About Our City

What’s happening in our City?

NEW DAY….
It’s was the dawn of a new era.  A major transformation started with the city becoming a second class city effective January 1, 2012.  The city now has a corporation counsel, controller and the former clerk- treasurer position became clerk.  Council meetings no longer are under the direction of and run by the Mayor.  Now council meetings are led by the Council’s President.  The Mayor is no longer responsible for the ordinances and other items that appeared on the agenda.  Now the Council President approves the agenda before it is sent out to council.  Every item on the agenda must be sponsored by at least one council person. i have been the Council Vice President since January 1, 2021.

January 1^st,  2012, was also the day Mark Myers armed with a few new faces began the difficult task of capturing the runaway spending and getting the city back on track.  The city had become stagnant but more critical, was quickly spending down savings.  The Mayor’s new team was well educated and ready to roll up their sleeves and begin the difficult task of turning things around.   The 2012 budget was reviewed.   Department Heads were asked to find places to could make major cuts.   Soon the Director of Operations position was transformed to a Deputy Mayor.  Our Deputy Mayor, Corporate Counsel, Controller and department Directors have led the way in thinking outside the box, finding ways and resources to accomplish more without impacting our financial stability.  We have become a leader in the State with our financial reporting and for over five years we have received “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Report”.  City employees are vibrant participants and very much responsible for many of the accomplished successes. The runaway train has safely been captured and is now traveling a much more stable route.

The Tax Rate reduced from $0.6609 to $0.6573 in 2019. Our 2022 rate was $0.6533 and the rate for 2023 is holding steady at $0.6533.

However, as you know there is much growth and progress taking place.

MAYOR’S 2015 STATE OF THE CITY

In the Mayor’s State of the City on February 10^th, 2015.  MAYOR’S 2015 STATE OF THE CITY, Mayor Myers announced:  Our sanitary sewer utility is solvent and compliant with state and federal environmental laws.  Our storm water control is now managed by a new storm water utility which is compliant with state and federal environmental laws and OUR BUDGET IS BALANCED……GREENWOOD COLLECTS MORE EACH YEAR THAN IT SPENDS!

There are many special events and projects happening in the city every year….here are just few highlights of projects I have supported and insight as to how I am engaged in our community.

CITY CENTER TOWER

Our new City Center opened in April 2014.  The City Center Tower was totally renovated and is a great example of how the administration and Council has worked together over the past several years in changing how we do business.

In 2014, it was forecast our new City Center would save our taxpayers $120,000 per year as a result of relocating the majority of our city employees under one roof.  The total benefit to taxpayers in 2018 was $270,375.  Moving our city offices to the City Center also provided an anchor and kick-started interest in Old Town.

According to our city controller and based on current rates for renting commercial space, we are likely ahead of the $120,000 per year projections.  Several of our departments have experienced growth since moving into City Center.  If the rental space didn’t have capacity, then we would have needed to rent even more space.  The City Center purchase was a very well thought out investment!

EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

Almost as great of an investment was the opening of our Health Clinic on the first floor of City Center.  The Clinic opened in June 2014, is operated by Franciscan for a cost of $75 per employee enrolled in the insurance.  The Clinic is open 3 days a week.  The Clinic is available to any employee or dependent covered on our insurance plan.  The city was happy to provide this to make it easier not only for employees to seek medical assistance but also to make it more convenient to get children out of school for medical needs without having to lose a half day of work.  The Clinic is open Mon, Tuesday & Friday from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m.

STREETS IN DISTRICT 1

Several streets in District 1 have been rebuilt from the roadbed all the way up. Pearl Street had a total makeover including their sewers, sidewalks and storm water collection. Camby & Horton have benefited from these makeovers. New homes along Brewer Place, Fairview North Drive and Fairview East Drive are received new curbs, under-drains and a new road surface in 2018. Residents have a new pride in their neighborhood and property values increase when streets are redone.

Often times, individuals or Homeowner Associations (HOA) will call the city regarding streets in their neighborhood.  They want their street added to the list of streets to be repaved.  Our city has a listing of how each street in the city is rated in their current condition.  Sometimes these lists have been updated and there have been situations when something will have happened that moves a street up on the list.

