ANDERSON — During his annual State of the City address, Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. discussed achievements in 2025 and several ongoing projects.
Broderick gave his annual address Sunday at the Madison County Historical Society before a standing-room-only crowd of city officials and local residents.
Local resident Kellie Kelly was impressed.
“There were more details provided,” she said. “I wish it would be at a larger venue so more people could attend.”
Broderick, a Democrat, highlighted improvements to the city’s water utility and plans to upgrade both the water pollution control department and electric utility.
Anderson is spending $130 million to increase the capacity of the water department to include construction of a new well field and treatment plant in south Anderson.
“This is the most sweeping and aggressive action taken in the history of our community as it relates to our water needs,” Broderick said.
City Council recently approved rate increases for the sewer and electric utilities to eliminate combined sewer overflows and expand the city’s electric utility services.
Interviewed Monday, some Republicans serving on City Council voiced concerns about Broderick’s proposals.
But Councilwoman Jennifer Culp, a Republican, said she is generally pleased with the infrastructure improvements being planned by the city.
“It’s taken 40 years,” she said. “I don’t know why other mayors didn’t address the problems.”
Broderick also said his administration is working with design engineers and consultants on the planned improvement to Athletic Park.
The Anderson Redevelopment Commission has pledged $38 million to the project, and the city in January received a $4 million grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the mayor noted.
“We also project an additional $3 million for the project from the Park Department and Anderson Board of Public Works,” Broderick said. “I have asked the designers to provide updated plans that reflect that pricing.”
He said the initial cost of $53 million for the Athletic Park project “needs to be scaled back.”
Culp said the project is dependent on the source of the funding.
“It’s a quality-of-life issue,” she said. “It will be beautiful, but will we have the park staff to maintain it?”
Republican Councilwoman Rachel Landers has heard concerns about putting a water park in an area that could be close to a Super Fund cleanup site.
“We need to do an investigation to determine if it’s a safe place,” she said. “I think it’s a great idea to develop the area so people can enjoy the outdoors.”
Rebecca Crumes, a former member of the Anderson City Council interviewed Monday, said there have been many different variations of what is being proposed for Athletic Park.
“We need to see a concrete plan,” the Democrat said. “I know they want a place for people to congregate.”
Broderick said work on an updated city and park department comprehensive plan should be completed by July.
“The proposals have been sent back to us for additional comments, and we’re reviewing them,” he said. “There will be one more public comment opportunity before it’s sent for approval by the city council and park board.”
Culp also cited the need for an updated comprehensive plan, but she believes it should include more community input.
Broderick said in 2025 the Anderson Economic Development Department brought in the creation of 600 new jobs and investments of more than $220 million. He mentioned the opening last year of the Ace Hardware store and the planned March 19 opening of the Needler’s grocery store on the city’s west side. Broderick said the grocery store represents a $10 million investment and noted that McDonald’s is investing $8 million on a new restaurant on Raible Avenue. “We’re working with a company on a plan for the future development of the former Kmart propert y,” Broderick added. Crumes said how people per c eive improvements in Anderson depends on who they are.
“Some people are very pleased,” she said. “There are a lot of issues on the west side. We need code enforcement and actions against slum landlords. We need to see more from this administration.”
Culp said new housing to be built in Anderson is welcome, but she said expressed concerns about a lack of new businesses.
“What’s the job market?” she asked. “I think the morale of people is low. Good things can happen, but it some ways the city is stagnant.”
Landers said the city, in some regards, is moving slowly in the right direction.
“There are things that should have been done a while back,” she said. “I’m encouraged and believe Anderson will grow. The urban sprawl is coming in Lapel and Pendleton, and Anderson is next.”
© 2026 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.