NAPD Adds Electric Vehicle to Fleet

ELECTRIC MUSCLE: The New Albany Police Department has added the first electric vehicle to its fleet, an American-made 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

This new vehicle will be the first-of-its-kind in an electric vehicle pilot program for the New Albany Police Department. The Police Department will analyze the performance of the car over the next 6 months and compare it with current vehicles utilized for public safety services. The City is hopeful that the all-electric vehicle will reduce operating costs while still meeting or exceeding performance expectations for the Police Department.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the first electric vehicle added to the NAPD fleet.

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey and Mayor Jeff Gahan with the new Ford Mustang Mach-E.

American Rescue Plan Funds Continue to Help Those in Need

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS CONTINUE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

The New Albany Redevelopment Commission will be discussing additional plans for American Rescue Plan Funds at today’s afternoon meeting.

At today’s meeting, the commission will discuss funding $50,000 to two additional non-profits that serve New Albany residents: Blessings in a Backpack and St. Elizabeth’s. Blessings in a Backpack provides thousands of meals to local school-age children each year, providing meals for times when children may not have other assistance, like weekends and school breaks. St Elizabeth’s is a local charity that helps women, children, and families achieve self-sufficiency, empowerment, and independence. 

The Commission will also discuss funding for the City of New Albany’s Emergency Repair Program. This program allows income-qualified homeowners within the City of New Albany to apply for home repair assistance to make “emergency” repairs to urgent conditions that threaten the health and safety of the occupants.

At the last NARC meeting, members opened bids for three projects along the New Albany Shoreline and Ohio River Greenway that will help improve connectivity to local neighborhoods, create healthy recreation trails, and add Blueway access for fishing and kayaking along Silver Creek. The Commission is expected to discuss these items at their meeting and possibly accept bids for these projects. Learn more about these projects here: https://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2021/12/14/new-albany-shoreline-expands-new-trails-and-water-recreation-options-on-horizon

“The utilization of American Rescue Plan Funds will move into high gear in New Albany, as the Redevelopment Commission prepares to improve connectivity to our waterfronts, neighborhoods, and nature,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “These new additions and improvements will move the city forward in many ways, and they will especially bring more opportunities to improve mental and physical health for the residents of our river city and beyond.”

HISTORY OF ARP FUNDING IN NEW ALBANY

Local Nonprofits Served: 12 local nonprofits have been assisted so far, ranging from assistance with Food and Household Insecurity, Homelessness, Drug and Alcohol Addiction Services, Tourism and Hospitality, Healthy Childhood Environments, Services for Youth or Families involved in Child Welfare System, Early Childhood Learning Programs, Mentoring Services for Youth, Assistance for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, among others.

Local Small Businesses Helped: 43 Small Businesses within the City of New Albany have been assisted by American Rescue Plan Funding so far, helping them keep their doors open, retain employees, and continue serving the people of New Albany. The city of New Albany recently launched an additional round of Small Business Grants, and local small businesses can apply for funding through this link: https://newalbanycityhall.com/smallbusinesshelp

Healthcare Services: The City of New Albany has provided ARP Funding towards a Lifespring affordable care clinic that provides non-emergent health care such as physicals, mental health care, and substance abuse resources. Funding was also awarded to a pediatric care center that will take over the former Schad and Schad building in downtown New Albany.

New Albany Shoreline Expands, New Trails and Water Recreation Options on Horizon

Three bids are set to be opened at today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting for projects that will increase recreational trail opportunities, promote better access to waterways, increase Ohio River Greenway connectivity to local neighborhoods, and expand on the highly popular Ohio River Greenway.

“This is an exciting time to live in New Albany, Indiana,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “As we expand opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, we will also improve connectivity for our residents and all of Southern Indiana.”

The first project is an extension of the Ohio River Greenway trail. Currently, the Ohio River Greenway trail stops near the New Albany Flow Park along the Shoreline. This project will connect from that point down to the future River Recreation Site at the old QRS Recycling Center. This project will also distance the roadway from the Flow Park, improving safety for skaters and bikers. Construction is set to begin early next year. 

The two other bid openings were for projects at the Silver Creek Landing near the historic Glenmill Dam. The first project is a kayak launch point that has been in the works since 2016.

“This launch point is designed to provide the people of New Albany with new, safe, and easy access to Silver Creek, helping reconnect the residents to our city’s river heritage,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

The final bid opening was for a recreational trail branching off of the Ohio River Greenway and connecting to the kayak launch at the Glenmill Dam. This connection will also tie in local neighborhoods along Silver Creek to the Ohio River greenway, increasing connectivity for residents. This trail is the first connector piece along the South Monon Freedom Trail.

The South Monon Freedom Trail is a 68-mile long recreational trail that will stretch through 5 Indiana counties (Clark, Floyd, Lawrence, Orange, and Washington), and connect nine Indiana towns and cities (Bedford, Mitchell, Saltillo, Campbellsburg, Salem, New Pekin, Borden, Orleans, and New Albany). When completed, this would be the longest, continuous recreation trail in Indiana, creating immense recreation and economic opportunities for the region.

Additional funding for the South Monon Freedom Trail was applied for by the City of New Albany through both the Regional Development Authority and Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Trails applications. Further announcements regarding the South Monon Freedom Trail are expected soon! 

Learn more about the New Albany Shoreline at newalbanyshoreline.com

Improving New Albany Roads

IMPROVING NEW ALBANY ROADS:

As the colder weather continues to creep in, the City of New Albany is laying the final touches on its street paving and road improvement program for the season. Dozens of different roadways, areas, and neighborhoods throughout the city received street milling and paving, concrete work, sidewalk installations, curb and gutter replacements, street patching, striping, crack-filling, had detector loops installed, or had some combination of the aforementioned items.

The City of New Albany applied for and received a $1 million “Community Crossings” grant from the State of Indiana which helped supplement the City’s ongoing paving efforts. Over $2 million worth of roadway and infrastructure investments were completed this year.

The City is currently finishing up the remaining few roadways and alleyways on this year’s paving schedule, including Glenmill Road, Schell Lane, Bulldog Alley, as well as some additional alleyway repairs throughout New Albany.

Work on Glenmill is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed this week. Milling and paving for Schell Lane is expected to begin on Monday, December 6th, with a completion date scheduled for Friday, December 10th.

Mayor Gahan Appoints Third Generation Firefighter to Battalion Chief

Third Generation Firefighter Appointed to Battalion Chief

At today’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, Mr. Ron Brown, a 24-year veteran with the New Albany Fire Department, was promoted to BATTALION CHIEF.

Mr. Brown’s father Ron Toran served (1975-2007) as Chief with the NAFD and his grandfather Marion “Bunky” Toran served (1952-1981) as Battalion Chief with the New Albany Fire Department, making Mr. Brown a third-generation fire fighter in New Albany. Ron graduated from New Albany High School in 1994 and has served with the New Albany Fire Department for over 24 years. Ron is married with two children, and is excited about his new leadership role with the New Albany Fire Department. He has previously served as a Sergeant and Captain with the department, and has experience serving with the ambulance team.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Brown into a leadership role with the New Albany Fire Department,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Ron has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership skills, and I’m proud to welcome him in this new role.”