Greenwood experienced its fair share of highs and lows in 2019. A lot of long-planned projects came to fruition, the city made economic development, infrastructure, public safety and quality of life gains, and the mayor was diagnosed with a progressive nervous system disorder that shocked the community.
Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said during his ninth State of the City address on Thursday he is optimistic and strong, and plans to bounce back, much like the once-crumbling city has done. He also unveiled plans for a new outdoor sports complex on the southeast side, and design plans for the new downtown fieldhouse.
"My immediate thoughts really skewed toward uncertainty and negativity and what’s going to happen," Myers said of his Parkinson’s diagnosis. "Then I thought about Greenwood, the city I love and adore and have called home for most of my life."
Greenwood once received a difficult diagnosis as well, he said. It faced a crumbling infrastructure and long-neglected downtown.Â
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"Some claimed that Greenwood was destined to fail," Myers told the crowd of more than 300 business and community members who gathered Thursday afternoon at The Nest.
"But look at us now. We’re adding jobs. We’re welcoming more visitors. We’re building world-class public amenities. Old Town, which was once slated for demolition, is now revitalized with developers all around the country lining up to invest in the former middle school property."
During his 30-minute speech, Myers looked back at 2019, ahead to this year, and made two surprise announcements.
He shared details about a new 40-acre park near the Interstate 65 and Worthsville Road interchange, a to-be-named outdoor sports complex with several ball diamonds, a multi-use playing field, splash pad and inclusive playground equipment.
The mayor also unveiled for the first time proposed interior designs for the city’s new downtown fieldhouse, a year-around recreational and fitness center for residents. It is being designed a wide range of sports in mind, according to a news release from the city, and will be equipped to host volleyball, futsal, badminton, soccer, baseball, basketball and pickleball, which Myers said has grown significantly in popularity in Greenwood. It will also feature an elevated three-lane track and indoor turf field, an electronic scoreboard and bleachers.
"The fieldhouse will serve as an anchor for redevelopment of the former Greenwood Middle School, a process that Myers says is attracting interest from private developers across the country," the news release said.
Looking back at last year’s successes, the mayor touted financial security, improved infrastructure, and the city’s ability to add more police officers and firefighters.
Other successes included Cummins Inc.’s plans to build an information technology and digital hub on the city’s northeast side. The multi-million dollar investment is expected to bring at least 500 jobs that pay, on average, $100,000 a year.
"That is just the start," Myers said.
The city gave the Columbus-based Fortune 200 company an incentive valued at more than $10 million.
Most of the initial 500 employees are expected to transfer from offices in Columbus and Indianapolis, the company said, but it will include some new jobs as well. The company said it could expand its Greenwood footprint with an eventual 1,500 jobs.
Greenwood had long wanted to recruit a tech employer to the city, and at the same time has struggled to develop key property near the interstate. Several previous plans for the property had fallen through.
At the time, Myers called it the biggest economic development move in the city’s history.
Along the same lines, Myers touted the completion of a new Amazon facility, which was on track to become the largest employer in Johnson County with more than 1,200 jobs.
Myers also touted the city’s progress on its Western Regional Interceptor, a 10-mile stretch in White River Township that will improve overburdened sewers in the rapidly growing area.
But the focus of this year’s State of the City was quality of life, something Greenwood officials decided to focus heavily on in 2019. Officials plan to keep the momentum going into the new year with additions and renovations to existing parks, as well as new ones.
Old City Park’s $5 million renovations are coming along and are expected to be completed this year. Freedom Springs Aquatics Center had a record-breaking year, raking in $300,000 more than its expenses, Myers said. More than 100,000 people visited the pool in 2019, continuing a trend of attendance growth.
A new skate park will replace current structures at Northeast Park, and the community will have a say in what that looks like, Myers said.
This year, city leaders gave the Greenwood Parks and Recreation Department a significant financial boost, growing its staff by nearly 27%, and increasing its overall budget by 15%.
"One of the more remarkable things I’ve seen has been the community’s response to our focus on quality of life. Before 2012, we had no process for citizens to host events in Greenwood," he said.
Last year, more than 60 events were organized. Everything from block parties and neighborhood Easter egg hunts, to outdoor movies, car shows and more.
"It’s an exceptional display of community building, and I couldn’t be more proud," Myers said.
"As mayor, I believe that one of the most important things that I can do is set an example for who we are as a city, as a community, what we believe in most and what we value the most. In Greenwood, we believe in hard work, honesty and never giving up. We value authenticity, fiscal responsibility and providing the best quality of life for our families and for the generations to come."
When Myers’s administration took office in 2012, Myers made several promises, including balancing the city’s budget, rebuilding its infrastructure, making quality of life improvements, and preserving and revitalizing Old Town.
"Folks, we’re seeing it happen right before our eyes," Myers said. "Greenwood is on a roll and it could not be healthier."
He circled back to his recent diagnosis, assuring the folks in the audience he’s healthy, too.
"I’m feeling stronger everyday as well," Myers said.
"(My condition) is very similar to Greenwood and the city’s current condition. We’re agile; we’re flexible; and believe me citizens, we are adding a lot of muscle," he said.
"I’m going to fight like hell because that’s what we do in this city."
