Economic Development

On July 7th, next Thursday, the 30-day comment period regarding the YMCA/Scribner Place project will come to an end. I strongly urge all who are concerned to contact their respective Council member and make your thoughts and feelings regarding this project known.
I will again state my position as welcoming the YMCA venture to New Albany, and I sincerely hope that it will fulfill the intended role of attracting new businesses to the Downtown area.
However, I oppose the involvement of the City in a venture that falls outside the scope of city services. The proposed investment and involvement of the City is frightening given the long-term commitment it will require. Looking 17 years down the road, it is hard to imagine that things will progress across future administrations as suggested.
There will be 4 elections between now and the time the project is fully paid for. Can we be assured that each new Mayor and their administration will remain dedicated to this arrangement? Furthermore, projecting costs 17 years out is a risky business to say the least. I’m not talking about the costs of the original financing for the construction of the complex. I’m referring to the costs associated with the ongoing maintenance and management of the water-plex.
The City is already having difficulties providing basic city services, such as recycling, which we are paying for even though the City cannot provide the recycling service.
I don’t think I need to re-state all the issues that are facing us now, let alone what may be coming in the near future, but we all know there is enough on our plate to be dealt with.
If the City wants to invest in economic development, perhaps a plan to restore the architectural beauty of some of the old buildings downtown, and helping to subsidize new business ventures for their first year, would entice development. If the upper floors of these grand old building were turned into living spaces, we would have a population downtown that would greatly improve the chances for success for new businesses.
Additionally, folks living downtown would most likely do their shopping on foot, or by bicycling, thus creating a “bustling” atmosphere that could catch the attention of the hundreds or even thousands of cars that pass through New Albany every day on the way to the Caesars Riverboat.
Where would we find these potential residents for downtown living? Especially given the information released in today’s paper regarding new population estimates that show New Albany has lost more than 700 residents since the 2000 census.
Consider the advantage inherent in having a local community college nearby. The City could invest in creating student housing downtown, which would spawn the need for a shuttle service that would not only take students to the University, but could, in turn, bring consumers back downtown.
In summary, using our current circumstances to our advantage in terms of economic growth has a greater potential for success than taking a leap of faith on a swimming pool complex.