CITY CONSIDERS INVESTING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO REDEVELOP BEECHWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

CITY CONSIDERS INVESTING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO REDEVELOP BEECHWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

A $2.4 million injection of American Rescue Plan Funds into additional housing across all economic levels is on the agenda for Tuesday’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission Meeting.

Recently, the City completed a housing study to learn more about the current housing stock in New Albany, as well as future projections and needs. The data showed a clear need for all types of housing in New Albany, including affordable housing and market-rate housing. Information and data that the City has received from the Southern Indiana Realtor Association also shows the need for additional market-rate housing to be constructed. To read more about the study, click HERE

“We have been working on improving housing for the last decade through the elimination of blight and demolition of unsafe structures, improving private and public housing options, and the implementation of rental registration and inspection,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We are so excited that the American Rescue Plan has given us the opportunity to accelerate improvements being made.”

BEECHWOOD REHABILITATION TO BE CONSIDERED

Outside of Gary Indiana, the City of New Albany hosts the largest public housing compound in the state of Indiana, with a large majority of public housing residents concentrated within the Beechwood property. The property was built as a World War II Barrack-style structure during the war, but since 2010, the federal Housing and Urban Development department has faced a $138 million maintenance cost shortfall, causing the property to fall into disrepair. Maintenance teams are also currently undergoing asbestos, lead paint, and mold identification and potential removal.

The old and dated structures, combined with the lack of federal funding to properly maintain them, has forced the Housing Authority to look at a total remodel, something that has never been done before in New Albany.

Plans are calling for a $28 million overhaul to the Beechwood property, a redesign and reconstruction of the hard-to-access and isolated roadways, and the removal of the dated barracks-style structures.

83 newly constructed units are planned for the property with a combination of both public housing AND market-rate housing, with the goal of having mixed-income levels reside in the neighborhood. The barracks style structures will be replaced with a mix of 53 single family and duplex style homes that fit the historic character of surrounding neighborhoods, 30 senior-preferred apartments, and 12 lots to be sold for future home ownership at a market-rate. This is the first development in the state of Indiana that will mix private home ownership into an affordable housing development.

Beechwood is centrally located within the city, very near to grocery stores, shopping, restaurants, parks and recreation (like the adjacent Silver Street Park), and convenience stores. City officials and NAHA are also in talks with TARC to relocate a TARC stop within the new development, improving transportation access for residents of the neighborhood.

THE BUSINESS OF RESIDENCY

Cities across America are competing for residents. Over the past decade, the City of New Albany has focused to improve quality of life for all residents. We have invested to create a state-of-the-art parks system, the Ohio River Greenway, and the New Albany Shoreline expansion. We added sidewalks and improved roadways, and improved stormwater drainage, and we have been supportive of large investments in our local public schools and private businesses.

Now, people want to live in New Albany – they want to be near great parks, great schools, and great amenities – and now, we need to develop additional paths to residency and home ownership in New Albany.

Over 900 units are currently under construction throughout the city, from additional apartments to single-family homes and townhomes. New apartments are being constructed at the Lancaster Lofts, Landings at Silver Run, Monon Crossing, Arbor Place expansion, and others. New single family homes and townhomes are being constructed along Vincennes Street, Autumn Grove, Windsor Creek, and Bridlewood, with other market-rate housing projects in the current pipeline.

New market rate homes are coming along the New Albany Shoreline. Future trails expansion is also underway, as the City has began preliminary work on a new housing development at the former Moser Tannery property. Other market-rate single family housing is also being added to infill projects throughout New Albany.

RENTAL REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION

In 2016, the City of New Albany passed a rental registration program aimed at preventing the deterioration of residential housing, assisting in compliance of minimum rental housing standards, improving safety for residents, protecting the character and stability of residential neighborhoods, and preserving and increasing property values throughout the city.

A large percentage of rental landlords have complied with the new procedures and registered their properties, and now, plans are underway to implement the Rental Inspection Plan adopted in 2019. More details about the rental property inspections are expected to be finalized in early 2022.

Improving Housing and Home Ownership in New Albany

IMPROVING HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP IN NEW ALBANY 

The City of New Albany is currently analyzing how best to improve housing options for everyone in New Albany. Recently, the City completed a housing study to learn more about the current housing stock in New Albany, as well as future projections and needs. The data showed a clear need for all types of housing in New Albany, including affordable housing and market-rate housing.

HOUSING STUDY PAINTS CLEAR PICTURE OF NEED

New Albany has a higher percentage of renters (43% of the population) than our neighbors (average 26% renter households). This data indicates that there is a clear need for additional, affordable homes for residents. Additionally, our historic housing stock throughout the city is older and could use some updates for safety and efficiency. The median age of structures within the City of New Albany is higher than that of both Floyd County and the state of Indiana.

The shortage of adequate housing is becoming a problem for our growth and safety. The need is clear, but the supply is not there to meet the demand. The mean selling price of single-family homes over the past five years has increased by 74.2%, and since 2015, New Albany has experienced a 28.1% increase in the total number of home sales.

The data shows that people are actively buying homes in New Albany, but the stock cannot keep up with the demand. The housing study demonstrates a large need for additional, affordable homes to be constructed in New Albany.

THE BUSINESS OF RESIDENCY

Cities across America are competing for residents. Over the past decade, the City of New Albany has focused to improve quality of life for all residents. We have invested to create a state-of-the-art parks system, the Ohio River Greenway and New Albany Shoreline expansion, and we have improved schools, sidewalks, and roadways.