In 2022, District 1 was fortunate to have Pearl Street from Middle Street to Alexander, Patterson Street from Pearl to Main Street, Broadway from Middle Street to just beyond Alexander, Funkboner Ct, Hawk Ct and Christy Drive from Charles Lee Ct to just east of Sherman Drive all redone.

The following streets in District 1 are scheduled for bid in 2023:  Forest Park neighborhood, Alexander from Pearl to Broadway, Sheek Road from Main Street to Grassy Creek.

CROSS WALK ADJACENT TO – MRS CURL’S

The addition of a cross walk has improved the safety of families crossing the street from the trail at old city park, to the trail leading to the amphitheater and Craig Park. ……this was a suggestion that I brought before the city.

OLD CITY PARK

Old City Park has undergone a dramatic transformation thanks to the imagination and determination of our city leaders and planners.  The centerpiece features a 20-foot cube tower……the first of its kind in our state and only one of three in the country. Other features include pipe slides, spinners, a climbing wall and even a net for the younger challengers plus porch type swings for us older folks.  A major promenade is adjacent to Pleasant Creek.

MADISON AVENUE STREETSCAPE

Also in 2018, phase one of the Madison Avenue redevelopment from Pearl Street to Noble Street was completed.  The update included wide trails for pedestrians/cyclists to share, brick crosswalks and a pedestrian signal at Euclid Avenue. Recently the Madison Ave streetscape expanded north from Noble Street to Fry Road (where a center turn lane is present).

E-COMMERCE EXCHANGE ZONE

SCHOOL ZONE FLASHERS AND SECURITY

In late 2017, I had conversations with teachers in Perry Township regarding the new flashers that had been installed adjacent to each of the school properties.  These flashers quickly alert drivers they are nearing a school zone and are flashing only when children are present in the area.  Often times drivers overlook the “School Zone” signage, and their speed exceeds the 25 MPH limit.  Issues related to school zones and school buses are a major safety concern.  We need to do everything possible to keep our children safe.

I learned the flashers were available through a grant and quickly contacted our Deputy Mayor, Terry McLaughlin with the thought of us applying for these new flashers to alert drivers in our community.  We were expecting these to be installed prior to the start of the 2019 year’s school year. However, State funding has been delayed and installation was finally completed in the fall of 2022. The total price of the project was $588,716.00 and it was a 90/10 split.   The total amount the city spent was $251,255.

SCHOOL SECURITY

School Security has been at the focus of attention as there continues to be shootings in various cities throughout the United States.  Last fall, our mayor met with the school administrations of, Center Grove, Clark Pleasant and Greenwood schools to propose our city appropriating $1,000,000.00 to be divided evenly among the three-school system to be used for equipment or other items in hopes of creating a more secure atmosphere for our students.  Soon afterwards money was also allotted to Central Nine.

DEFLECTIVE LIGHTING RESIDENTIAL VS. COMMERCIAL

I am hopeful we will include guidelines requiring deflectors on outside lighting of Commercial buildings….especially those that are adjacent to residential housing.  It’s our responsibility as a city to protect the investment of homeowners.

MEMORIAL TO HONOR VETERANS, POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMT’s

Private Project, Another great addition joining Surina Way at Meridian Street will be the home of a memorial honoring our veterans, police, firefighters and EMT’s.  A rendition is nearing completion. Our committee announced the creation of the memorial a few years ago. Our fund-raising efforts are going well. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS NOT A CITY PROJECT IT IS STILL VERY CLOSE AND DEAR TO MY HEART! For additional information email pcs@wilsonstpeirre.com

