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Council approves village-center development agreement requiring land dedication for street grid
Summary
Council approved a development agreement with New Albany Town Center LLC and Amir Amal Trust that will require the owner to dedicate roughly 40% of nine parcels for new public streets and alleys to create a walkable grid in the historic village center; the city will construct streets and utilities, with roadway work potentially beginning in April 2025.
The New Albany City Council on Dec. 3 approved a development agreement with New Albany Town Center LLC and Amir Amal Trust that lays out land dedication and city commitments to extend the village-center street grid.
City staff explained the unusual arrangement: to create the city's desired street network in the historic village center—extending 2nd and 3rd streets and adding a new east-west alley and a proposed "Ginkgo Street"—the owner will dedicate land necessary for streets and alleys at no cost to the city. In return, the city will construct the public streets, water and sewer infrastructure and make intersection improvements to North High Street; staff said dedication must occur before infrastructure construction begins.
Staff provided a concept character image calling for brick streets, narrow drives, five-foot tree lawns and sidewalks designed to prioritize pedestrians. Staff also walked council through schedule milestones: roadway construction could begin as early as April 2025 and run concurrently with private development, with the full roadway work anticipated in April 2026.
Council members raised concerns about parking and whether a one-lane design for the proposed Ginkgo Street would be sufficient if the road became a connector; staff said the design intentionally prioritizes pedestrian experience and that turning and fire access studies had been completed. Council and staff agreed that parking plans will be reviewed again at the architecture review board and during plat review to ensure adequacy.
After discussion and a public hearing with no speakers, council adopted Resolution R55-20-24 authorizing the development agreement (6-0).