People want to live in New Albany – they want to be near great parks, great schools, and great amenities – and now, we need to develop additional paths to residency and home ownership in New Albany.

Over 900 units are currently under construction throughout the city, from additional apartments to single-family homes and townhomes. Now, the City is currently planning to use American Rescue Plan funds to help foster additional growth, home ownership, and improving housing available for residents in New Albany.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN – 4 Service Organizations Request Funding

The American Rescue Plan fund continues to provide meaningful support to businesses, residents, service organizations, and more. In recent weeks, the City has pushed American Rescue Plan funds into service through programs aimed at addiction and mental health services, food and rent/utility insecurity, family services, and education. American Rescue Plan funds have also been distributed to 43 local businesses that applied for and received small business assistance funding.

At today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting, the board will discuss providing American Rescue Plan funds towards four additional service-oriented organizations within the City of New Albany. The board will analyze funding requests from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, the Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana, Volunteers of America, and the Friends of the Town Clock Church. Each organization is requesting $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Funding.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF KENTUCKIANA

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana provides 1-to-1 mentoring service for at-risk youth ages 7 to 24. The organization primarily serves children, youth, and their families, and those at risk for mental health challenges. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking to expand their reach within New Albany by enrolling, screening, and training volunteers to become mentors, matching them with at-risk youth, and provide ongoing professional support and monitoring for each match.

HOMELESS COALITION OF SOUTHERN INDIANA

The Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana (HCSI) is a nonprofit organization serving the homeless and those at-risk for homelessness in New Albany. The coalition is hoping these funds will help them continue their work of increasing housing stability in the community by addressing substance abuse as well as mental illness among at-risk populations. HCSI is seeking funding to ensure non-duplication of services amongst care providers, increase access to mental health services, and reduce barriers so clients may receive substance abuse treatment.

FRIENDS OF TOWN CLOCK CHURCH TOURISM PACKAGE

The Friends of the Town Clock Church is a 501c3 organization that helps restore, maintain, and provide educational programming for New Albany’s historic Town Clock Church and the Underground Railroad Center. The organization is seeking funding for AV equipment that will help further the visitor experience and provide additional tourism and educational visitors to historic downtown New Albany. The steeple and church were instrumental parts of the Underground Railroad, as escaped slaves saw the steeple as a Beacon of Freedom. This funding will help tell the story of the historic structure, as well as promote tourism and increased educational opportunities.

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

The Volunteers of America provide community-based programs serving veterans and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization provides around-the-clock comprehensive residential care for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in New Albany / Floyd County. This funding will help VoA retain high health and safety standards while working with their clientele.

American Rescue Plan: Expanding Health Services for Young Families

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN: EXPANDING HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Healthcare has been a major focus of the City of New Albany’s American Rescue Plan funding efforts. In recent weeks, the City has pushed American Rescue Plan funds into service through programs aimed at addiction and mental health services, food and rent/utility insecurity, family services, and education. American Rescue Plan funds have also been distributed to 43 local businesses that applied for and received small business assistance funding.

At today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission Meeting, the board will discuss a proposal from Complete Pediatrics and Specialty Care to offer new free community classes on nutrition, functional medicine, breastfeeding, and parenting.

The practice currently serves 2,307 active clients in Southern Indiana from newborn to nineteen years old. Complete Pediatrics and Specialty Care is currently expanding into the Schad and Schad building in downtown New Albany, with 25+ healthcare professionals expected to be working in the building when fully operational. The new location is projected to bring over 125 people into downtown New Albany and through the office each day.

The new location is also conducive to “drive-thru medicine” or “walk-out medicine,” where clients can wait in their car and a physician will come outside the office to serve them. The location has many benefits with respect to COVID-19 services, allowing for less exposure-risk for clients and staff alike, such as modifications planned to change the former bank drive through into a new health services drive-thru.

Complete Pediatrics and Specialty Care is helmed by Dr Laleh Rezaei, who is pursuing a fellowship from the Institute of Functional Medicine, defined as a model that is an “individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness.”

The board is considering up to $375,000 in ARPA funds to help with these youth healthcare and educational initiatives through the practice.

CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH LIFESPRING SERVICES

In early February, the City of New Albany partnered with LifeSpring for a new health clinic in the Colonial Manor development on Charlestown Road. At this clinic, LifeSpring will provide affordable primary care health services at the facility, General Primary Medical Care, Diagnostic Laboratory, Referral for Diagnostic Radiology, General Medical Screenings, Voluntary Family Planning, Immunizations, Well Child Services, Gynecological Care, Discounted Pharmaceutical Program, Prenatal and Postpartum Care, Integrated substance abuse and mental health treatment, Health Education, Outreach, Nutrition services, Case management services, and Assistance with obtaining insurance. At today’s meeting, the Board will consider action on an additional $296,000 towards the construction of the clinic.

IUS Covid Vaccine Clinic Reopens

The Floyd County Health Department has relaunched their vaccine clinic at Indiana University Southeast. The clinic will operate on Mondays (9am-3pm), Tuesdays (3pm-7pm), and Thursdays (9am-3pm). Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are all available at this location.

The CDC is encouraging anyone 12 or older to take the vaccine. The CDC is also encouraging some immunocompromised groups to receive a booster shot if eligible.

“If you haven’t taken time to get your vaccine, I encourage you to take time to do so now,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “It is time we all take steps to protect ourselves, protect our loved ones, and defend our city.”

For more information about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, please visit https://www.vaccines.gov/

To schedule a free vaccination appointment, please visit ourshot.IN.gov

If you have any difficulty registering online, you can dial 211 from any telephone for assistance.