The City hired consultants Marcia Nedland & Eileen Flanagan from Fall Creek Consultants from New York to help revitalize New Albany. The ultimate goal is to make New Albany an All American City as it was in the 1960's. This is quite a challenge as everyone knows.
The final results of the study will not be revealed until September. But several items were discussed which we could start to implement immediately.
- As everyone probably guessed is clean up. The "Adopt a Corner" plan was mentioned and the consultants thought that was a good idea. We need to keep the trash out of the streets, yards and alleys. More neighborhood clean ups are planned.
- Housing is another big issue. We need to have more people moving into homes and fixing them up.
- Along with the lack of affordable housing comes the unsafe housing. No one wants to move next door to an abandoned home which is a magnet for drug dealers or curious children. Not to mention rats and other unpleasant creatures.
- We need affordable financing if we are to put people in these homes and ask them to do a major renovation. The banks and lending institutions need to help with this. It was mentioned that New Albany has several ways to help low income families buy homes. I think these plans need more advertising. Some people may not know that they could qualify for a mortgage.
- In addition to people purchasing modest homes, it was mentioned that we need people from the East End of Louisville to look at New Albany as an affordable alternative to Cresent Hill or the Highlands. This idea needs to be marketed also. Many people in Louisville look at the river more as the Atlantic Ocean than the Ohio River.
- The downtown needs to be associated with the Greenway. We all know that it is there but we need to visit there and tell others to do the same.
- Keep our neighborhood schools open. Schools work as community centers as well as education centers and the fabric of the neighborhood is affected when an elementary school closes.
Basically we need to compete for the next generation of home buyers. The young people need to stay here or the city will become stagnant. It was said that young people need to start thinking of New Albany as a "cool" place to live. It seems that some people are moving back to settle down and this trend needs to increase.
I know this is a tall order but it can be accomplished if we each do a small part and keep our elected officials aware that we are serious about this. We need more people to attend the City Council meetings, especially West End residents, and make our voices heard.
25 comments:
Shirley, thanks for this info! I was out of town for this last week and couldn't make it so I'm glad to hear how it went!
It's interesting that you mention that New Albany needs to be marketed as a "cool" place for the younger generation.
I have voiced this opinion and sentiments at several city council meetings, to my councilman personally as well as other council members personally. You know the response? "we don't care about you, we have to focus on those on the smallest, teeniest, tiniest income which we'll do by propping up sewer funds, not supporting the YMCA and not supporting code enforcement." I'm certainly not saying these people on limited incomes need to be left in the dust by any means, and there are several programs out there to help even,(your council people should have more information on what they are, and if they don't make them get it, make them accountable!) but if we're not going to focus on the future in investing back in the city, you can bet your hat that myself and others like me will find somewhere else to go where those things are given priority.
Perhaps now that people on the outside have had a peek in and told us their (professional) opinion our council members will begin to listen.
Also with regards to marketing New Albany to other people such as those in the Highlands etc, take a look at HistoricNewAlbany.com. Jim Sprigler from Halo and a New Albany Resident, myself and Historic Landmarks of Indiana all came together to bring this idea and website to fruition. Ted Fulmore has some wonderful statistics on this site and what it has done.
I have tried several times to get funding to have a booth at places like St. James Art Fair touting New Albany, but all I hear is there is no budget to be freed up for that. Talk about a vicious circle, eh?
The neighborhood associations have been doing wonderful things when it comes to cleaning up, and making voices heard, I hope you can get your neighborhood association up and running. Please let ESNA or any of the other assoc know if you need help, I think we're all after the same goal and we'll all be more then happy to help you out!
(sorry for the novel)
ceece,
You have got to be kidding right? Have you looked at a City of New Albany financial lately? Do you know we do not have an approved 2008 budget? We have already over spent on Scribner this year from our EDIT Fund. How do you think our city is going to pay for all this?
1. I know "Tax and Spend" right Ceese?
2. code enforcement who is not doing their job.
3. YMCA who is going to be able to afford to even go there?
4. Bonds, bonds and more bonds are not the answer.
If for 30 years NO one has been able to revitilize downtown, why do you or anyone else think it can be done now?
City of New Albany have put all of our eggs in one basket. What is the risk factor that property owners will have to foot this bill.
Remember we told you all so.
When I was a kid and wanted something too expensive, my dad would tell me to go "out back and get what I needed from the money tree".
England promises the same money over and over for several different projects.
England has promising this and promising that and has delivered very little so far. Except raises to the entire third floor and himself and Carl.
What's wrong with this picture taxpayers?
Come on people, wake up!
