Mayor looks back in State of City, reveals plans for Old Town park

<p>In Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers’s eighth State of the City address, he took a long look back at last year before unveiling a massive parks project that is expected to change the city’s core.</p><p>Myers touted a balanced budget, several completed road projects, a new and improved justice center, public safety advancements, business growth and expansion, including attracting two Fortune 500 companies, record attendance at city events, Indiana State Police’s decision to move its aviation fleet to the city’s airport, being the first in the state to partner with INBiz and the Secretary of State’s Office and public works advancements among his administration’s successes last year.</p><p>And of course, the infamous roundabout at Smith Valley Road and Madison Avenue, which drew lots of laughs from the more than 300 people who attended the mayor’s speech on Thursday, hosted by the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce at the Valle Vista Country Club.</p><p>&quot;That wasn’t supposed to be funny,&quot; Myers said jokingly.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>It was one of several road projects residents and commuters had to navigate last year. The changing landscape near Smith Valley and Madison, including the new &quot;jug handle&quot; at U.S. 31, reduced traffic delays and improved safety in and around that intersection, he said.</p><p>Downtown, the re-imagined Old City Park will feature a cube tower, a 20-foot climbing structure for kids, which Myers said will be the first in Indiana and one of only three in the entire country. It will also include a promenade that will run alongside Pleasant Creek downtown, a rock climbing wall, a pedestrian bridge, urban porch swings and a bocce ball court.</p><p>&quot;My administration came into office in a large part because of our commitment to preserve and revitalize Old Town Greenwood,&quot; he said.</p><p>Also downtown, Myers shared designs for the city’s new Public Works building, which is being paid for entirely with cash on hand, he said. No bonds or loans are needed, and the city will walk away from the expansion debt free, he said.</p><p>&quot;This is what the city can accomplish with a strong financial system,&quot; Myers said.</p><p>&quot;Credit for Greenwood’s financial success extends to every department in the city. Every single person in this administration shares the core belief that fiscal responsibility is not accidental. It must be woven into every decision, every initiative.&quot;</p><p>The mayor encouraged everyone to visit the city’s website where they can look over its finances themselves.</p><p>&quot;If you want to dig into the city’s numbers, I encourage you to,&quot; he said, touting transparency.</p><p>Quality of life continues to be a top priority for the mayor, he said.</p><p>At the city’s most popular outdoor space, Freedom Park, membership climbed 65 percent last year, and for the first time in its history, the park brought in more than $1 million in revenue.</p><p>&quot;We believe in families bonding over Lego tables at Kid City. We believe in offering active seniors a diverse and expanding trails system. And we believe in concerts in the park on Saturdays in the summer with you and a couple thousand of your closest friends,&quot; he said to the crowd.</p><p>He also praised public safety’s advancements, including plans to build and relocate Fire Station 93, the fire department improving its service rating and the police department’s technology and software upgrades.</p><p>&quot;First and foremost, a city must be safe. Safe for our residents, safe for our ever growing number of visitors and safe for the businesses driving our economic situation,&quot; Myers said.</p><p>Looking ahead, he said one of the most important projects of 2019 will be modernizing and increasing safety at school zone crossings.</p><p>As a reserve deputy for the sheriff’s office and a former member of the city’s public safety departments, he took the time to thank everyone in uniform.</p><p>Myers, who was born and raised in Greenwood and his lived in the city nearly his whole life, is wrapping up his second term, and will face off with Dale Marmaduke, another Republican hopeful, in the May primary election.</p><p>&quot;I can’t remember a more exciting time for our city,&quot; he said during his address.</p><p>&quot;Like me, my father was the mayor of Greenwood in the late 1970s. Many of you share the same stories and connections. Our forefathers understood Greenwood is a special place. And as I stand here before you to deliver my eighth report on the state of our city, I believe that those who came before us would take great pride in what was built on our legacy, and would celebrate the progress we continue to make for future prosperity.&quot;</p>