2015 Progress: Government & Education

Progress Government & Education News and Tribune 05.29.2015

A Transit Authority of River City bus makes its stop at the former Coyle Chevrolet building along Spring Street in New Albany. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER

ROOM TO GROW Tolls, River Ridge development increase public transportation

By CHRIS MORRIS chris.morris@newsandtribune.com

S

OUTHERN INDIANA — It may just look like a bus, but to some Southern Indiana residents and businesses, it can be much more than that. It’s a way to and from work for many, which businesses count on for continued growth.

So what does the future hold for mass transit in the area?

Currently the Transit Authority of River City, or TARC, has four routes in Indiana that carry approximately 2,000 riders a day.

But as the need for mass transit continues to grow, so may TARC’s presence on this side of the river.

While the area’s only mass transit company depends on government funding, more and more companies are forming partnerships with TARC to help carry their workers to and from work.

TARC currently has agreements with Humana, UPS, Louisville Metro Government, the University of Louisville, and with Amazon during the holiday season. Employees are able to use their work identification badges as a transit pass and ride free. The companies then supplement TARC for the fares.

The company also has a park and ride agreement with Ivy Tech in Sellersburg where people can park in a school lot and catch a bus to Louisville. It could very well be the wave of the future as motorists look to avoid bridge tolls and as Jeffersonville’s River Ridge continues to grow, according to Barry Barker, TARC executive director.

“There are a number of folks working with us more closely.

We want to get employees to and from work,” Barker said.

As for adding routes to Southern Indiana, Barker said he was open to the idea.

“All things are possible, all it takes is money,” he said.

He is definitely keeping an eye on the growth at River Ridge. He said recently the last bus at Amazon for the day filled up and there

The interior of a new Transit Authority of River City ZeroBus is pictured at the transportation agency’s 40th anniversary celebration at Union Station in downtown Louisville in November. TARC will be adding 10 of the all-electric, zero emissions buses into its fleet in the near future. | FILE PHOTO

A Transit Authority of River City bus travels across the Clarksville Memorial Bridge in Jeffersonville. Public transportation could increase with River Ridge development and future bridge tolls. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER

ON THE WEB

Transit Authority of River City ridetarc.org

were still people waiting so another bus arrived to accommodate those riders.

“We see it as an opportunity to participate in the economic growth going on out there,” he said. “We are not a profit-making business. We are here to support the area and economy. We are always looking to tweak routes ... we want to make sure we have good geographical coverage.”

TARC’s current Southern Indiana routes include: • 65x (express commuter route from Sellersburg/Ivy Tech to downtown Louisville and back) • 71 (travels from Jeffersonville and includes trips to Amazon-River Ridge though Louisville to New Albany/IUS) • 72 (Clarksville – Veterans Parkway – Eastern Boulevard – Jeff to downtown Louisville and back) • 82 (stays in Indiana – downtown New Albany-Lewis and Clark

Parkway-Veterans Parkway-Jeff Meijer) “Anytime you can provide the greater opportunity for transportation, it makes your region more attractive to talent,” said Uric Dufrene, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at Indiana University Southeast.

A quality public bus system may also help manufacturers and retailers to retain employees, according to a new study from Ball State University.

Researchers Dagney Faulk and Michael Hicks recently published “The impact of bus transit on employee turnover: Evidence from quasi-experimental samples,” in the journal Urban Studies. The study found that counties with fixed-route bus transit systems have lower employee turnover rates. The study found “an increase in bus systems’ per capita operating expenditures is associated with a decrease in employee turnover. In turn, businesses save money by not having to train new workers or rebuild institutional knowledge within the firm.” continued on page B4

“Anytime you can provide the greater opportunity for transportation, it makes your region more attractive to talent.”

— Uric Dufrene

executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at Indiana University Southeast

Jim Buckner, a former director of maintenance for the Transit Authority of River City, and his wife Julie, both of Campbellsville, Ky., tour the inside of a new TARC ZeroBus during the transportation agency’s 40th anniversary celebration at Union Station in downtown Louisville in November. | FILE PHOTO

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Progress Government & Education

News and Tribune 05.29.2015

Charlestown bills itself as a “Great Place to Live and Raise a Family” for good reason. With amazing schools, great restaurants, a large Family Activities Park, a state park, good neighbors, and civic pride to spare, the city is the perfect place to call home.