Well it looks like the chickens may be comin home to roost. England has been playing a shell game for 6 months now, but you can only fool people for so long. England has hatched up some half-cracked schemes and his latest reminds me of thise car ads that promote the FREE,FREE,FREE stuff and then have a quickly read disclaimer that will allow them to take your home, wife, children and grandchildren for collateral.
There is one thing not free, taxes and more taxes.
It is a sad, sad past sin months for our city.
Alright first of all it's Ceece, NOT Ceese.
2ndly, anyone who took the time to do any research (or do anything other then complain) would know that the YMCA is designed and has SEVERAL membership programs for those of all income levels.
Of course I'm wrong along with the expert consultants that have been brought in, and all the other experts that do this kind of stuff for a living...
Ceece,
Thank you for your imput. I have not yet scheduled a meeting for the neighborhood association but several people have offered to help.
Shirley
to the anonymous posters:
As I said before I understand your frustration but please don't blame Ceece. She is not the person who is causing the problems.
Whether you agree with her or not she is trying to make a difference.
The administration and the council need to be held accountable for their actions. I know Mayor England has made a lot of promises. We need to make sure the basics are covered, such as sewers, the street paving, the crime, etc. This has to be done before we can think about the fancy stuff like water parks and swimming pools. You have to bake the cake before you can apply the icing.
I have never agreed with building the Natatorium (or however you spell it). It didn't make sense to put this burden on the taxpayers' backs when the rest of the YMCA was funded by riverboat funds. As for the city making a commitment, If the people join the Y they are making a commitment.
Yes, people need to invest in downtown. But not with tax dollars. Investors should buy these buildings and do the renovations. The city can give them tax incentives to do so. It would not hurt since empty buildings are not contributing anything to our revenue. But these incentives should be for a limited time since the owners will be making a profit after a while.
But we need to attend the meetings and write letters to the paper and make our voices heard. I don't know if anyone "on the 3rd floor" reads this or not so we need to let them know through other means too.
I'll get off of my soapbox now and get back to work.
To everyone, thanks for posting.
Shirley
I listen to New Albany Now last night. It was so obvious the entire program was scripted. My question for Randy Smith is this: Why is your solution for everything you want is to "raise property taxes", are you crazy?
I was curious about the new radio station but I haven't tuned in yet.
If all they want to do is raise property taxes I guess I won't be listening. Is this a "call in" show or do we just listen?
Shirley,
It's a call-in show and absolutely not a show only on raising taxes.
I think you should take a listen before you write it off. The show last night talked about not closing Silver Street Elem.
IT WAS SUGGESTED IN AN EARLIER COMMENT THAT NEW ALBANY SHOULD PRIVATIZE THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER OFFICE AND THE CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION.
THIS WOULD BE A FIRST, GIANT STEP TO GET NEW ALBANY CLEANED UP.
MANY OF THE UNSAFE TRASHY HOUSES AND YARDS ARE IGNORED WHEN THEY ARE REPORTED TO OUR CURRENT BUILDING COMMISSIONER AND CODE ENFORCEMENT.
WHY DO THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY ACTION ? ARE THESE OWNERS OF THE
UNSAFE TRASHY HOUSES AND YARDS FRIENDS OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION?
I have a neighbor who has called the street dept. several times for trash pickup (not garbage). She has even seen the empty trucks drive past her house & she's still waiting.
I thought they did a neighborhood at a time to save gas.
To Anon July 1, 11:22 AM
Yes, why is Code Enforcement so
effective in the East End and we, in the West End can't get anything cleaned up?
oooh, we're gonna take this town back, oooh, we're gonna tear it down, We said
Yeah, we're gonna take this town, back We know, we're gonna tear it down, yeah, oh yeah - watch us
We say just watch us.
Check out: New Albany administration's plan won't fix all the roads, or require a bond-issue.
Guess dougie realizes "WE THE PEOPLE" are mad as hell.
Nix the two way streets dougie.
WHY ARE WE EVEN TALKING ABOUT MAKING 2 WAY STREETS ?
THERE ARE CHILDREN LIVING IN THE UNSAFE TRASHY HOUSES THAT THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER AND
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REFUSES TO
CLEAN UP OR DEMOLISH.
THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THOSE CHILDREN ARE FAR MORE
IMPORTANT THAT MAKING 2 WAY STREETS.
CLEAN UP THOSE TRASHY HOUSES FOR
THE SAKE OF THOSE POOR LITTLE CHILDREN.
THAT, GENTLEMEN, WOULD BE PROGRESS.
Carly Malysk and Redevelopment need to pay back the 3.2 mil to the City from the Parking Garage they OWE and England can do what he wants for his "promised" list to "certain" people. That's all, folks. PAY IT BACK, CARL.
