GREEN MOUSE SAYS: The My Scratch & Dent building has not changed ownership -- at least yet, but Loop Island luxury might depend on it.

The Green Mouse awoke to a tip.

Here is something for the Green Mouse to look into. Rumor has it the My Scratch & Dent property on Silver Street recently was bought by the company who built the Breakwater.

That'd be Flaherty and Collins out of Indianapolis, and this rumor almost surely reflects tangible back-alley spitballing on the part of forever secretive Team Gahan operatives and profit-seeking companies located elsewhere.

However, as of this precise moment the My Scratch & Dent property and the one immediately to the east of it (outlined in blue above) are owned by a company called Nickelin LLC.

You'll see that Nickelin LLC is Joe Zeller; Zeller owns Tiger Trucking, and uses these two properties for truck parking and all-purpose filth distribution.

2015 photo.

On the one hand, Tiger Trucking is no fan of Gahan's; on the other, everyone has their price. It appears that Nickelin LLC purchased these two properties in 2004 for $2.4 million. It's hard to imagine Flaherty and Collins, or any other well-heeled developers, buying these on their own dime. Tax Increment Financing? That's another story, even before the sewer tap-in waiver gifting.

To complete the overview, here are a few seemingly random news items from the past few years.

1. Mayor Gahan seizes the New Albany Housing Authority and includes NAHA's Riverside Terrace apartments -- the housing authority's newest and best units, outlined in yellow above -- on the wish-to-demolish list, confusing even Ben Carson, whose HUD agency wags a prohibitive finger.

2. After long, grinding years of 2:00 a.m. phone calls and drunk texting, the Horseshoe Foundation agrees to give Gahan a few million bucks if he'd just stop harassing it. Part of the lucre goes toward purchasing the Loop Island Wetlands (outlined in red) to be the next crown jewel for the city's quality-of-life, loss-leading parks system.

3. Taking control of the wetlands property, city officials conclude (connive?) that the major impediment to luxury development is the historic brick Moser Tannery building, which would be cost-ineffective to renovate by the matchstick 'n' sheet rock developers of the contemporary. With the city's historic preservationist contingent distracted and bedazzled by the ongoing Reisz Mahal high end city hall project, Moser Tannery doesn't stand a chance, and conveniently is torched -- presumably by the very same homeless people Gahan claims don't exist in his city. One of them probably is named Dmitrov.

4. Clark County finally succeeds in completing the bridge over Silver Creek, connecting the Ohio River Greenway to Clarksville and Jeffersonville, and enhancing the value of every projected "luxury" development in the vicinity.

Nothing against My Scratch & Dent, where we've shopped in the past, but quite obviously Nickelin's/Zeller's two poorly maintained properties are the next barrier to Gahan's skin-deep dreams of Loop Island opulence, as the Moser Tannery and NAHA's building were before this. The tannery is dust; give him another term, and he'll probably come up with a work-around to displace the Riverside Terrace occupants.

Or, conversely, you can #FireGahan2019 and restore a modicum of sanity to the existing megalomania and power trips. 

The shrinking remnants of Moser Tannery can't take much more of this strange "love" from Team Gahan.

There was a fire over the weekend at, in or near the former Moser Tannery, which the city of New Albany purchased last year as part of its plan to render the Loop Island Wetlands into a proper, campaign-finance-accruing parks unit for the greater glory of Gahanism.

WDRB mentioned the fire, but did not follow-up. Don't even ask about the Collected Works of Tom May, formerly known as the 'Bune, which evidently was busy sponsoring a barbecue coloring book contest somewhere near River Ridge.

The fire was the second in the vicinity of the tannery since early March, when a late-model industrial warehouse adjacent to the remaining brick building went up in flames. 

Is it just me, or has the abuse of the tannery site -- graffiti, vandalism, garbage and fires -- escalated noticeably since City Hall (ahem) took control?

I'm sure Dear Leader's official party line still calls for the reclamation of the main structure into something suitably luxurious to impel the mayor up from the bunker and out for a ribbon-cutting.

But right about now, it looks like the longer the city sits tight doing nothing at the Moser footprint, the greater chance there'll be nothing left to do anything with. 