The Family Activities Park includes a water park with a Sprinkle Pad and pirate-themed playground, concession stand, party rooms to rent, a walking path and a new 18-hole miniature golf course.

Also on the grounds is a large open-air roller-skating rink. Skaters can bring their own skates or rent a pair at the rink.

In the winter, the park undergoes a transformation, with the skating rink surface converted to allow ice-skating and thousands of holiday lights strung throughout the grounds.

Each year in late June Charlestown celebrates its birthday with Founders Day. There are arts and crafts, family activities, lots of food, and live music from local talent to popular regional favorites like the Louisville Crashers and Endless Summer.

The weekend of festivities culminates in a fireworks display on Saturday night.

During the month of December Charlestown becomes Christmas City, drawing visitors from all across the region. Decorations and lighting displays synchronized to music create a wonderland in the city’s square.

Across the street in Greenway Park a more sedate spectacle awaits with thousands upon thousands of white lights covering the covered bridge and illuminated animals and snowflakes on the hillside. A 50-foot lighted tree towers above the scene.

The trackless Charlestown Express departs from the Family Activities Park, also transformed into a winter wonderland. It carries guests through the town’s light displays.

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For more info City of Charlestown

• Website: cityofcharlestown.com

The Charlestown Excellence in Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization, works with local schools to prepare future leaders for life after graduation.

Banners along Market Street and the city square recognize CEEF Champions, seniors who are graduating high school with a plan for post-secondary education such as college, a vocational school or the military.

The 5,100-acre Charlestown State Park offers hiking for everyone from the timid to the adventurous with elevation changes of more than 200 feet, rugged hills and deep ravines.

Devonian fossil outcrops and areas of karst sinkhole topography appeal to many, and bird watchers will not be disappointed with 72 species of birds to be found, including bluebirds, black vultures and bald eagles.

Guests can enjoy views of the Ohio River and 14 Mile Creek, where they can drop a line and catch some fish if they wish.

Picnic areas, shelters and a playground entice families to spend an afternoon, while campsites welcome overnight guests as well.

The Historic Charlestown Mall, owned by Deborah and John Lloyd, is still undergoing renovations, but is already a beautiful addition to the city.

Built in the early 1900s by Judge Ward Watson, the home has been lovingly restored and is currently operating as a bed and breakfast and tea room (by appointment).

Retail space in the home offers a variety of artistic creations, and the carriage house serves as Deborah’s real estate office as well as a space for gatherings.

A variety of classes will be offered, including children’s voice and piano lessons, candle making, stained glass, and much more.

A beautiful garden now graces the yard of the mall, making Water Street a prettier place. For more information call 727-560-4081.

The 44-room Cobblestone Hotel and Suites makes visiting Charlestown easy as can be.The hotel features 42-inch flat-screen televisions, refrigerators and microwaves in each room and complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout.

With a 24-hour business center, guest laundry and fitness center, the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites offers “Big City Quality, Small Town Values…”

In addition to old favorites like the Copper Kettle and Charlestown Pizza Company, Charlestown has recently welcomed four new restaurants.

Fans of Mexican food are in luck as San Pedro and El Tequilazo opened their doors. San Pedro sits along the north end of Market Street, while El Tequilazo took over the old train on Ind. 62.

Yamato offers Japanese cuisine and sushi, creating a loyal fan base since its March opening in a former Pizza Hut building.

The Venro & Rusty Bucket Saloon, named for the Venro Theatre, which once occupied the spot, serves up bar food along with regular live entertainment and billiards.

Charlestown combines the best parts of small town living with all the big city bells and whistles to create a comfortably livable community and attractive day trip or vacation destination.

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News and Tribune 05.29.2015

Transportation continued from B1

So people want more mass transit, but will there be more public funding in the future?

