FLOYD COUNTY — Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority is reviewing 18 proposed projects in Floyd County, which range from parks to infrastructure improvements.
The RDA met Friday at New Albany City Hall to hear presentations from Floyd County project leaders about projects submitted for potential Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) funding.
The RDA members also completed visits to several Floyd County project sites after the presentations.
The region is seeking $75 million in READI 2.0 funding, which is the maximum amount available in this round.
If awarded, the funding would support projects in Clark, Floyd, Jefferson, Scott and Washington counties. Floyd County’s requests total about $76 million, according to previous reporting from the News and Tribune.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is expected to announce regional READI allocations on April 11.
Claire Johnson, economic development director at the City of New Albany, presented plans for addressing housing needs and improving wastewater in the city. One of the proposals is the GROWTH program, which stands for Generating Residencies, Opportunities and Wealth Through Housing.
The program aims to encourage homeownership. The city hopes to use READI funds to assist with property acquisition or purchasing residential development.
The city plans to offer incentives to developers “so that cost savings can be passed down to the future homeowners,” Johnson said. The city is also planning infrastructure improvement and site preparation.
“We’re looking at a total public investment of around $11 million and expect for that private investment to be about $72 million,” Johnson said.
The City of Albany is also seeking funding for a wastewater improvement project. This would include updates to gravity sewers, lift stations, interceptors and “other critical infrastructure enhancements.”
“We will be looking at the long-term needs of the City of New Albany by enhancing the capacity, reliability and resilience of our wastewater system,” Johnson said.
PADGETT DISTRICT
One of the requests relates to funding of infrastructure for a redevelopment district in downtown New Albany. Dylan Fisher, vice president of real estate for The Wheatley Group, presented plans on behalf of The Sprigler Company regarding the $70 million Padgett District project.
The project will require the $7 million relocation of a stormwater pipe running under the site to move forward with the development, Fisher said. The district is an “adaptive reuse” project involving both commercial and residential units, and it will involve the rehabilitation of a historic building at 300 Culbertson Ave.
In total, the multi-use district would take up two blocks, and it is located at the “northern terminus of downtown New Albany,” Fisher said.
“It is one of the last missing pieces of the downtown New Albany growth and stabilization, and this really bookends what they’ve been able to do over the last three decades down here,” he said.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
One of the requests is for $2.5 million in READI funds to assist with the development of affordable housing units near Charlestown Road.
New Albany Housing Authority Executive Director Dave Duggins spoke on behalf of the Southern Indiana Housing Corporation, a nonprofit organized under the NAHA. The organization is seeking to build 145 housing units at the driving range property near Meijer in New Albany.
He said the project would be comparable to the ongoing Beechwood project in New Albany, where the NAHA is building a mixed-income neighborhood in place of the previous public housing site.
The project will offer affordable, high-quality homes, he said.
GATEWAY PROJECT
Joe Glover, vice chancellor for university relations at Indiana University Southeast, presented plans for the IUS South Monon Trail Gateway. IUS is seeking $7 million in READI funds for the project.
The project would connect the campus with the regional South Monon Trail, which will stretch from New Albany to Mitchell. University leaders are proposing a trailhead behind the softball fields at IUS.
The plans also call for improving accessibility and safety along the Grant Line Road corridor. This “quality of place” project would allow for “connectivity with our wider region,” Glover said.
“This investment will have a positive effect on recruitment and retention rates at IU Southeast,” he said.
FLOYD COUNTY
Floyd County Director of Operations Don Lopp presented plans for the county’s regional park project in Edwardsville and improvements to Sam Peden Community Park in New Albany.
The projected cost of the park projects is $12.5 million, and the county is requesting $4 million in READI funding.
The county is seeking READI funds for the extension of utilities at the 75-acre regional park, which is adjacent to the Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus. Infrastructure work is ongoing, and the first phase of the park is expected to open in October with access to a nature preserve.
The plans for Sam Peden include upgrading the lakeside facilities, renovating the existing shelterhouse, improving playground areas and developing an area for outdoor performances.
“It was developed in the 1960s, and it needs some reimagination,” Lopp said.
Lopp also presented plans for the redevelopment of the old Edwardsville school, which will be converted into a community center through a public-private partnership.
The county is requesting $2 million in READI toward the $5.18 million project. This would help with renovations of the building, including electricity, plumbing, HVAC, windows and interior finishes, according to Lopp.
The county is also seeking funding for a natural gas line extension at the Ind. 64 corridor, Lopp said. This is “vital” for future growth in the area, including companies interested in locating at Novaparke.
“Between $200 and $300 million in private investment for the corridor is being stymied due to the lack of natural gas,” Lopp said.
GEORGETOWN
The Town of Georgetown is seeking READI funds for further enhancements to Georgetown Park, including the addition of an inclusive playground and splash pad similar to the one at Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park.
Chris Loop, president of the Georgetown Town Council, said the planned improvements will also include upgrading public restroom facilities to be ADA-compliant and adding an amphitheater for outdoor performances.
The proposed additions would benefit the community and local businesses as the area faces growth, Loop said.
“This will drive those residents to downtown Georgetown and promote that economic development,” he said.
The Town of Georgetown is also pursuing funding for a solar-powered wastewater treatment plant with the goal of increasing capacity while also saving on electric utilities, according to Georgetown Town Manager Reny Keener. The town is requesting $650,000 in READI funding.
GREENVILLE SEWER
Stephen Webb, superintendent for the Greenville Water Utility, said the town is seeking $3.5 million in READI funding to expand sewer capacity in the town. The current wastewater treatment plant is only at about half capacity, and it serves 169 homes in the Heritage Springs subdivision.
He noted health and sanitary concerns with outdated septic systems in Greenville.
“If someone has a leaking septic system, it can compromise water and impose dangerous health concerns to the public,” Webb said. “So we’re trying to address this and see how we can move forward with making this better for the community.”
REGIONAL TRAILS
Chad Reischl, director of planning for the City of Jeffersonville, spoke on behalf of Align Southern Indiana. The organization is seeking READI grant funding for several projects as part of its regional trails master plan.
Align Southern Indiana is proposing extensions of the Ohio River Greenway, trail connections between Hanover and Madison connecting with Clifty Falls State Park, a loop trail at Lake Salinda in Salem and various trail improvements throughout Southern Indiana.
SILVER HEIGHTS
Another funding request seeks to expand facilities at Silver Heights, a Christian camp and retreat center in New Albany that was founded in the late 1800s.
The project would add 40 beds and two meeting spaces to the camp in the Silver Hills neighborhood.
VENUE/SPEAKEASY PROJECTS
A local business is seeking READI funding for several projects in downtown New Albany.
Adam Carter of Primo’s Detail Plus in New Albany spoke about The Covered Wagon, a 6,000-square-foot event venue planned for the former Star Cleaners building on 3rd St.
Carter also presented plans for The Garage, a “speakeasy” bar located inside Primo’s garage on 3rd Street. This would be just across the street from The Covered Wagon venue.
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