Cha-ching: Wheelbarrows of someone else's money to Gahan for bright shiny objects, so let's hope them people don't get in the way.

On March 28, we surveyed the state of luxurious riverside improvements in the wake of the Horseshoe Foundation's "just give him some money and maybe he'll leave us alone" gift to City Hall.

City Hall describes the four major projects to be funded (in part?) through the Horseshoe Foundation's $5 million gift.

The gift is to help fund projects in downtown New Albany and along the Ohio River Greenway. Four major projects will be funded through this generous gift from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County.

Greenway construction has proceeded throughout the year on the New Albany side of Silver Creek, and Jeff Gahan's deep-seated desire to make the waterfront safe for normal folks just like him was revealed when his original public housing putsch plans called for the demolition of Riverside Terrace ... after all, do suburban bicyclists really want to gaze down upon the impoverished and their tawdry clotheslines?

I mean, can't they afford the laundromat? Rest assured, Deaf Gahan feels your pain, appropriately perfumed (and gated) community residents, and by golly, he'll queue the cattle cars if that's what it takes to be re-elected.

One of the lingering questions about New Albany's patch of Greenway has to do with the disposition of the New Albany Boat Club. It's another of those queries rudely handled by Gahan's team of spin doctors, whose dismissive reticence is the best reason to believe chicanery has been at play all along.

Our most recent update came on January 26, 2017.

In New Gahania, only the riverside squatters survive.

Then there's the New Albany Boat Club. It clearly was squatting for decades (see links below), but was given an 11th-hour reprieve when City Hall exercised eminent domain against a property owner who'd only just emerged victorious in a lengthy court fight against the squatters -- who were given back the property, which hadn't been theirs in the first place, by a City Hall that operates by divine decree, and not rule of law.

All of which leads to the most recent heroic announcement in a series of North Korean-intensity screeds, as the tourism bureau now joins the casino foundation in paying Gahan to please-just-go-away.

It's free money, says City Hall -- just avert your eyes while we displace public housing populations; then, as the champagne corks bounce off the drop ceilings, we all can still pretend we're letter-perfect, Greg Fischer-style Democrats.

Gahan must play trombone, too, as he seems to have mastered slide lubricant.

City Council to Vote on Capital Development Bond with Clark/Floyd Counties Convention Tourism Bureau Mike Hall Press Agency)

At their meeting this Thursday, the city council is set to discuss a capital development bond for the Clark/Floyd Counties Convention Tourism Bureau. In June of 2017, the city, in partnership with the Culbertson Mansion, applied and was awarded $825,000 from the Tourism Bureau for the New Albany Visitor and Historic Generator Project. The Culbertson Mansion is currently undergoing many restoration projects, including a full restoration of the home’s original cast iron. As part of the $825,000 award, approximately $231,000 will be applied to the cast iron restoration at the Mansion.

The City is aiming to help promote tourism through several additions, including a new boat ramp, additional picnic areas, boat docks, increased walking and running trails, and more along the Ohio River, including updates to the scenic and historic Loop Island Wetlands.

The capital development bond will be paid for through the $825,000 grant awarded to the City. There is no financial obligation for repayment of the bond from the city – the Tourism Buereau is responsible and obligated to pay the bond.

“This generous gift from the Tourism Bureau will help restore one of our most historic properties, the Culberston Mansion,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “In addition, the city will continue working towards connecting our citizenry back to our river heritage, and will provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy our Riverfront Greenway.”

City Takes Steps to Save $220,000 Per Year Through Refinancing

At today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting, the board moved forward with refinancing three outstanding bonds in order to save approximately $220,000 per year. The refinancing proposal will not increase the original term length of financing, and lowers interest rates significantly.

The three outstanding bonds have a current rate of 4.125%, 4.870%, and 5.700%. Under the refinancing package approved at today’s meeting, the rate is 2.500% for all three outstanding bonds, saving approximately $220,000 per year.

“I’m pleased that we are able to refinance these obligations at a much lower rate,” stated Mayor Gahan. “This end of year action will net savings for the citizens of New Albany.”

The proposal will now move to the New Albany City Council for approval at their Thursday meeting.