TARC currently operates on an $80 million annual budget and receives about $1.2 million per year in funding for services from the Indiana Department of Transportation. Barker said TARC has always received good support from the Southern Indiana legislative delegation which includes Rep. Steve Stemler, Rep. Ed Clere and Sen. Ron Grooms.

Barker said the Indiana Legislature gave TARC a 3 percent increase this year. That is not going to buy a new bus, but it’s a positive sign he said.

Coupled with growing partnerships with businesses and TARC not having to pay tolls on the two new bridges, there is opportunity for growth and expansion. It just takes money, Barker added.

All cross-river TARC buses are equipped with Wifi, charging stations for mobile devices, overhead storage compartments and padded seating.

TARC used traffic mitigation money from the Ohio River Bridges Project to purchase 21 new buses recently at a cost of $11 million.

While TARC continues to improve and expand coverage, some say it is still not enough.

“We need better public transportation,” said Melissa Fry, director, applied research and education center at Indiana University Southeast. “If someone has to get a child to childcare, it’s not comprehensive enough to meet most needs. It [TARC] sometimes limits people on what kind of job they can take. It just doesn’t meet the needs and it limits individuals.”

Frank Goetzke, associate professor in the Department of Urban and Public Affairs at the University of Louisville, supports public transit. However, he thinks TARC might be trying to do too much with too little.

Goetzke said a city like Louisville just “doesn’t have the density to support public transportation.”

“The more density the more

Clarksville transportation officials reached a deal with TARC in August to fund the reworking of 26 bus stops throughout the city. | FILE PHOTO

A new Transit Authority of River City commuter coach pulls out of a parking lot next to the Big Four Bridge in Louisville in this file photo.

fares you have, although you still need subsidies,” he said.

Goetzke said it may be best for TARC to abandon Southern Indiana and concentrate more on downtown Louisville, although he admits that would not be a popular decision.

“TARC could maybe do a few more innovative things to become more attractive,” he said. “I think they could take all the resources they have and concentrate on the core of the city. Quality of public

transportation is how much of an area do you service. But I think it should be judged by having a bus come by every 20 minutes to a location. That makes good service.

“If I was head of TARC I would focus on urban areas ... the downtown and airport.

I would try to serve that area so well. People could rely on the bus and live without a car.”

Goetzke said unless the price of gasoline skyrockets, public transportation will not

routes, to retain employees.

Floyd County Commissioner Steve Bush said it may be time to look at public transportation in the area, as commuters look to avoid paying tolls to get to and from work.

He said it may be time to expand and maybe look at having some kind of commuter line in Southern Indiana.

“The cost is obviously the main factor,” he said.

Goetzke said most people don’t want to pay more in taxes to support public transportation because only a small percentage of them rely on the service.

“There is no public support for public transportation in the United States,” Goetzke said. “Most people have access to a car. Cars are somewhat subsidized ... streets are paved, paid for by taxpayers.

Cars pollute the environment but people do not have to pay for the environmental damages. Public transportation does not work without subsidies. I don’t think public transportation will ever work [on its own]. After World War II it’s not feasible anymore.”

A car drives past a section of broken sidewalk on Thomas Street in New Albany last month. Excel Excavating was awarded the bid to upgrade the sidewalks, which will begin as early as Monday.

Floyd County Sheriff Frank Loop.

Loop leading sheriff’s department into future Sheriff has 33 years experience as police officer

NEW ALBANY — Frank Loop knew his way around the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department before being elected sheriff last November. A 33-year veteran officer of the department, Loop said he is where he wants to be, leading the department into the future.

“I am very humbled to be sheriff. It’s the pentacle of my career,” Loop said. “I have been here a long time. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the employees and the public. I have always appreciated how hard the employees work for the money they make.”

Loop said he has been busy during his first 100 days. He said his first order of business was to regroup the employees.

“I wanted to put everyone in the same direction,” he said.“The employees have really caught on to that. We are all working to provide the best professional service possible.We are working as a team.”

