ORIGIN PARK OFFICIALS REFUSE TO MEET WITH CITY, DESPITE UNANIMOUS VOTE FROM COUNCIL REQUESTING MEETING

The New Albany City Council, composed of Democrats, Republicans, an Independent, and a Libertarian, unanimously passed a resolution at a special meeting on Tuesday November 15th asking River Heritage Conservancy/Origin Park officials to meet with City officials to discuss alternatives to removing the historic Glenwood Park Dam in Silver Creek.

Origin Park officials refused to meet and decided to move forward with the demolition of the historic Glenwood Park Dam.

Origin Park, a Clark County initiative, has been pursuing destroying the over 100-year-old, historic dam in New Albany for months despite protests from the City of New Albany. The state-appointed Floyd County Historian, as well as the state-led Indiana Landmarks Historic Preservation Office have both gone on record asking that the dam should be preserved. The dam is NOT on Indiana Department of Natural Resources low-head dam roster. Additionally, it should be noted that even though Origin Park aims to destroy the dam in New Albany, there are no current permit to remove the larger, more dangerous low-head dam along Silver Creek that is located by Blackiston Mill in Clark County, which IS on DNR’s roster.

Before the final City Council resolution was even signed by Mayor Gahan, Origin Park officials, including Kent Lanum, Vern Eswine, and Susan Rademacher issued a press release stating that “River Heritage Conservancy declines” to meet and discuss any alternatives.

“There are many outstanding issues that the City of New Albany believes should be resolved before any attempts to remove the historic dam are made,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

At last night’s New Albany City Council meeting, Mayor Gahan provided the council with a letter detailing the City’s ongoing efforts to meet with Origin Park officials, as well as a timeline regarding recent efforts surrounding the historic Glenwood Park dam.

Key details from the letter include:

1. The ownership of the historic Glenwood Park Dam is still under question.

2. The dam has historical significance, as noted by comments from the state-appointed Floyd County Historian as well as the State of Indiana’s “Indiana Landmarks” historic preservation organization.

3. There may be potential contaminants that could be released and pollute the local waterways if the dam is destroyed.

4. The City of New Albany has invested both time and resources into the development of the area for nearly a decade, including the nearly-finished Silver Creek Landing and Providence Way improvements, of which removal of the dam could compromise.

5. While the City of New Albany recognizes and agrees that some low-head dams can be dangerous, the historic Glenwood Park Dam is not listed on the Indiana Department of Natural Resource’s low-head dam roster. In addition, the City of New Albany has proposed safe alternatives to the removal of the dam, including a conversion to a “rock-arch rapids” which scientists and engineers agree improve safety near dams.

6. The removal of the dam could reduce water levels and result in fewer days to paddle, kayak, canoe, or conduct other forms of water recreation along Silver Creek.

7. Origin Park has now received over $8 million in public funding through the State of Indiana’s READI grant. By accepting $8 million in residents tax dollars, Origin Park officials should conduct some form of public-input sessions before tax dollars are spent on a project with no elected oversight.

8. The Indiana Environmental Resiliency Council warns of climate change impacts and environmental risks related to water supply, and removal of the dam could potentially cause the City to lose the water supply that is currently in place along Silver Creek.

The full letter and additional documentation can be found by clicking here: FULL LETTER FROM MAYOR GAHAN