HARVEST HOMECOMING PRESENTS UPDATED FESTIVAL PLAN TO CITY

HARVEST HOMECOMING PRESENTS UPDATED FESTIVAL PLAN TO CITY

This morning, following a series of planning meetings with Mayor Jeff Gahan, Police Chief Todd Bailey, and other City of New Albany officials, Harvest Homecoming organizers presented their updated plans for this year’s festival to the Board of Public Works and Safety.

Harvest Homecoming, now over 50 years old, is widely recognized as the third largest festival in the state of Indiana, behind only the Indianapolis 500 and the Indiana State Fair.

The Board of Public Works and Safety is responsible for approving festival permits, and regulations require permits to be submitted 60 days prior to an event. Harvest Homecoming has submitted permits for similar events as previous years, but a plan for the Fiesta Rides has not been submitted as of this time.

During the presentation, the Harvest Homecoming Board President shared highlights of this year’s updated safety protocols, revised hours of operation, and a wide range of exciting events and attractions. Key updates include:

✅ Revised Festival Hours (1 hour earlier closing time on Friday/Saturday) 

✅ New Security Fencing for improved crowd control and safety

✅ Enhanced Lighting Plan to keep downtown well-lit into the evening 

✅ Expanded Family-Friendly Programming with appropriate marketing

✅ Marketing the festival as family friendly and weapons-free 

✅ New Police Security Camera System for increased safety

✅ Enhanced Law Enforcement Presence throughout the festival footprint 

Mayor Gahan commended the work of festival organizers and city departments to improve safety at this year’s festival, stating:

“I appreciate the effort that has gone into the revised plan. As always, we are proud to host Harvest Homecoming in downtown New Albany.”

Police Chief Todd Bailey echoed the mayor’s comments, adding his support for the updated safety approach. 

The City of New Albany remains committed to partnering with Harvest Homecoming volunteers to ensure a safe and successful event for all who attend.

Monon South Freedom Trail - Construction Begins!

Construction Begins on Monon South Freedom Trail in New Albany

Mayor Jeff Gahan is proud to announce that construction of the Monon South Freedom Trail will officially begin on Friday, August 1. This milestone marks the start of a bold new chapter in regional connectivity, recreation, and historic preservation. 

The project is part of the larger Monon South Trail, a 68-mile multi-use corridor that will eventually extend from New Albany north to Mitchell, Indiana.

Phase 1 of the Monon South Freedom Trail will begin at the Ohio River Greenway, travel through Downtown New Albany, and continue north just past Fairview Cemetery. Future phases will expand the trail to the Floyd County line, linking with the broader regional Monon South trail network.

Named in honor of the corridor’s ties to the Underground Railroad, the Monon South Freedom Trail blends history with modern investment in healthy, accessible recreation and infrastructure. 

“This is a milestone moment for our city,” said Mayor Jeff Gahan. “The Monon South Freedom Trail will connect generations… past, present, and future… and provide lasting benefits for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Key benefits of the Monon South Freedom Trail include:

🏃 New recreational opportunities for walkers, runners, cyclists, and families

🚴 Safe, scenic alternatives for local travel and commuting

🌳 Connectivity to a 68-mile regional trail system

💵 Economic impact through tourism, local spending, and property value growth

🛤️ Historic preservation of a path once used in the pursuit of freedom

Construction crews will begin mobilizing August 1 along the Phase 1 corridor. Residents are encouraged to follow project updates and construction progress photos at: newalbanycityhall.com/msft

The Monon South Freedom Trail is funded in part through Indiana’s Next Level Trails initiative and the READI program, in partnership with Radius Indiana and other regional agencies. 

City Responds to US Army Corps of Engineers – Seeks Clarification on Request

City Responds to US Army Corps of Engineers – Seeks Clarification on Request

The City of New Albany formally responded to a joint letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources concerning restoration work at the historic Glenwood Park Dam on Silver Creek.

In the response letter, Mayor Gahan stated that the emergency repairs were made to address serious public safety risks following a tragic drowning caused by structural erosion. He emphasized that the emergency repairs were completed, the dam was fixed, and the dangerous hydraulic rollers had been eliminated.

