Additional Investments Expected Along Charlestown Road Corridor

In late February, the city partnered with a private developer to bring new life to the Colonial Manor Development on Charlestown Road.  The project is set to bring over 170 new jobs with salaries above the county average. Other investments in the Charlestown Road Corridor, including new housing options, greenspace and pocket parks, new sidewalks, drainage, lighting, and other safety features are also in the works.

“Infrastructure improvements and incentives to revitalize the Charlestown Road Corridor are moving forward,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Many thanks to our partners and neighbors in one of New Albany’s most cherished neighborhoods.”

New Living Options

The former Steinert’s location is being redeveloped into 24 apartment units.

24 additional apartment units are being constructed at the former Steinert’s location (near the intersection of Charlestown Road and Silver Street). These units add to the housing boom currently underway in New Albany, bring the total to 720 apartment units that are either under construction or currently planned throughout the City. Other new housing options throughout the city include the Lancaster Lofts (54 micro units at the corner of East Market and Vincennes), the Centenary Church Project (52 units on East Spring Street), the expansion of Charlestown Crossing Apartments (36 units under construction), and others.

New Greenspace and Pocket Parks

Possible locations are being analyzed for new greenspace and pocket parks for the corridor, including the recently acquired former Zesto property on Charlestown Road.

The former Zesto lot is being analyzed for a small greenspace given its unique layout.

The city owns the former Zesto location (at the corner of Charlestown Road and Slate Run Road). Given the unique layout of the parcel, and improvements currently underway along Slate Run Road, greenspace is at the top of the list for potential uses for the property. Greenspace would be much more inviting to the neighborhood and surrounding businesses than the fenced off, cement lot that is currently there. The City is also in negotiations to purchase the former Sonic property along Charlestown Road, and is looking at a variety of uses for the space.

The former Sonic property has sat vacant for years, but the city is weighing new potential uses for the property.

“The type of structure that was utilized for Sonic is very hard to re-sell to a new investor, so the City stepped up and is in the process of purchasing the property,” stated Redevelopment Director Josh Staten. “Possible uses include a micro-park for the nearby neighborhoods, greenspace, or other appropriate commercial uses.”

New Infrastructure Improvements Needed Throughout Corridor

The City is also targeting future infrastructure projects in the area, including connecting areas without sidewalks.

“There are some stretches of Charlestown Road that do not have sidewalks, but are surrounded on each side by sidewalks,” stated Mr. Staten. “We would like to fully connect these areas, and this would also allow us to complete complimentary projects like new drainage, improved lighting, and safer crossings.”