City Hall describes the four major projects to be funded (in part?) through the Horseshoe Foundation's $5 million gift.

Earlier, we had video from today's ceremony.

horseshoe-foundation.html" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">Cosmetic surgery: Horseshoe Foundation gives Jeff Gahan $5 million to spend on whatever he damn well pleases.

There'll be time for further discussion.

Until then, following is the city's press release -- Team Gahan's own words and illustrations, offered without comment.

One clarification: The segment of Market Street pictured below is between W. 1st and Pearl. 

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horseshoe-foundation-gives-5-million-gift-to-city">Horseshoe Foundation Gives $5 Million Gift to City

This morning, at a media event at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater, the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County awarded a $5 million gift to the City of New Albany.

"On behalf of the City of New Albany, I'd like to express my sincere thanks for this extraordinary gift from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County," stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. "Their generous gift will benefit the City of New Albany for years to come."

The gift is to help fund projects in downtown New Albany and along the Ohio River Greenway. Four major projects will be funded through this generous gift from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County.

Additions Along the Ohio River Greenway

As the original Ohio River Greenway Project nears completion, a few areas surrounding it are in need of some revitalization.

One project aims at developing the Loop Island Wetlands into a nature preservation area, and encouraging residents to take part in and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The Ohio River Greenway Project aims to bring increased tourism to the area, encourage healthy lifestyles, and improve the overall quality of life of residents, and this project will assist the Greenway in those goals. The nature preserve, in addition with other beautification efforts on site, will create a beautiful space to relax and reconnect to our roots as a river community.

Along the western edge of the Ohio River Greenway, river recreation reigns supreme. Plans for this section include campgrounds, canoe and kayak launch off points, docks/slips, fuel pumps, 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."

Market Street Promenade

This project aims at both beautifying and improving the safety and walkability of the Market Street corridor, while retaining the unique historic feel. It will include enhanced crosswalks and intersections with decorative pavers, improved pedestrian safety and walkability, all with a focus on the historic character of the area. Work will also be done to enhance the overall tree canopy with native and proper species, and improve the landscaping and foilage for both beautification and improved safety and sight-lines.

Downtown Facade Improvements

New Albany has a plethora of beautiful, historic buildings in its downtown. Unfortunately, over the years, some of these buildings have had windows shuttered and closed off, original brick walls painted over, and historic character lost. Some buildings have even been painted together to appear as one structure. This project will seek to revitalize, refurbish, and redevelop buildings and facades in the downtown area, reinvigorating these historic strcutures to their original historic look, including improved windows and uncovered original brickwork.

Riverfront Overlook

The current overlook for the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater has served its purpose for many years overlooking the beautiful Ohio River. However, after many years, it is time to look at updating this structure. This project will both study and redevelop the structure into a more usable and friendly location for residents and visitors to gather and view the majestic Ohio River, along with events and festivals along the riverfront property.

Here's an idea Irv Stumler won't want to miss: Beautify Tiger Truck Lines, and watch the city squirm.

Last weekend, we walked the Greenway from 18th Street to the Loop Island Wetlands, emerging where Irv Stumler's model local trucking firm parks all of its job creation junk.

• 1. Seemingly useless rubbish which sits around for months and is inevitably disposed of the day before it is needed.
• 2. A reference to something of little or no value
• 3. The male genitalia
• 4. A kind of Chinese boat
• 5. Heroin

Yes, months later, the squalor still aptly symbolizes ...

Tiger Trucking's affectionate "fuck you" to the residents of New Albany.

But we already know that Tiger as a unit is a recurring, discordant and anti-social element, so let's move on to the future of the wetlands and the former Moser tannery.

In recent months, there has been a noticeable uptick in graffiti and vandalism at the former Moser Tannery, and as the missus reminded me when I remarked on this, it's now city-owned property. It's getting gritty down there, with lots of broken glass and debris.

The story of the city's $800k transaction was published in June.

City buys former tannery, evaluating it for future development, by Marty Finley (Louisville Business First)

A former tannery that previously was pegged for redevelopment as apartments has a new owner and its potential uses are being assessed.

The city of New Albany purchased the former Caldwell/Moser Tannery, a four-acre site in New Albany near the Ohio River Greenway.

