Major Main Street Improvements Set to Begin

Work begins this week on Phase 2 of the Main Street Revitalization Project. They city began the first phase of the project in 2014, converting the over 50’ wide roadway into a more livable, attractive, and better functioning experience for downtown residents, businesses, and visitors. The first phase of improvements ran from 5th Street to Vincennes.

The second phase of the improvements will run from State Street to 5th Street, and will include a fully rebuilt roadway, new sidewalks, additional lighting and plantings, and a modernized stormwater drainage system.

Recently, Indiana American Water replaced outdated water lines and other infrastructure underneath the roadway, giving the City the perfect opportunity to restore the roadway and improve it to new standards. Best of all, the majority of the work (80%) is being funded through federal sources, meaning New Albany is only responsible for 20% of the cost of the improvements.

The City of New Albany invited local residents and businesses to a public information session regarding the improvements in July, and shared construction details, a timeline for the project, and had engineers and project planners available to answer detailed questions. During construction, crews are required to keep access open to all businesses and residents.

If you have questions about the upcoming improvements, or need special accommodations for your business or residence within the construction area, please call 812-948-5333 and ask for the City Engineer.

Market Street Water Main Replacement

MARKET STREET WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT:

Dan Cristiani Excavating Co is starting a water main installation project for Indiana American Water beginning August 7th along Market Street. Full details, including maps detailing the work and a letter from the contractor, can be found by clicking the links below:

Letter and Maps From Dan Cristiani’s Project Manager Detailing the Project

82 New Trees Being Added to "Tree City USA"

82 NEW TREES BEING ADDED TO “TREE CITY USA”

Did you know New Albany has been designated TREE CITY USA by the Arbor Day Foundation?

New Albany continues to invest in its tree canopy, currently hosting over 7,777 “tree sites” in its inventory. In early 2017, the City of New Albany received $20,000 through the Community and Urban Forestry Assistance Grant, one of ten municipalities that received the grant throughout the entire northeast region of the Department of Natural Resources. Through this grant, the city was able to complete an inventory of all city-owned trees in the public rights-of-way and city parks. The inventory was then utilized to draft a management plan that provides details on how to improve and maintain the urban tree canopy.

As part of that management plan, new tree sites are added each year to help grow and improve the urban tree canopy. In August of this year, 82 new tree locations will be added along Lilly Lane, Millerwood Drive, and Lynnwood Drive. Crews have begun plantings this week and will continue throughout the month of August.

NEW ALBANY TREE TRAIL PROJECT

New Albany recently opened the TREE TRAIL PROJECT, a self-guided trail to raise awareness and appreciation for New Albany’s growing urban tree canopy. There are currently 58 distinct tree species on the trail, with identification markers placed on the sidewalk near trees on the trail. To learn more about the Tree Trail Project, please visit https://cityofnewalbany.com/tree-trail-project/

Update: Community Crossings Matching Grant Projects

Earlier this year, the State of Indiana approved a list of streets to be paved and funded through Community Crossing Matching Grant Fund. This work has begun and will continue throughout the rest of the year. Please check the Board of Works and other posts for regular updates.

“These investments will keep our city moving forward,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “We appreciate the state’s assistance with these important road improvements, and we will continue to focus on making our roads the best in Indiana.”

NEW MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE LAUNCHES SATURDAY:

NEW MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE LAUNCHES SATURDAY:

Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan, Indiana is now launching a “Indiana 988” hotline for mental health services.

“This is a great consolidation of local, state, and federal resources to improve mental health services right here in our River City,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “It is no secret that some of the homelessness and addiction concerns we face here in New Albany are rooted in mental health issues, and this is a good step in improving services for those who need it. I want to thank the State of Indiana and the American Rescue Plan for helping address the mental health needs of our community.”

On Saturday, 988 will go live in Indiana and around the United States as a new national three-digit dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In Indiana, Hoosiers experiencing mental health-related distress may call 988 to connect to a trained crisis specialist. Soon, that service will be expanded to include a response team and locations where people can go for help.

Indiana has also entered into a partnership to provide mental health services at pediatric primary care offices around the state, removing barriers to access. Through this partnership, mental health services will be embedded within primary pediatric care settings around the state of Indiana, directly addressing the growing child mental health crisis.

“One serious, lingering result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been widely-recognized by experts all over the country is a worsening of our mental health crisis,” said Dan Rusyniak, M.D., FSSA secretary. “This major infusion of funds, spread throughout Indiana, will provide more access to mental health care, expand the mental health workforce, and invest in our state’s mental health infrastructure.”

More information about Indiana 988 can be found here: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/update-on-988-in-indiana/