Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers gives his annual State of City Address Thursday at the Greenwood Fieldhouse. Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
Going into his 13th year as Greenwood’s mayor, Mark Myers is excited about the city’s future.
Over the last 12 years, Myers and his staff have erased a structural deficit of $3.5 million, built “award-winning facilities” and made “long overdue” infrastructure improvements, he told a crowd of city officials and business leaders gathered for his annual State of City address Thursday at the Greenwood Fieldhouse. They’ve also worked to manage historic growth responsibly amid skyrocketing property values, new jobs and wages, he said.
“All of this progress was accomplished while keeping the tax rate flat and near the bottom of Indiana cities, and our spending per capita near the bottom of Indiana cities,” Myers said. “Every one of the 12 budgets I presented was balanced. Our actual operating results were also in the black, even during the pandemic.”
As for 2024, the city has made “significant progress” in its four pillars of administration — public safety, infrastructure, quality of life and economic development. Myers has frequently referred to these pillars over the years.
But before he went into detail about the pillars, Myers addressed last year’s mayoral primary election. The city “endured the most divisive, ugly and expensive primary campaign” in its history, he said.
“A group of mostly non-residents spent a great deal of time attempting to divide our community,” Myers said. “The events of last spring reminded me of the old proverb: ‘A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its boots on.’”
The damage of “artificial division” often cannot be corrected, Myers said. But Greenwood voters came out to polls and supported his vision for the city despite a “tsunami of disinformation.” He was thankful for the support of business leaders as well, he said.
Expansion and renewal were key themes throughout Myers’ address, particularly as he touted the progress of the last few years.
Public safety
Public safety has been a top priority of Myers’ administration since he took office in 2012, he told business leaders.
Starting with a police budget of $5.8 million in 2012, it has grown by 80% to $10.5 million for 2024. The fire department budget was $4.5 million in 2012, and is now $12.1 million — a 169% increase, he said.
There has also been growth in public safety staffing. In 2024, the city has budgeted for 72 full-time firefighters compared to 30 in 2012. As for the police, there are now 80 budgeted officers compared to 60 in 2012, Myers said.
Both police and fire, along with all other city employees, received 5% raises in 2024 too, he said.
In the next two years, the city will add a new fire station on its southeast side: Station 95. The station will require hiring 12 new firefighters, adding two new fire engines and a “host of other equipment,” Myer said.
The new station would not have been possible without the city council’s request to the state to approve a property tax levy appeal last year. The city was eligible for the extra funding because of its growth in assessed value over the past three years, he said.
Taxes were not raised by the appeal.
Myers also highlighted Fire Chief Jayme Washel, who was hired last year, and the city’s purchase of three new fire engines in 2023. One of the engines is in service at Station 94, and the other two are expected to be in service in 2025, he said.
As for the police department, Greenwood added 18 new officers in 2023. Officials have also worked to improve security systems, and through grants, added additional radar and surveillance equipment, Myers said.
“I’m so proud of those who seek to give back to their community and want them to know they will always have a partner in the mayor’s office as long as I occupy it,” he said.
Infrastructure
When the city was incorporated in 1964, its population was 7,000. Today, it is close to 70,000, and Myers says caring for its new residents and supporting its businesses requires more employees, roads facilities and money.
“We must continue to maintain, improve and modernize our infrastructure to keep pace with our growing community,” he said.
Last year, the city commissioned a study of Main Street from Meridian Street to Five Points Road. The goal is to find ways to reduce congestion, create an attractive gateway and give a better first impression to visitors arriving from Interstate 65, Myers said.
Another study has been commissioned to look at widening Smith Valley Road to four lanes from Emerson Avenue to State Road 135. Myers also highlighted the city’s planned roundabouts at Woodmen Boulevard and Averitt Road, which are expected to start construction later this year.
Old Town was another focus of Myers’ address, as the city’s “multi-year plan” to improve the streetscapes in the area has been underway. After several delays and challenges, the streetscape at Main Street and Madison Avenue has been rebuilt and is open, he said.