The city of New Albany has purchased the former Caldwell/Moser Tannery and an adjoining wetlands area near the Ohio River Greenway ...

No media account dealing with New Albany government would be complete without the requisite "he didn't call back" disclaimer.

It was not clear from the release how much of that investment is carried by New Albany. Mayor Jeff Gahan did not return a call seeking comment on the project, and (Mike) Hall was unsure of the amount.

Does he ever? Rest assured, if I were a TIF zone, it'd be time to buy Astroglide in bulk.

The bigger point is this: If Irv's worried about appearances, shouldn't he be actively convincing his pals at Tiger to clean up their act, so the city's adjacent squalor would be set in even greater contrast?

Tiger Trucking's affectionate "fuck you" to the residents of New Albany.

Last week I walked the Greenway from the amphitheater, going east. My exit point was just to the right ...

...of the Loop Island Wetlands sign. Moments before, exiting the Greenway near this inspiring sight ...

 ... a carload of out-of-towners stopped and asked me if the wetlands were near (yes, just over there) and whether it was legal for them to park (yes, on the tannery side as far as I know).

I hadn't seen the sign in the first photo, threatening trespassers with towing, and of course making no effort to explain the situation in coherent detail.

Of course, Tiger's area near the Greenway/Loop Island portal has been an unsightly, trash-ridden disgrace for a long time. But the company doesn't stop there.

Ever since the Main Street beautification project, Tiger has used tiny 13th Street as a de facto company connecting road although urban residential areas.

Throughout, a cowardly City Hall has done nothing. It's hard to determine which entity, Tiger Trucking or City Hall, is capable of greater flights of anti-social behavior. Just now that in the case of Tiger's signage near the Greenway, the confusion and distaste is in the minds of those people coming to visit.

In effect, Tiger is discouraging tourism.

And, as always, Jeff Gahan remains silent, and does absolutely nothing.

Ever the team player, Tiger Trucking beautifies the entrance to Loop Island Wetlands.

What they're saying: Al Knable on possible wetlands expansion; also, Diane Benedetti and David White.

As the weeks go past in route to May's primary election, I'll try to provide periodic unedited candidate statements of approximate substance, as lifted from social media and news reports, and as opposed to familiar gems (although they certainly have their place) like "yard signs win elections, not people" or "donate to my campaign first, and maybe I'll have something of merit to say much, much later."

That's because it is my aim to determine whether our declared candidates have anything to say at all, and I'll quote all candidates, whether or not they're in a contested race. Just promising change and new ideas without divulging them won't cut the mustard, aspirants.

With most Democratic candidates preoccupied with party directives to plant yard signs and sing kumbaya, there nonetheless were bits of wheat amid the chaff.

In the mayoral race, David White (Fb site reference) got cogent with his challenger's centerpiece, a $9 million aquatics center.

(Quoting an N and T story) "Though an exact operating budget per year hasn't been established, city officials have received projected cost estimates to maintain and staff the pool" ...  you've got to be kidding me! How can one agree to such a high dollar project without knowing it's overhead and financial impact on the city? 

5th district incumbent Diane Benedetti now has a campaign site at Facebook, and will be joining builders:

Look for Team Benedetti in the upcoming New Albany-Floyd County Habitat for Humanity Women Build Team, part of National Women Build Week.

You may notice Al Knable's name popping up here frequently, and that's because of all the candidates currently declared for council (he's seeking an at-large seat as a Republican), he's the one who has most often dared expound at length on a variety of topics. It would be an understatement to note how very refreshing this is.

Like this one, at his Fb campaign page. Finally, someone who sees the opportunities afforded by seeming reversals.

I reconnected with my inner-biologist today, toured some of the swamps near NOLA via airboat with my family.

I caught the kids by surprise when I told them during a quiet lull that we have areas similar to this near New Albany (sans alligators of course) and that I believe we can expand upon them to boot! I reminded them of the great resource we have in Loop Island and of the generosity that made that wetland's preservation possible.

The possible expansion? Gallagher Station.

I think the writing is on the wall. With the EPA's last round of regulations, Duke's options are very limited and I believe G.S. will be moth-balled in the near future.