OTHER PROJECTS I HAVE SUPPORTED

INFORMATION PROVIDED FROM THIS POINT FORWARD INCLUDES ADDITIONAL FACTS REGARDING THE ABOVE LISTED PROJECTS

• Western Regional Interceptor
• Purchase of City Center Tower
• I 65 Exit @ Worthsville Road
• Freedom Park
• Freedom Springs Water Park
• Free Leaf & Limb Curbside Pickup
• Free Mulch Pickup @ Station 92
• Middle School Acquisition
• Indy South Greenwood Airport Runway Expansion
• Downtown Façade Revitalization
• Employee Health Center
• Old City Park Revitalization
• City Center Splash Pad
• SportsPlex at I 65 & Worthsville Road
• Fieldhouse
• The Madison
• City Parking Garage
• New Facility for Department of Public Works
• School Zone Flashers & Signage
• New Fire Stations 93, 94 & 95
• G.R.O.W. Initiative & Sign Initative
• Surina Way Expansion
• Our Lady of the Greenwood Partnership
• Greenwood Amphitheater
• No Solicit Ordinance
• Nuisance Ordinance
• Demo of Buildings at County Line & Madison
• Indy South Greenwood Airport Taxi Rehap
• Aeronautical Center of Technology @ Airport
• Roundabouts
• Community Center – Kids City Rehab
• Storm Water Utility Creation & Projects
• Wayfinding Signage
• Update of Greenwood Zoning & Codes
• Visit Indy
• Stop Light at Woodman Blvd & Smith Valley
• Traffic Signal @ Main & Graham Road

G.R.O.W. PROGRAM

Also in 2018, the G.R.O.W. (Granting Revitalization and Opportunity for their Workplace) program was created to assist local businesses (not located within the façade program area) along Madison Avenue and Main Street in updating, to restoring and enhancing their building/property.  The enhancements are continuing to help reestablish the popularity of Old Town.

G.R.O.W. offers businesses matching funds (for projects that are a minimum of $20,000 up to $100,000) to restore, upgrade and enhance their exteriors.  Eligible projects include facades, signage, art installations, landscaping, green infrastructure, lighting, decorative fencing and other exterior improvements.

Click here for eligible areas, eligible improvements, exclusions, applicant requirements and the awards process.

G.R.O.W SIGN INITIATIVE

The Greenwood Economic Development Commission (EDC) has made matching funds available, up to $2,500.00, to restore, upgrade and enhance business signs, and sign lighting.  To be considered for the grant, a minimum private investment must be no less than $1,000.00.

Click here for eligible areas, eligible improvements, exclusions, applicant requirements and the awards process.

Click here if you have questions about G.R.O.W.

VISIT INDY

Many of the boards found ways to do their part in helping the city realize major accomplishments such as Economic Development Commission (EDC) funding for Visit Indy.  This relatively simple process has directly provided us many of the same benefits we would derive from having a Visitors Bureau within our own city.   Redevelopment Commission (RDC) has assisted with partial funding for many projects throughout our city.

DOWNTOWN FACADE PROJECT & MIDDLE SCHOOL ACQUISITION

The mayor and administration have been working in particular with the City Council and Board of Works but also all the other commissions and boards within the city to restore the spirit and excitement.

 

The downtown façade project was yet another element towards revitalizing the downtown business district. The demolition of the former middle school property had the potential of helping us not only expand “quality of life” amenities within our city but provided us an opportunity to create business and residential growth. Only the north gymnasium has survived the wrecking ball and was converted into a new downtown fieldhouse serving as an anchor for the redevelopment project. This is another gem quickly transitioned into yet another valuable asset for our Park’s Department.

SURINA WAY EXTENSION

In 2018, Surina Way was extended from Craig Park to Market Plaza. The parking lot adjacent to Surina Way at the library was totally redesigned.  Permeable pavers are sustainable materials that help handle the movement of storm water through the ground surface reducing the amount of runoff. The pavers look nice and contrasting pavers are used to make the parking spaces which alleviates the need for costly lane striping.

OUR LADY OF GREENWOOD PARTNERSHIP

An additional 150 parking spaces are at the corner of Surina Way and Meridian Street. These parking spaces replaced a portion of the parking used by the Our Lady at the former middle school property. These spaces will be convenient for those visiting the memorial plus expanding our parking for major events such as the Freedom Festival and Our Lady’s Strawberry Festival.

