By Taylor Wooten | [email protected]
Despite the lingering impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers says the city has a lot to be proud of.
The City of Greenwood boasts a low tax rate, several completed and in-the-works projects and a new, 40-acre sports complex to be constructed on the city’s southeast side.
Myers opened his 10th State of the City address on Thursday by reflecting on the city’s hardships during the pandemic, which started in March 2020, then lifted up the crowd with a surprise announcement.
“I last gave this speech on Feb. 6, 2020. Greenwood’s economy was humming. We were experiencing a period of sustained success and an even brighter future ahead,” Myers told the crowd gathered at The Nest Event Center. “Who would have thought that less than two months later, COVID-19 would become a national emergency.”
The pain Greenwood citizens faced due to the pandemic is indescribable, and the city has worked hard to get back to normal, he said.
“Our city is emerging even stronger than it was before,” Myers said.
The city’s strategic plan is divided into five parts, one being quality of life. A new planned development and two nearly completed projects are intended to improve it.
An area of land near the Interstate 65 and Worthsville Road interchange will become home to an expansive sports complex that will include four softball diamonds, four baseball diamonds and a multi-use playing field. It will also include the city’s second splash pad, and add to Greenwood’s inventory of inclusive playground equipment, according to designs for the project.
The complex will provide a place for traveling sports teams and their families, Myers said.
The price tag on the complex isn’t final, but the city expects to keep it under $10 million, said Greg Wright, the city’s controller. The city plans to use tax-increment financing (TIF) dollars and park impact fees to pay for part of the project, and will apply for state and federal grants, he said.
The re-imagined Old City Park, a project that was announced during last year’s State of the City address, is complete.
Down the road, the fieldhouse, which was saved from the former Greenwood Middle School that was torn down in 2019, will be used for a variety of sports and include the city’s first indoor turf field.
The $83 million redevelopment of the former middle school property — a project Myers called the most exciting of his tenure — is underway. It is being funded through a public-private partnership.
“The smart money is on Greenwood,” Myers said.
The project will bring townhomes, condos and apartments to diversify housing options in downtown Greenwood. It will also include a much-needed parking garage and commercial spaces for restaurants and retail. The return on investment will be seen through an expected $1 million in annual tax revenue as a result of the development, he said.
Financially, Myers said Greenwood fared better than most cities as they continued doing business throughout the pandemic. He cited the Milwaukee Tool deal as one of the year’s top accomplishments.
The city’s financial outlook has improved drastically since Myers became mayor in 2012, he said.
“Less than a decade ago, our financial prognosis was grim,” Myers said. “Today, Greenwood’s fiscal position is the envy of many municipalities across Indiana with a balanced budget, cash reserves and an excellent credit rating.”
Greenwood has the lowest tax rate among Indiana cities with a population of 50,000 or greater, according to a news release.
Triumphs of the city’s police and fire departments were also highlighted during the mayor’s address.
At one point, several firefighters and nearly a third of the police force were infected with COVID-19. The departments managed to cover shifts and maintain stations despite the roadblocks, Myers said.
Also, in response to civil unrest stemming from George Floyd’s death, the police department responded to a threat of rioting in Greenwood, specifically at the Greenwood Park Mall. In collaboration with several other departments and Simon Property Group, the threats were addressed and no riots occurred in Greenwood, he said.
“We also recognize the importance of the current conversations about policing and the need to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the citizens that they bravely protect and serve,” Myers said.
A comprehensive examination and overhaul of the police department’s policies is expected to conclude later this year.
The department launched new technology that displays the time and location of crimes based on reports, and is able to predict when and where future crimes may occur, which was made possible with a U.S. Department of Justice grant.
The department delayed hiring during the pandemic, and is expected to add eight new officers this year.
At the Greenwood Fire Department, six new firefighters were added in 2020, and the department plans to add 12 more.
The fire department opened a new facility to replace a decaying one in July 2020, located on W. Cutsinger Road.
The past year was a big one for infrastructure across the board. The street department leveled 367 sidewalks and installed several new handicap ramps throughout the city. An expansion of Worthsville Road to create a major east-west corridor is ongoing, which construction starting again last week.
Myers is optimistic about the coming year.
“It’s year 10, folks. Let’s get to work,” he said.