Loop, who has been the training officer at the department, said he also wants to enhance training for his officers. He is in the process of hiring four new officers to keep his department at 30.

Counting jail officers, dispatchers and others within the department, Loop is in charge of 110 employees. His jail services 900 meals a day.

“The number of hats a sheriff wears are plentiful,” he said.

There is the safety of both employees and inmates that takes precedence under a sheriff’s watch, and he has in-

be looked at as a necessity in the Louisville area like it is in other cities like New York and Munich, Germany.

“Munich is about the same size as Louisville. Louisville may have 50,000 [TARC] trips a day where Munich may have a million. Munich is built much differently than Louisville. It is very congested. In Germany they didn’t build the interstates into the city and there is no parking.

“It’s about making the car less attractive. A parking space in Manhattan may cost $500 a month so you don’t want to own a car. In New York there is a lot of public support for public transportation.”

The Ball State study suggests that “access to fixedroute bus transit should be a component of the economic development strategy for communities not only for the access to jobs that it provides low-income workers, but also for the benefit provided to businesses that hire these workers.” The study went on to emphasize it is critical for businesses to have a public transit system, with fixed-

For more info

Floyd County Sheriff’s Department • Address: 311 Hauss Square, New Albany • Phone: 812-948-5400 • Website: fcsdin.org

creased church services and narcotic and alcohol anonymous classes within the jail to try and reform inmates.

He also said in the near future the jail will need to be renovated.There are several things broken or outdated throughout the facility. There are tarps currently covering the roof.

“The jail is 23 years old and never maintained the way it should have been.

It is showing its age,” Loop said.“I am not advocating building a new jail. Renovating it would be cheaper on the public.”

Loop said many things have changed since he first came on the force 33 years ago when officers also served as jailers and dispatchers. He said his goal is to keep moving the department forward and never lose sight of serving the public in a professional manner.

“With so many developments popping up, we are no longer a rural agency. We are now suburban,” he said. “The landscape and calls for service have changed, but overall Floyd County is a great community that is safe.”

Thomas Street sidewalk work set to begin soon Street closure approved for Ekin Avenue festival NEW ALBANY — A sidewalk enhancement project worth almost $400,000 will begin as early as Monday in New Albany.

Excel Excavating — the contractor who was awarded the bid in April to upgrade sidewalks along Thomas Street — updated the Board of Public Works and Safety on the work Tuesday.

Crews will focus on one or two blocks at a time to keep the disturbance to the neighborhood at a minimum, an official with Excel told the board.The contract awarded for the project is good for 120 days, with a set starting time of June 1.

Wes Christmas, an engineer with the city-hired firm Clark-Dietz, said substantial completion is slated for early September, with the project scheduled to be finished in October.

Since the crews are working on sidewalks, Christmas predicted traffic shouldn’t be greatly affected by the construction.

“We really think it should be very limited if there are any lane closures,” he said.

The project will extend from Beeler Street to Market Street along Thomas, and is being footed with federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

The city eyed the project in part because the path is frequently traveled by students who attend Hazelwood Middle School and New Albany High School.

Construction will begin close to Beeler Street when the project starts. There will be some curb replacement included with the work, and that may require some lane closures, but none have been announced to date.

STREET CLOSURE APPROVED FOR FESTIVAL For the third year, a neighborhood street festival will be held on Ekin Avenue.

The event, which is slated for June 13, will be held between 11th and 13th streets on Ekin Avenue, and the board of works agreed to close the street in that area for the festival.

“Last year it was great. So many people came,” said Lori Brown, one of the organizers of the event.

Games and activities for children will be held during the free event, which will run from 3 to 10 p.m.

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Progress Government & Education

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Watching out for Clark County Lights illuminate the Big Four Walking Bridge in Jeffersonville

Jeffersonville Works!

Anyone living in Jeffersonville has witnessed the city’s progress over the last three years.

In 2012, the city was facing a recession and high level of unemployment.

Just years later, Jeffersonville is thriving, with more than 3,000 new permanent jobs created in the city.

The recent job growth is due largely to River Ridge Commerce Center.