GREENWOOD AMPHITHEATER

Concert at the Amphitheater

The Park Department coordinates the Amphitheater Summer Park Series early June through mid-August at 7:00 p.m.  The series is free to the public with a different band each Saturday night. 
A new trail was created from Meridian Street to Amphitheater where we all enjoy the Summer Concert Series and Movies in the Park.

NO SOLICIT ORDINANCE & FREE STICKER

Greenwood has taken a stronger stance regarding door to door soliciting within our city limits. You can now obtain a sticker to prominently display “No Solicitation Sign” on or nearby your door. These are available at City Center, Chamber of Commerce, Community Center, Library, Fire Headquarters, Justice Center or The Social of Greenwood. The Sticker states a maximum fine of $2500 per offense.

DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS NE CORNER OF MADISON AVE & COUNTY LINE

For several years the buildings at the northeast corner of Madison Avenue and County Line Road had been in very poor condition. The parking lot was riddled with chuckholes and the owner had no desire to repair either the buildings or parking lot due to the proximity of the flood area. Residents in the area had been extremely unhappy with the appearance and lack of improvement taking place. In 2018, the city purchased the property and had the buildings demolished. It is thought this may be a greenspace area and has the potential for part of the space to be developed into a park. It pleasing to see the green grass even though there is nothing more there for the time being. The city hopes to get input from residents as to how they would like to see the property developed.

WESTERN REGIONAL INTERCEPTOR

The planning for this project started after the Compliance Agreement with IDEM was signed in 2012.  The design, engineering and right-of-way acquisitions took nearly 6 years to finish.  The actual construction began near the end of 2018 and has cost just over $56 million so far.   There is a small amount of restoration work left.  The overall cost has been about $3,500,000 less than the preconstruction estimated cost. 

This has been a major ongoing project. The Interceptor will alleviate our already burdened and sometimes failing sewer system. Our capacity was capped out long ago on the west side of our city. Our first phase had a healthy price tag of $24.7 million. The Interceptor will allow for future growth and development and it’s a great relief to our Pleasant Run Interceptor.

GREENWOOD STREET DEPARTMENT

Snow Plows

We are always proud of the great work accomplished by our Street Department. Not only do they make life easier for those with disabilities by doing American with Disabilities Act (ADA) expansions at intersections, but small paving jobs save us the expense of using major contractors. Best of all is our snow removal. It’s amazing how quickly they turn snow covered slick streets into dry payment making our commutes much less stressful. It’s easy to see a major difference in the roadway such as US 31 or County Line Road that are maintained and cleared by other entities.

INDY SOUTH GREENWOOD AIRPORT

In 2012, I was appointed by the Council to be their liaison to the Airport. The financial health of our airport is improving and is now self-supporting. Our airport staff is talented and experienced. The staff is service oriented and frequently receives accolades from both pilots and passengers. The traffic at the airport continues to grow and additional corporate type hangers have been built. We continue to see great improvements with the overall goal to lead the way towards a more vibrant destination. Averaging over 35,000 landings per year. Our ongoing goal is to continue luring more corporate jet traffic leading to increased fuel sales and potential for additional corporate hangers.

Several local pilots fly patients to destinations for medical treatment…..donating their time and fuel. The airport also host scouts participating in Young Eagles program. Each of the programs usually has 200 or more scouts participating in aviation related programs climaxed by a free flight. Airport Day has been expanded to include Young Eagle Flights. Again it’s our local pilots that fly these youngsters….again donating their time and fuel. Just PLANE Fun is a wonderful family night at the airport. Families arrive for a free movie as the main hanger is converted into a giant theater.

In early March of 2019, a contract was awarded for a new hanger and office space to be constructed for the Indiana State Police to hanger their Aviation fleet. Last year, the State Police moved their fleet to the airport and we are all thrilled to have them as part of the airport family.

Wurth is a manufacturer of 3D printers. They occupy one of the new condo hangers at our airport and are just a couple of doors from our Aeronautical Center of Technology.  Their plan is to create a showroom to promote their printers.  By having they showroom at the airport prospective buyers can fly in, talk to Wurth regarding their needs, have lunch locally and fly back out in a minimum amount of time.