More streetscape work is coming. As part of The Madison development, new lighting, wider sidewalks and on-street parking are coming to Meridian Street and Madison Avenue. Some of this is already complete or will be finished soon, Myers said.
Another phase of work on Main Street, from Meridian Street to Polk Street, is being designed now. City officials have also designed and received permits to add sidewalks to both sides of Market Plaza, connecting Old City Park to City Center Park, Myers said.
The Market Plaza project is expected to take place this summer, he said.
Quality of life
Throughout his time in office, quality of life and related amenities have been a frequent focus of Myers.
Freedom Springs Aquatic Park welcomed over 95,000 visitors in 2023, earning $1.3 million in revenue to cover all of its operating expenses. The Community Center saw record growth and continues to see its membership increase, Myers said.
The city’s parks department hosted 34 community events last year. The first fishing camp was held at Freedom Park and a new Sunday High School Lacrosse League was added, he said.
Improvements have also been made to Westside Park, Northeast Park, Freedom Park, Freedom Springs, Craig Park and the Fieldhouse. The community center’s fitness center is currently being expanded in a remodel, Myers said.
Two upcoming park projects were also highlighted: the Greenwood Sports Park and the Freedom Park Pickleball Complex. Myers is looking forward to opening the sports park later this year, he said.
The demolition of a troubled Greenwood hotel was also featured in the speech: the Red Carpet Inn and Fanta Suites. After months of legal battles, the city was able to get a court order to demolish the hotel, which has been ongoing, Myers said.
“I support the free market and our business owners, but I care deeply about this community,” he said. “I’m grateful to our health department, fire department, police department and all other agencies involved in the Fanta Suites condemnation. Together, we are improving the gateway entrance to our city and making it the safe and welcoming haven of opportunity.”
Economic development
Greenwood’s economy is thriving, Myers said.
Last year, over $250 million in new residential and business projects were completed within city limits. Businesses like Eli Lilly & Co., ERMCO, Endress+Hauer and VisionQuest Eyecare have either come to the city or expanded there, he said.
Endress+Hauser, for instance, broke ground on a $40 million expansion last year with George E. Booth Co. The expansion will create 100 new jobs with average compensation of $100,000 a year, Myers said.
Businesses aren’t the only things coming to Greenwood. In 2023, 201 new single-family homes were constructed and another 450 are expected to be built this year, Myers said.
“The combination of improved quality of life and new housing options have given our children both reasons to remain in Greenwood and a place to live after they graduate. It warms my heart to hear of students choosing to return to Greenwood after college because of our amenities and quality housing options”
Pulte Homes has been issued site improvement permits for an age-restricted, 55-and-up Del Webb community on the city’s east side. The project will have 540 homes when completed, as well as $12 million in recreational facilities. It is expected to increase the city’s tax base by $110 million, Myers said.
Indy South Greenwood Airport continues to see new users and win awards, Myers said. Last year, officials added underground stormwater detention, which allows them to expand the runway to service a wider range of aircraft, he said.
The Aeronautical Center of Technology also opened last year, giving high school students the opportunity to build and fly an airplane which will be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration. This program was made possible with the support and “generous donation” of State Rep. Mike Speedy, R-Indianapolis, Myers said.
Going forward
Now two months into his 13th year in office, Myers says the city will continue to “prioritize the safety and security of Greenwood residents” by ensuring that public safety is supported and funded properly. Efforts will also continue to expand and modernize infrastructure to “keep pace with communities with whom we compete for residents and businesses,” he said.
Officials also plan to improve and expand quality of life initatives, including parks, trails, recreation facilities and family events, Myers said.
The city will also continue to be “be one of the most efficient communities in the country,” he said. The tax rate and spending per resident will remain at the bottom of Indiana cities and the city’s budgets will remain balanced too, Myers said.
“Greenwood doesn’t have the same face it did when my dad served as our mayor in the 1970s, but it has the same heart, and I couldn’t be more blessed to lead our team and our city into the future,” Myers said.
“… Ladies and gentlemen, it’s year 13. Let’s get back to work.”
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