This will create short term hardship as NA will face lost employment and revenue. Long term- great opportunity!

We need to start conversing NOW with state and federal agencies to assure the transition of this facility to protected wetland habitat.

This would allow for Green Belt continuity between Loop Island and G.S. wetlands. What a treasure for naturalists and fishing and hunting enthusiasts!

Clearly this goes beyond the scope of our City Council, but we need to be part of the discussion if we want to guide our future. I've actually already started this discussion with our current and former Governors and hope to continue the conversation as one of NA's elected representatives.

This is a decade's long project! We'll need leaders with foresight and discipline to pull it off. Please help me spread the word!

Al Goodman on the trestle, the Greenway connection, Loop Island wetlands, Moser Tannery future and more.

Just yesterday a customer at Bank Street Brewhouse asked me how matters are proceeding with reference to the unfinished Ohio River Greenway section at Silver Creek. I came home to discover a K & I Bridge update from Jackie Green's group (slow and incremental progress on that front), including this terrific and comprehensive statement about what's happening, written by Al Goodman, the founding father of the Loop Island wetlands. 

Trouble is, I don't know the fellow's name. Hope you're reading, wherever you are.

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The following on the trestle bridge across Silver Creek is from Al Goodman, P.E., President A. W. Goodman & Associates, Inc., owner of Loop Island Wetlands ...

The bridge across Silver Creek: This is a 247 foot long steel trestle bridge with three spans. It is 55 ft above the bottom of Silver Creek. It is a replacement bridge for the two tracks that originally crossed Silver Creek on the same stone piers. It has some unique construction features since it is actually setting on lots of small railroad rail sections on the concrete capped stone piers. I believe it was reconstructed in 1921 and consists of about 214,000 pounds of steel. It was owned by several railroads, including the Jeffersonville, Madison, Indianapolis RR, and the Pennsylvania RR.

The Greenway original plan was to build a new pedestrian and VEHICLE bridge across the mouth of Silver Creek at the Ohio River. This would cost at least $5 - $10 million, however after years of discussion and debate it is currently in the plan for the Ohio River Greenway to cross this RR bridge. The western approach of the Greenway was finally constructed last year and completed to within 75 ft of the bridge. I granted a permanent easement for the Greenway through the Loop Island Wetland property, with the remaining connecting segment constructed on the floodwall easement. This is a 12 ft wide asphalt/concrete Greenway, however the in-ground lighting isn’t turned on yet. This was constructed as I didn’t want elevated lights to disrupt the wildlife in the Loop Island Wetlands, and the Corp of Engineers agreed to specify/install these special lights. These are lights like used on runways that light the pathway, but not the neighboring areas. There is an access through the concrete floodwall (old RR opening) just east of the intersection of Silver St. and Main St. in New Albany (behind my old office building on the tannery property). I also granted a 35 ft wide permanent easement for public access to the Loop Island Wetlands from Silver & Main Sts. (Currently just drive around the trucks and/or gate that the owner of Scratch-N-Dent and Tiger Trucking periodically places in the route to the wetlands entrance.)

The Town of Clarksville is preparing to complete retrofitting this bridge and Greenway from the existing termination across Silver Creek, through the junkyards and connect to Emory Crossing road. This will allow biking/walking the entire 7.1 miles on the Indiana side of the river as this is the last remaining section that is not passable. The bridge currently has only railroad ties on it with 8” gaps in between the ties and no railings. An old school bus was placed across the “track” by the junkyard to keep people from walking across and through their property.

Clarksville has been working with consultants to evaluate this RR bridge since IN Dept of Transportation (INDOT) match money will be used for the Greenway construction. INDOT has substantial requirements for types of construction or retrofits and therefore required a structural analyses which Clarksville has had completed for the bridge. It does need repairs, however the steel repairs are very minor since it was last used in mid-1980’s for trains. It is very heavy steel construction with only a few small braces needing replacement. The problem is two stone piers with one on each of the Silver Creek banks. These stones are somewhat loose and the consultants have presented Clarksville with 3 options for repair or replacement. When I last talked with them several weeks ago, Clarksville is determining what to do next. They have also completed an archaeological survey that was also required by INDOT. According to Brian Kaluzny at Clarksville (Parks Dept), construction probably won’t be bid for the RR section until 2014.