With the opening of the one million square foot Amazon fulfillment center, 5,000 full-time and seasonal jobs were instantly created. Since Amazon’s move to River Ridge, other companies — Standard Register Co., Autoneum, Tenneco Inc., American Fuji Seal, and Catamaran Corp. — saw this as an opportunity for relocation as well.

Jeffersonville’s boom isn’t limited to new jobs. Plenty of new opportunities for residents and visitors have been created in the last few years as well.

Although the Clarksville side of Veterans Parkway has been a popular commercial corridor for years, Jeffersonville has only recently brought life to its side of the parkway with new shopping and dining experiences. In just the last couple of years, Veterans Parkway has seen a rise in visitors due to new additions like Culver’s, BoomBozz Pizza, Heine Bros. Coffee and Comfy Cow ice cream.

For more info City of Jeffersonville

• Website: cityofjeff.net

But interest in Jeffersonville’s new amenities is perhaps greatest in the city’s downtown, which experienced a revival upon the completion of the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge.

It is estimated that after Jeffersonville’s side of the bridge opened in May 2014, nearly 100,000 people made the trek from Louisville to Jeffersonville each month.This new foot traffic hasn’t slowed. And now, with the start of another warm weather season, increased interest in Jeffersonville’s downtown continues to bring a boost to the area’s businesses including classics like Schimpff’s Confectionery and to new eateries, like Red Yeti and Big Four Burgers.

Big Four Station, the city’s newest park, also continues to draw visitors into downtown. The award-winning park, located at the foot of Jeffersonville’s ramp to the Big Four Bridge, offers visitors the chance to enjoy the new pavilion, a children’s playground, walking and biking paths, and a waterfall with reflecting pool.

Sheriff Jamey Noel combines past and present to better the community

When Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel took office in January, the changes were immediate and plentiClark County Sheriff’s Department ful and they have not stopped since.

The Clark County Sheriff Depart• Address: 501 E. Court Ave., ment is now a mixture of the old and Jeffersonville the new.

• Phone: 812-283-4471 The old includes bringing back • Website: clarkcosheriff.com Maj. Sam Beard as the new jail commander to work along another longtime jail operations veteran — Capt. on the outside,” he said.

Michael Doggendorf. A Sheriff’s OfThe recidivism rate, or the rate at fice veteran, Brad Jones, is the chief. which people relapse into criminal A strong interest remains in the jail’s behavior, is of great concern to SherGED program, which is a leader in iff Noel as well. the state in percentage of inmates New inmate programs aimed topassing and receiving the GED cer- ward that goal include keeping the tificate.

Residents in Christ ministry for the Sheriff Noel has kept a court liai- inmates as well as having a new fullson officer position to ensure comtime pastor. Other programs munication between the include an Alcoholics Anonycourts and the jail to ensure mous program and a Freeinmates are not lost in the dom 101 cognitive thinking system or kept past their reclass that teaches inmates lease date in the jail. about accepting responsibilThe focus on community ity for their actions. policing is two-fold; officers A new 360-day program respond to complaints to in the works called Life Line protect the public and they Connection, will have inserve the community in mates working a job during many varied programs and jamey noel the last months of their incarvolunteer opportunities. In ceration. When not working, addition, the Sheriff’s Office is re- classes will include training in areas sponsible for delivering the court such as anger management resoludocuments to those involved in legal tion, addictions, depression, co-dedisputes in civil process issues. Re- pendency issues and reconnecting tired ATF Asst. Agent in Charge Col. with family. Successful participants Jeff Groh heads up the enforcement will be offered a full-time job after division. their release as well as transitional The Clark County Sheriff’s correc- housing. tions officers are assigned the tasks Road officers are being equipped of manning Clark County Court- with new cars and increased trainhouse security stations at the en- ing. Corrections officers are now trance to the building as well as in required to have monthly training the courtroom during criminal hear- and the new Certified Emergency ings.

