A More Vibrant Village

Streetscape improvements encourage pedestrian traffic

Pretty, pedestrian-friendly corridors generate foot traffic that simultaneously promotes healthy lifestyles, supports existing businesses and creates new development opportunities.

This belief was fundamental to the Village Center Streetscape Renovation Program, which began more than a decade ago in the historic core of our town.

To date, three phased streetscape renovations have occurred. Phase 1 improvements at the Dublin-Granville Road/Main Street intersection took place a decade ago, followed by Phase 2 improvements at the DublinGranville Road/High Street intersection and Phase 3 improvements at the High Street/Main Street intersection. Phase 4 improvements are scheduled for 2012, and Phase 5 for 2013.

In addition to the three completed streetscape projects, in 2009 the city undertook renovations to the historic Phelps House on Main Street, thanks in part to a $50,000 donation from the Ryan family. The home, which dates back to the 1850s, was originally built by Rollin Phelps and now serves as office space for the McCoy Center staff.

In 2010, the city rebuilt Third Street into a 21st century semi-permeable brick road that drains stormwater and used a federal grant to restore portions of the Rose Run Corridor, the Village Center’s most aesthetic asset. In 2011, to further promote pedestrian safety, solar powered crosswalks were installed near the school district campus at the High Street/ Chatham Green Drive intersection and along Dublin-Granville near the parking lot between the middle school and the McCoy Center.

“Our past and present council members had the foresight to patiently invest in our Village Center to help it evolve into an inviting place to walk around and spend time,” says City Manager Joseph Stefanov. “This patient approach has helped us combine federal and state funds with our own investment, stretching dollars while accomplishing our goal of creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.”

The Village Center is home to multiple community destination areas, including the New Albany-Plain Local Schools learning campus, the McCoy Center, the library, government offices, restaurants and coffee shops, the historic business core along High Street, and the Market

Square area. Healthy New Albany also brings many people into New Albany’s Village Center for the community garden and the weekly Farmers Market, which occurs every Thursday afternoon from late June through Sept. 13.

Looking ahead, motorist and pedestrian safety will continue to be major focuses of Village Center streetscape renovation projects. Phase 4 improvements on Main Street began in late June. These improvements will include a widening of Main Street; installation of a center turn lane, new sidewalks, curbs and wheelchair access ramps; additional on-street parking; street lights and street trees. Some above-ground power lines will also be relocated underground, further improving the streetscape. Roadways will remain open during construction and power in the area will be retained, even when power lines and poles are moved.

In 2013, Phase 5 improvements will occur on North High Street from Eagle’s Pizza north to the 2-5 Elementary School entrance. This phase will include milling and paving of the road, new turn lanes, parking lanes on each side of High Street and new sidewalks, curbs, wheelchair access ramps, street trees and street lights.

Expect the city to continue to invest in Village Center into the foreseeable future. “All of our 30 miles of leisure trails tie back to this area so that families can exercise together, go to the library or the McCoy Center, or just enjoy dinner or dessert at one of our restaurants without having to jump into a car,” Stefanov says. “When I think of the Village Center, I think of opportunities to bring people and families together.”

Scott McAfee is the New Albany public information officer and a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@ pubgroupltd.com.

Fresh produce is great on its own, but if you are looking to exercise a little creative muscle, you don’t have to look far. A few merchants from the New Albany Farmers Market gave us their best tips for storing and cooking their own incredible edibles.

Marshall Branstool, owner of Branstool Orchards in Utica, says the peaches he sells at the market are at the peak of ripeness.

“We try to pick them when they’re ripe or when they’ll be ripe the next day,” Branstool says. “We make sure to look at the background color (of the peach).”

Peaches gain a rosy blush as they’re nearing ripeness, but it’s not until the background color of the skin turns a bright yellow that they’re ready to eat, he says.

“When we get them to the farmers market, some are ready to go now, and some will need to sit a day to soften up,” he says.

Don’t put your peaches in the refrigerator unless you need them to keep for more than two or three days. “After they’ve been in your refrigerator, they’re not quite as good,” Branstool says.

Branstool, whose farm has about 6,000 trees on 24 acres, will always tell you that a peach tastes best straight off the tree. “I just take a big bite out of it,” he