Leaders will begin updating the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning code to prepare a roadmap for the future of housing in New Albany. It’s clear that more and more people are wanting to make their home in our River City, and the City hopes to revise the comprehensive plan that will remove barriers for home ownership in New Albany. The American Dream begins with home ownership, and we want to do our part to ensure that every resident who wants to pursue that dream has an opportunity.

“It is clear that there is a mis-match between the available housing stock and the types of homes that people want and need in our city,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “If you are a young person who is looking to step up into your first starter home, or if you are a senior who is looking to step down into a smaller retirement house, we want you to have those Middle Housing options that are so important in helping our community thrive.”