In its original letter, the Corps has asked the City to restore the dam to its “original condition,” but doing so would re-create an imminent danger for the public. The City has asked the Corps to clarify whether “original condition” refers to the dangerous, eroded state prior to 2024 or the historically accurate structure now in place.  

Recognizing the broader context of statewide water management planning, including Governor Braun’s Executive Order 25-63, the City has proposed a joint meeting with state and federal partners in July to collaboratively resolve any remaining concerns.  

A full copy of Mayor Gahan’s letter to the US Army Corps of Engineers can be found HERE

Shoreline Independence Day Celebration

SHORELINE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Mayor Jeff Gahan invites you to join us Thursday, July 3, 2025 at the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater for an unforgettable evening of summer fun along the river!

🎤 Live music from local favorites The Rumors and The Crashers
🎈 Inflatables for the kids
🍔 Local food and drink vendors
💥 A spectacular fireworks display at dark!
🕕 Doors open at 6:00 PM

FREE to attend — proudly sponsored by the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County! A huge thank you to Caesars for supporting community fun in our river city.

Bring your family, your friends, and a lawn chair — and celebrate Independence Day on the shoreline in style!

STATEHOUSE WATCH: Mayor Gahan Condemns SB477 as Political Attack, Supports SB134 for Comprehensive Water Management

STATEHOUSE WATCH: Mayor Gahan Condemns SB477 as Political Attack, Supports SB134 for Comprehensive Water Management

Mayor Gahan today voiced strong opposition to SB477, a bill cosponsored by current State Representative and former failed New Albany Mayoral Candidate Ed Clere, calling it a politically motivated attack against the City of New Albany and an attempt to bypass established permitting processes. In contrast, Mayor Gahan expressed support for SB134, a comprehensive water management bill that would create regional water management councils to ensure responsible stewardship of Indiana’s waterways in an accountable and transparent way.

"SB134 is a great step forward in resolving the uncertainty surrounding Indiana’s water resources," said Mayor Gahan. "Unfortunately, instead of working toward real solutions, Ed Clere is pushing SB477 as a personal favor to out-of-town special interests, allowing private corporations to sidestep permitting laws and remove infrastructure without legal ownership or oversight.” 

SB477, authored by State Senator Justin Busch and cosponsored by Clere, is “special legislation” that would grant permission to individuals to remove water infrastructure despite having no legal ownership. This legislation is widely seen as an effort to advance the interests of Origin Park and Ecosystems, a company hired to demolish the historic Glenmill Park Dam for a whitewater rafting project and the privatization of our public waterway, Silver Creek. Current state law requires proof of ownership before issuing such permits, a requirement that Clere’s SB477 would undermine and sidestep.

It is also worth noting that Origin Park, a private out-of-town corporation, has received over $37 million in public taxpayer funds through a special earmark in the 2024 Indiana State General Fund Budget. This non-elected and unaccountable group has been using these public funds to bash public office holders and fight extended lawsuits in the pursuit of their Adventure Park and privatization of natural, public resources and lands.

Locally, the City of New Albany has actively worked to preserve and improve the historic Glenmill Park Dam, including emergency maintenance last summer to eliminate the "hydraulic roller effect" that tragically claimed the life of a child. Many of the issues surrounding the Glenmill Park Dam arose because there is no known ownership of the structure, meaning there is currently no legal entity responsible for upkeep, maintenance, or the safety of the structure.

“With no known owner, and no one taking responsibility for the clear danger that the hydraulic roller effect caused, I did what any Mayor would do – we fixed the dam and eliminated the public danger to our community,” stated Mayor Gahan. 

With no legal ownership of the dam established, SB477 creates further uncertainty, bypassing due process and potentially leading to extended lawsuits and wasted taxpayer dollars. 

"I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that our State Representative, Ed Clere, is focused on political attacks that benefit out-of-town corporations rather than addressing real issues affecting New Albany residents," Mayor Gahan continued. "This sloppy legislation prioritizes out-of-town special interests and earmarks over public safety, historical preservation, and responsible water management." 

The City urges lawmakers to reject SB477 and instead support SB134, which would establish regional councils to oversee Indiana’s waterways, ensuring transparency and accountability to voters.