Response team recently completed The largest part of the depart- a weekend of defensive tactics trainment’s budget involves jail opera- ing. A reserve corrections officer tions. Newly appointed Director program has been instituted to preof Jail Operations Scott Conlen is a pare a qualified list of applicants for jail veteran whose mission involves future openings. more than just overseeing the jail’s Adapting to changing societal isday-to-day activities. sues involving law enforcement and “My goal is not only to deal with jail operations will continue to be a the inmates while they are in jail but trademark for Sheriff Noel’s adminalso to help to prepare them for life istration.

For more info

A look at Greater Clark County Schools’ initiatives District utilizes College and Career Readiness, Pathways

College and Career Readiness Greater Clark County Schools is helping its students focus well beyond high school graduation through its new College and Career Readiness initiative.

Fully implemented this school year, the initiative offers students the tools they need to seek out college or job information, internship opportunities, scholarships and more.

“Our mission is for all students to not only graduate, but to be connected to a post-secondary opportunity,” said GCCS Superintendent Andrew Melin.

“We want to make sure we mhave the best fit for kids when gthey leave us.” h Post-secondary opportunitties are defined as attending a two or four-year college, an aptprenticeship, military service, -or taking a full-time job.

- The new program hopes to wbuild on previous successes, as “92 percent of the 2013-14 eclass left us having been actcepted to a post-secondary op-portunity,” Melin said. “That’s ,up 5 percent from 2013, the efirst year we started tracking -that data.”

A Pathway to Success Starting in sixth grade, all -GCCS students are channeled ninto pathways based on their skills, motivations and interests. rPathways were created using hthe Hoosier Hot 50 future jobs , listing. o The Pathways are: Engineere ing, Technology, Manufacturing yand Skilled Trades; Business, Ineformation Technology and Logistics; Human Services (educantion, law, arts); and Health care ,and Related Sciences.

“All of our middle and high school students are in a pathway,” Melin said. “We’re trying to answer that age-old question - why do I need to learn this?”

The paths are fluid and can change as the child grows.

For more info

Greater Clark County Schools • Address: 2112 UticaSellersburg Road, Jeffersonville Phone: 812-283-0701 Website: gcs.k12.in.us Students: 10,528, including preschool Employees: 718 certified employees, 717 other staff members

“They can be on one pathway one year and another a month from now,” Melin said. “It doesn’t matter to us what pathway the student is in, but they know what pathway they’re in and why.”

Career Centers A major component of the College and Career Readiness initiative is the Career Center.

All three GCCS high schools have one. Jeffersonville and Charlestown high school’s dedicated space to centers this school year and New Washington High School’s is under construction.

The centers actively seek out partnerships with area businesses, 368 just this school year. From those meetings 150 formalized relationships were formed, leading to anything from an internship for a high school student or a focused field trip for students on a certain pathway.

The centers also host job interviews for local businesses or military recruiters, helps place students in internships, provide career counseling, host college recruitment visits, and provides information on scholarship opportunities.

The centers’ internship efforts were met with immediate success with 49 interns/co-op students placed by January 2015. Current requests for the 2015-16 school year include 49 at Jeffersonville High School alone.

Preparing Teachers, as Well “Today, in education, more than ever, relevancy is a key

TOP AND RIGHT: Greater Clark County Schools has fully implemented its College and Career Readiness initiative this year.

GCSS is also helping channel students into pathways and connect students with career centers.

In addition, the GCCS Educational Foundation has committed up to $10,000 in matching funds for a Teacher Externship Program.

term that teachers need to have when they’re planning,” said Melin. “They need to ask, ‘How am I going to make what I’m teaching relevant to students?’.”

The Greater Clark County Schools Educational Foundation has committed up to $10,000 in matching funds for a Teacher Externship Program.

“It’s important that we provide our teachers with opportunities to get out into the community,” Melin said.

Teachers can spend one week over the summer in a local workplace,“to see what life is like and bring that experience into the classroom next school year,” said Melin. “It’s all about increasing the relevancy between academic concepts and real life.”

An advisory committee has been formed which will allow business representatives to meet with teachers four times

a year.