Currently with the Greenway terminating 75 ft from Silver Creek, a lot of people are visiting the 47 acre Loop Island Wetlands that most people don’t realize is an asset to the region. There are about a mile of pathways around the 17 acre free-water pond that was an original bend in Silver Creek. I could go on a lot about this area (including the Henry Clay-Humphrey Marshall duel that was fought in these “Dueling Grounds”, native American uses, survey by William Clark in 1785, etc. The other 5 acre pond was unfortunately drained when the berm washed out into Silver Creek 3 years ago. Funds have not been available to repair this washout and restore this pond/wetland area.

Perhaps it should also be stated, I’m nearing closing a deal to sell these wetlands as part of the old tannery property. The developer will convert the 3-story tannery building into senior apartments within this year, if the deal goes through. That’s an incredibly long story, but the intended new owner has stated he will donate the wetlands to the City. The City or the Greenway already has the easements for public access to the RR bridge, but I still own the bridge, until this deal goes through.

Hope this information helps clarify the status. I have hundreds of photos of this area, the bridge and can do a presentation on this area if desired.

Ohio River Greenway in the Loop Island Wetlands.

A short while back, I took a walk on the newest Ohio River Greenway section, and provided photos here:

Greenway, 18th St. to Loop Island: Part One.

Greenway, 18th St. to Loop Island: Part Two.

Because I had started my walk at 18th Street and doubled back the way I came, I failed to notice that the path was paved into the Loop Island Wetlands, with the pavement ending at the old railway trestle across Silver Creek.

On Sunday, the Confidentials went for a walk, this time choosing to approach from the front of the old Moser Tannery. The squalor pictured above is on the front side of this section of the pathway, and the equally depressing vista below (last photo) on the other side of the trestle.



Here's a final view, looking back at the trestle from a vantage point nearer the river.

The Greenway is supposed to run right through the junkyard to reach a junction with Emory Crossing Road and the linkage with Clarksville. Seeing as that whole area resembles a Superfund site, it should be interesting to see how the final square is circled.

Greenway, 18th St. to Loop Island: Part Two.

As it reaches the rear of the old Moser Tannery, with the Loop Island wetlands to the right, the asphalt atop the levee yields again to concrete and a gentle descent to the base of the final section of cement floodwall. The path follows the floodwall to its end, coinciding with the entry portal to the wetlands at the rear of the Moser Tannery property. From this point, it only a hundred or so yards to the old railway trestle across Silver Creek, and a very short way through junkyards, dumps and quarries to Emery Crossing Road on the Clarksville side.

Greenway, 18th St. to Loop Island: Part One.

On a drop dead gorgeous autumn Sunday, I walked from my house to the Riverfront Amphitheater, then all the way to Loop Island wetlands via the Ohio River Greenway's alternating finished/unfinished sections. The newest length from 18th Street to the wetlands is shown in these photos, but first there's a map and a view of the K & I Bridge. Part Two follows.

A vision from the archives.

While reading about Clarksville finally taking steps to stem dumping on the riverfront, I was reminded that in the early days of the national stimulus program, the State of Indiana compiled a document listing every project and idea pitched for potential funding. The brief description below comes directly from that document, with an image taken from a Purdue University presentation, concerning a potential new development along the Ohio River near New Albany's Loop Island.

The estimated cost - $459,060,000 - seems like a lot at first glance. For perspective, however, consider that the cost estimate for just the additional downtown bridge and accompanying Indiana approach portions of the Ohio River Bridges Project, which will further devalue the whole area and counteract preexisting investments in the Ohio River Greenway and connected downtowns, is $865,400,000, not including any work toward a twenty-three lane Spaghetti Junction which is estimated at over $1.7 billion all by itself.

For roughly half as much money, we could indeed be a global model of sustainable development rather than an overpriced, under thought anachronism. And even though both Kentucky and Indiana have worked to suppress public will by creating an appointed tolling authority with no accountability to citizens at the behest of an international financial firm, that choice is still ours.