Anon-- you are so right.
The Downtown Parking Garage needs to pay back the $3.5 million dollars of EDIT Fund money that they used to pay off the Parking Garage TIF Bonds.
If you borrow money-- you need to pay it back. How do these guys just think that they can refuse to pay back the $3.5 million loan ?
Also-- the City is still paying for the utilities and upkeep of that Downtown Parking Garage !
How can they even think of building another parking garage for $6 million?
When I got home yesterday I noticed that the street dept. had picked up my neighbor's trash. I guess the 6 phone calls they made finally got someone's attention.
Anon. 7:57 I strongly agree with you. We need to make safe housing a priority. What happened to that big box of files that Mayor Garner brought to the council meeting back in 2007? What happened to the list of unsafe houses that Mr. Schmidt brought to the same meeting?
Maybe a few of us should stay for the "non agenda items" part of Thursay's meeting and remind the council that this is still a very important issue. We don't want a child to get hurt, or worse, before something is done.
Does anyone know which streets are scheduled to be paved? The Tribune did not have much info.
Shirley,
The paving list, as pulled from this morning's Courier Journal:
State Street from Union to Elm Street.
Mount Tabor Road from Grant Line Road to Charlestown Road.
McDonald Lane from Grant Line Road to Charlestown Road.
This is a test.
Last evening, plans for the Grant Line corridor reconstruction were released by the state of Indiana.
It was fascinating.
Amen, Shirley. Everyone knows about baking those cakes.
Some information for u re the parking garage and the EDIT $$$$ due back to the City:
Minutes from New Albany Redevelopment Commission, dated November 14, 2001 (Page 2) states, IN PART,
The Director (Carl Malysz) brought attention to the State Street Parking Garage and stated general concerns regarding the Bonds. One concern the Director stated was that the bond payments are accelerating and becoming substantial. The Director explained that there will be a greater implication on EDIT funds. The Director also stated certain complications with TIF and EDIT revenues, as follows:
1. The Parking Garage finished a year or two prior to the bank building. The TIF proceeds started later than anticipated in the underwriting. From '98 thru 01 there was an accumulated TIF shortage of $256,000.
2. The bank was originally to have five floors completed and occupied. There are two floors that were left unfinished so that the assessed value (av) of the building is less than what was estimated, resulting in less TIF funds. (BTW, sure looks as if they finished those two top floors now; are they being taxed now?)
3. The original assessed value included a bank drive-through, but the site could not accomodate it. The New Albany Redevelopment Commission should add the drive-through to the TIF district to capture additional TIF proceeds.
4. EDIT funds are budgeted to be payable for a particular year. The Director suggested that the city budget the EDIT funds and have them available to Redevelopment Commission before the payments are due. This gives the resources available on time without scrambling around for the funds to make the payments. In order to get on a valid schedule, an appeal has to be made to the Council and the Controller to receive the EDIT funds available now to be current with the payment.
5. A Lease Rental Reserve was required in the bond agreement. This costs around $40,000 a year for five years or $200,000.
The Director noted that in order to be current by the end of this year, there needs to e approximately $580,000 of EDIT funds allocated to the REdevelopment Commission. The Director also stated that by the time the project is paid off, WE WILL PAY APPROXIMATELY $3,696,350 OF EDIT INTO THE PARKING GARAGE PROJECT. The Director stated that once the bonds are paid off, THEN TIF FUNDS CAN BE COLLECTED TO REFUND THE CITY THE EDIT CONTRIBUTED. IN RETURN, "THE CITY CAN USE THOSE FUNDS FOR OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS".
Other documentation includes a document dated 08/21/07 from Cyndi Krauss, Financial/Compliance Manager and John Rosenbarger, Director of NARC to the CITY COUNCIL stating, IN PART,
Per your requested received August 17, 2007 I'm providing the following State Street Garage Operating and TIF information.
1. State Street Parking Garage Operating Fund
Year 2005 Receipts $82,874.65 Expenses $69,118.24
Year 2006 Receipts $76,772.71 Expenses $54,306.52
Year 2007 (thru 7/07) Receipts $32,828.40 Expenses $22,651.74
2. Total TIF captured between 1999 and 2006 is $1,004,949.31
3. Total Debt Service paid with EDIT is $3,613,698.46.
Please pay the monies back so England can have some money to work with Redevelopment. PLEASE?
Thank you Anon 7/3 2.46.
I have taken your comments and made them into a new article soon to be published.
I hope that is OK with you. If not please sent me an email:
sbaird2066@sbcglobal.net
Shirley
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