Each school will have a subcommittee of at least 20 committee members — at least five for each of the four pathways, that will meet with the teach-

ers to discuss, “how they can connect academic concepts to real life,” Melin said. “The goal is to show the relevancy between their field of business and the classroom.”

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Progress Government & Education

News and Tribune 05.29.2015

New Albany progresses into future As New Albany celebrates more than 200 years of history, it is also working to progress into the future with many new and exciting projects, including more parks, summer events, added and expanded businesses, and more, all while operating under budget for multiple consecutive years. projects Downtown and neighborhoods in New Albany are seeing the benefits as progress continues throughout the city.

Mayor Jeff Gahan discussed the newest open park facility for the city, Silver Street Park, which redeveloped an old industrial site located in and near local neighborhoods. This project took an 18-acre dilapidated industrial site and turned it into a recreational destination. The park boosts an indoor turf facility, a walking trail, skate-park, football/soccer fields, basketball goals, shelter houses, graffiti wall, and a kids splash park. Residents in the area have spoken highly of the improvements done at the old Hoosier Panel site.

Another redeveloped River Run Family Water Park. area includes the soon to be opened River Run Family Water Park located at the former site of the Camille Wright swimming pool. Before construction on River Run began, this site had sat vacant for years after the old pool was closed.

This left the city of New Albany without a public swimming pool for the first time in decades. The new water park includes a large recreational pool, multiple slides, a lazy river, as well as concessions and a sunbathing City Silver Street Park. area. Mayor Gahan stated that this water park is unlike any other community public pool facility in the area and the citizens of New Albany will be proud of the improvements for years to come.

“These two projects, along with the number of improvements made to all city parks, make New Albany more competitive and will improve the quality of life for residents for years to come,” Gahan said.

Other parks that have Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series seen major improvements are the revamped and restored Billy Herman Baseball Park, new soccer/ football fields at Binford Park, and upgrades at Valley View and Cherry Valley golf courses.

Work has also been done to in-fill abandoned lots or demolished buildings. Most recently, the dilapidated 922 Culbertson lot has had multiple 2-story homes built, transforming and preparing the corner for new families to make their home.

The city is also hard at work on the business Last year’s Riverfront Independence Day Celebration. of residency, including exist, but can thrive that trend. While mainwork on the nearly 200 and compliment each taining the finances, the unit market rate devel- other when communica- city has continued to inopment on Spring Street tion is encouraged. This vest in equipment, includat the longtime vacant past year, eight historic ing a recently purchased former Coyle Chevrolet buildings received Pillar fire ladder truck which car dealership site. This Awards, showcasing how firefighters recently used much needed addition historic structures can be to help save a citizen’s life to downtown housing repurposed, remodeled, from a burning home. In will help drive business and brought back into addition, New Albany has expansion and redevel- service. This new life has also replaced the fire deopment, as well as make served to revitalize New partment’s training facilNew Albany the regional Albany by improving re- ity and has opened and leader in downtown re- tail opportunities, creat- remodeled fire houses to newal and growth. The ing new residency for provide better protection city’s quality of life model eager buyers, all while for the citizens. is taking hold across the being responsible and Recent investments state as people recognize respectful of the cher- have also been made to the value of infrastructure ished past by preserving the Flood Control Disupgrades and amenity im- history that lives in these trict. Nineteen pumps provements. Residents authentic structures. and motors were repaired of all ages consider the or replaced, marking the “quality of place” a key finances first major improvements factor in their home buyFinances and opera- made to the project since ing decisions, and more tions are on track and its completion in 1953. and more people are be- under budget while imBy the end of summer, ginning to notice that provements are made New Albany will have a New Albany is truly one The city of New Albany newly constructed City of the best places in the continues to make prog- Square Market at the corregion to raise a family. ress in both the opera- ner of Market and Bank What’s very exciting tions and finances of the streets. Not only will this about the growth of New city. The city received an provide much-needed Albany is how, thanks to A+ financial rating from space to the growing and private developers work- Standard and Poor’s, and thriving Develop New Aling with city agencies, has maintained over three bany Farmer’s Market, but historic preservationists years of operations under the site will be used for and pro-development budget, while on track for other community events efforts can not only co- a fourth year to continue as well.