Building a New and Renovated Sustainable Community: To provide a global model for sustainable and environmentally supportive development. Earth-Solar in partnership with the Global Design Studio, Purdue School of Architectural Technology has designed and proposes to build and operate a new community which is comprised of, jointly, 52 acres in New Albany, Indiana and 150 acres in Clarksville, Indiana. New Albany and Clarksville are contiguous, however, in the two separate counties Floyd and Clark, respectively.

This project is compelling because it integrates work, entertainment and residency within a community that is planned around the equalization of conventional transportation, pedestrian walking, bicycling and low impact personal transportation vehicles and public transportation. The Project will be the first community scale urban development in the United States which is offering its entire residential and commercial population a significant platform of solar renewable energy and chemical and waste treatment technologies utilizing biomimmicry, non-toxic and natural techniques which continuously replenish the health of the natural ecosystem.

The Project overlays 21st Century contemporary design by architects from around the world onto building design which is traditional to the New Albany-Clarksville-Greater Louisville region. The Company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the mayor of New Albany and agreements in principle with both the directors of Clarksville City Planning and Historical Preservation for both cities to support the project with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and extensive additional official support. Clarksville is proposing to develop a 50 acre national park in honor of the explorers, Lewis and Clark. This proposed national park will form the eastern border of Loop Island Cove, the southern border of Clarksville Park, and would be a national attraction for purposes of recreation, science, and history.

Great news about a great woods: The Dr. Sherman A. Minton, Jr. Nature Preserve.

Save a pre-meeting article by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener I haven't seen much ink devoted to it, but the Indiana Natural Resources Commission voted at their May gathering to dedicate approximately 1,300 acres just west of New Albany as the Dr. Sherman A. Minton, Jr. Nature Preserve.

The land is "generally north of Blunk Knob Road, west of Budd Road and east of Ind. 11" and described by the Department of Natural Resources as “a dramatically dissected complex of steep forested hills and mesic ravines" that serves as home to several endangered species including bobcats, gray bats, and various types of warblers. A drive up Blunk Knob Road, which shoots straight uphill from the point at which Budd Road and Five Mile Lane converge, proved the description apt and has me eager for further exploration.

In an email response, Lee Casebere of the Division of Nature Preserves said, "The DNR has owned this property in Floyd County for several years. The recent action by the Natural Resource Commission was to designate it as a 'dedicated' nature preserve. That action establishes a permanent, restrictive easement on the land so that it may be used for no other purpose except as a nature preserve on into the future. Dr. Minton was a well-known herpetologist, and the property has a diverse representation of reptiles and amphibians. Naming the site for him was 'a natural' since he grew up in New Albany."

"The property is open to the public, but there are no parking areas or trails, therefore access is not good. We hope to provide better access in the future, but it could be quite some time before that happens."

With such a tremendous, seemingly pristine resource to the near west and the Loop Island Wetlands on our eastern border, we're reminded that adaptive reuse of the urban core is about much more than the spaces bounded by concrete and bricks.

The Highwayman sez: "The (Greenway) bridge issues over both Silver Creek and the Ohio River ... closer to being resolved sensibly."

I'm really glad that Lloyd reminded me of his Friday posting, because I couldn't attend last Thursday's workshop on Greenway progress. Here is the Highwayman's report on the session:

A 6 p.m. workshop update on New Albany's Greenway project was held prior to the regular council gathering last evening and there was good news to report. The bridge issues over both Silver Creek and the Ohio River seem to be closer to being resolved sensibly.

The current plan is to use the abandoned railroad bridge at the Loop Island trail to connect us to Clarksville and postpone the idea of a vehicular bridge over Silver Creek for now. It appears that common sense finally floated to the surface.

It was also reported that the K & I Bridge connection is getting ever closer to a reality as well. All of that is still a year plus into the future but at least the conversation is more in the "gonna happen" sphere. One can only hope it stays that way ...

We expect retired dual councilpersons Schmidt & Schmidt to readying their Bics for the certain self-immolation to come, given that senior citizens should not be required to walk 75 yards outside the air-conditioned confines of their cars, and who cares if 40+ acres of wetlands is bulldozed in favor of a bridge, but in any event, for the rest of Lloyd's observations, go here: A Few Notes from the 6-19-08 NA Council Meeting.