The airport recently completed building a row of five condo style hangers on the north end adjacent to County Line Road.  The new Aeronautical Technology Center (ACT) has recently been created and is located in the east end of these condo.  ACT is working with local high schools to encourage students to pursue aviation related careers. In 2021, I was appointed to the ACT Board of Directors.

The ACT program wants to expand their training to include a flight simulator.   A GoFundMe account has been set up by members of the local EAA chapter.   This simulator will not only offer hands-on training for the ACT students but will also be of value to pilots satisfying annual requirements in order to keep their certifications.  Several companies have expressed interest in using the simulator for pilots in their company.  At this point, $2,000 has already been donated and another $6000.00 is needed in order to make the view look as realistic as possible.

ROUNDABOUTS

Overall the roundabouts have helped to create smoother traffic flow in each of these areas.

GREENWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT

Effective January 1, 2019, our fire department has a Class 2 rating from the Insurance Services Offices (ISO). ISO is an independent agency that evaluates the Fire Department. Our former rating was Class 4. Our residential and business community should see a decrease in insurance premiums at renewal time.

Our fire department is currently the largest fire department in Indiana that isn’t a full-time paid department.  However, as of March 6^th we will be a fully staffed career fire department.  Now, instead of terminating our part time members, we will still have approximately 9 part time firefighters we will allow to fill in when our career members are off on PTO.  Our part time firefighters are/were a blessing, but the downside is that we often lost them to another department that offered them a FULL TIME PAID POSITION.

A new location for Station 93 has been selected on Cutsinger Road near Freedom Springs. Forty acres was purchased in 2018 with a portion of the land being used to relocate Station 93 and the remaining acreage will allow for more features at Freedom Park.

The staff at Station 91 also spent countless hours of time clearing out the brush along the creek bed behind 91. A destination play pocket has been erected featuring fire themed equipment.

JUSTICE CENTER

The police, courts and clerk’s offices all relocated to the former middle school for nearly a year while the former police headquarters underwent a major renovation. We no longer have the portable units behind the police station and our probation employees are in a much safer environment.

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

We have recently seen improvements to the area adjacent to Madison Avenue by the Greenwood Park Mall. The Storm Water employees have spent considerable time creating a nature park at the property on Washington Street. This nature park is open to the public and has frequent events helping our community to learn more about the importance of having a storm water department. Be sure to go to Greenwood.in.gov and check out the information our Storm Water Department is sharing about how each of us can have an impact on our environment.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW)

Our city recently moved into the new DPW building adjacent to the existing DPW facility.  This new facility will allow us to move equipment into the old building, as well as expanded storage in the new building.  This can add two or more years of useful life by having our equipment under roof plus eliminates the clutter outside the facility.  Additionally, it expanded the size of our maintenance bays to better service our larger pieces of equipment. 

The DPW expansion can be seen looking north as you cross the bridge over the railroad tracks on the Smith Valley Road Bypass.  It looks gigantic but the savings of not replacing equipment so quickly allows us to use those dollars on other equipment that will extend our inhouse services. ALL THIS WAS PAID FOR BY OUR CITY WITH CASH ON HAND….NO DEPT WAS INCURRED!

PARKS DEPARTMENT – COMMUNITY CENTER

Kid City is a multi-million dollar reimagination area at the Community Center. A Lucky Climber, three-dimensional climbing sculpture converted the former stairway into a fun climbing experience. With two different entrances, kids can race to the top or try to complete the entire loop. At the very top of the Lucky Climber, kids will be able to see every inch of Kid City. The two-story space is a year-round indoor play zone for children, with STEM-focused activity incorporating educational themes, art, science and music. Kid City received over 122,000 visitors last year. Also worth mentioning is the new wrap on several of the park’s vehicles!