Big Four Burgers + Beer opens.

Boomtown Ball and Festival.

For more info City of New Albany • Website: cityofnewalbany.com

“Develop New Albany has been an excellent partner of the city’s, cultivating the Farmer’s Market into the success that it is today, and helping us bring revitalization efforts to the core of downtown,” stated Mayor Gahan. events and festivals Events and festivals continue to draw large crowds to downtown New Albany.

This year marked the return of the highly successful Boomtown Ball and Festival, drawing even larger crowds than its inaugural year. The all-day music festival, located around the new City Square project, drew thousands to downtown New Albany for live music curated by New Albany natives Houndmouth, local food and drink, and more than 100 booth vendors. New Albany businesses were given the opportunity for a free booth space.

The Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series moves into its third year,

returning on June 5. The series runs every Friday in June, July, and August, bringing hundreds of visitors to downtown each weekend.

The Riverfront Independence Day Celebration, featuring the Louisville Crashers, will once again take place on July 3 at the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater.

This is a fun-filled, familyfriendly evening featuring live music, local food and drink, children’s inflatables, and games, culminating in a beautiful fireworks display at dark.

“Our summer events have generated some very positive feedback from both citizens and local businesses, and I’m happy that we can continue the tradition,” Gahan said.

“These events provide a great opportunity to have a night out, enjoy some fantastic music and meet new people.”

One can’t mention festivals in New Albany without mentioning Harvest Homecoming, the yearly fall festival that brings hundreds of thousands to downtown New Albany.

“Hundreds of volunteers come together each year to ensure the festival’s success, and the city is proud to do everything we can to support this excellent group and their hard work,” stated Gahan. businesses Businesses continue to open, others reinvest in

New Albany.

Gahan has been hard at work to bring more businesses to the area.

“It’s about bringing jobs to the area and keeping our residents happy by providing them with the goods and services they want and need,” Gahan said.

Big Four Burgers + Beer just recently opened their second location, right on Main Street in downtown New Albany.

This joint features handcrafted burgers and a selection of regional craft beers, and has had quite the successful launch in New Albany.

Coqui’s Café, a Caribbean restaurant and bakery, has also revitalized the old Little Chef space.

The Floyd County Brewing Company continues work on their location along Main Street, and when open, will be the second new brewery in New Albany just this year after Donum Dei Brewing Company opened its location off of Grant Line Road.

Habana Blues recently renovated a former bank building along Pearl Street for its new home of operations, giving them more space and an updated atmosphere. Other downtown businesses have also recently chosen to re-invest in New Albany, with Colokial, Dress and Dwell, and Pearls on Pearl all either expanding or rehabilitating new spaces.

“We have achieved so much already, but there is so much more to do to keep New Albany as a top choice to live, work and play,” Gahan said.“I’m very pleased with our plans and I look forward to what we can achieve in 2015 and beyond.”

Clark County Sheriff’s Office Mission: To treat all persons in the most professional manner possible and to show dignity and respect to each individual.

CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE 501 E. Court Avenue • Jeffersonville, IN 47130

812.283.4471 http://www.clarkcosheriff.com/ EMERGENCIES CALL 911

Greater Clark County Schools BRIDGING EXCELLENCE & OPPORTUNITIES

Online registration is now open for current students and students new to Greater Clark County Schools.

Students living outside the district or currently attending another district may also register online.

Greater Clark County Schools offers: • High achievement scores • High graduation rates • One-to-One Computer Initiative for Grades 3-12 • Accelerated math offerings at the middle school level • Nationally recognized Advanced Placement program • Fully funded ACT college testing program • Extensive dual credit program • Comprehensive, individualized intervention and support for identified students • Balanced calendar • Award winning fine arts programs • Enrichment through athletics and after school programs

River Run Family Water Park

NEW ALBANY ITS WHERE

YOU SHOULD BE MAYOR JEFF M. GAHAN City of New Albany.com • Facebook.com/NewAlbanyIN

Silver Street Park and Sportsplex