The US-62 Interchange Focus Area Plan is an addendum to the City of New Albany’s Strategic Plan, Engage New Albany, adopted in 2020. The plan will provide a contemporary and in-depth set of existing conditions and findings that ultimately inform an updated future land use and thoroughfare plan for the study area.
As regional economic development continues to unfold within and surrounding our community, our major commercial corridors and adjacent residential areas have seen significant growth and development pressure. The US-62 Interchange Focus Area Plan captures one of these dynamic areas and allows for the city to reassess, plan, and provide standards for future growth.
Engagement Process
This plan is broken into multiple phases, each with their own set of public outreach initiatives. The first phase of the engagement process included a Community Workshop held on May 14, 2024, led by city staff and a 21-member Steering Committee. Over 180 residents attended to express their hopes, concerns, and general preferences for future development in the Focus Area. An online public survey was launched in conjunction with the public meeting, receiving a total of 528 survey responses and over 1,400 open-ended comments.
Engagement Themes
Based on the first phase of community engagement, including the first Steering Committee meeting, the first Community Workshop, and survey, the Planning Team summarized the input into five themes. The themes are summarized below:
- Residents desire responsible growth and development in the Focus Area.
- Traffic, congestion, and roadway improvements remain a top priority.
- Residents prefer different kinds of restaurants, services, and retail than what is offered in the Focus Area.
- Pedestrian infrastructure, safety, and connectivity are critical, especially along Central College, Kitzmiller, and Bevelhymer Roads.
- Kitzmiller and Tidewater Parks are potentially catalytic investments to spark a healthier, more active, recreationally oriented district.