Freedom Springs encountered major concerns and push back by naysayers that thought we were building a facility much larger than needed by our community and was destined to lose money….however, it has exceeded expectations, operated in the black from day one and welcomed over 108,000 visitors in 2018. Our Parks staff continues to be proactive in order to keep the water park popular. In 2018, the addition of a new drop slide helped to enjoy the third consecutive year of record attendance. Just as impressive, membership increased more than 65 percent surpassing 2,200 in 2018. Can you believe Freedom Springs exceeded $1 million in annual revenue in 2018? In 2023 110,000 visitors came. Now that’s impressive!

WASTE MANAGEMENT

As a result of our community participating in curbside recycling, we have reduced the amount of trash being taken to the landfill. Which in essence……helps us to keep our sanitation fees lower. Our annual curbside recycling pickup up 1,983.19 tons in 2017 and 2,167.25 tons in 2018….an increase of 184.06 tons or 9%. In 2022 recycling tonnage was 2026.55 tons. REMEMBER LAST FULL WEEK OF MONTH HEAVY TRASH PICKUP

AMAZON RECEIVEABLES CENTER

We were fortunate to have Amazon give Greenwood “nod” as the location for their new $80 million investment. This operations hub is 600,000 square-foot. Incoming items being sold on Amazon are shipped to this site to be packaged and then distributed to more than 100 fulfillment centers. This is a huge project of 1,250 full time jobs. Once an employee has reached their one-year anniversary the company will prepay 95 percent of that employee’s college tuition for in-demand classes and certifications. In 2016, Amazon committed to hiring 25,000 additional veterans and military spouses. That overall commitment had not been met as of September 2018.

PITNEY BOWES

Pitney Bowes opened a new 450,000 square-foot fulfillment center in 2018. They project hiring up to 300 employees.

WAYFINDING SIGNS

Greenwood has a new logo on all of our city vehicles plus we have invested in adding “wayfinding signage to major sites throughout our city. The new template for signage is fresh and distinctive.

UPDATING GREENWOOD’S ZONING CODES

Our Community Development Services team has completed an update of all of zoning codes. This should help us protect residential areas if commercial development takes place immediately adjacent to neighborhoods. This will also allow us to create areas where residential can exist above commercial [which is presently restricted].

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS

The city recently invited all the Homeowners Associations (HOA) to meet at the City Center.  The goal was to get better communication between the HOAs and the city.  The next scheduled meeting is April 25^th.  There will be a variety of topics covered at these meetings.  The HOAs are hopeful to have an opportunity for the various HOAs to discuss problems they are having in their development and perhaps get insight as to how other HOAs might be handling the same situation.

Other major projects that have taken place during the current administration:

• Western Regional Interceptor
• Purchase of City Center Tower
• I 65 Exit @ Worthsville Road
• Freedom Park
• Freedom Springs Water Park
• Free Leaf & Limb Curbside Pickup
• Free Mulch Pickup @ Station 92
• Middle School Acquisition
• Indy South Greenwood Airport Runway Expansion
• Downtown Façade Revitalization
• Employee Health Center
• Old City Park Revitalization
• City Center Splash Pad
• SportsPlex at I 65 & Worthsville Road
• Fieldhouse
• The Madison
• City Parking Garage
• New Facility for Department of Public Works
• School Zone Flashers & Signage
• New Fire Stations 93, 94 & 95
• G.R.O.W. Initiative & Sign Initative
• Surina Way Expansion
• Our Lady of the Greenwood Partnership
• Greenwood Amphitheater
• No Solicit Ordinance
• Nuisance Ordinance
• Demo of Buildings at County Line & Madison
• Indy South Greenwood Airport Taxi Rehab
• Aeronautical Center of Technology @ Airport
• Roundabouts
• Community Center – Kids City Rehab
• Storm Water Utility Creation & Projects
• Wayfinding Signage
• Update of Greenwood Zoning & Codes
• Visit Indy
• top Light at Woodman Blvd & Smith Valley
• Traffic Signal @ Main & Graham Road

INTEGRITY MATTERS even when it may not be the politically correct thing to do!

Proudly Paid for by The Committee to Re-Elect Linda Gibson