New Albany to Use $5M Gift For Revitalization Efforts
Rendering of the Loop Island Wetlands project (image courtesy city of New Albany)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County has awarded a $5 million gift to the city of New Albany. The gift will be used toward four major projects in the city’s downtown and along the Ohio River Greenway.
Officials in New Albany broke ground on the final leg of the Ohio River Greenway project earlier this month. The city says these new projects will focus on areas surrounding the greenway that are in need of revitalization.
One of the projects will develop the Loop Island Wetlands into a nature preservation area, which the city says will create a space for residents to "relax and reconnect with our roots as a river community." The project will also include transforming the western edge of the greenway into campgrounds along with canoe and kayak launch off points, a boat house and boat ramp and more.
"For years, access to our natural waterways here in New Albany has been limited," stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. "These projects, and others like the Silver Creek Access project, will help us reconnect to our river heritage."
The gift will also fund improvements to the Market Street corridor in New Albany with a focus on safety and walkability. Some of the improvements include enhanced crosswalks and intersections as well as beautification efforts with improved landscaping and foliage.
The city is also planning to make a number of facade improvements along Main Street and update the current overlook for the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater. You can view renderings of each project by clicking here.