Dear Neighbors:
Spring is such a beautiful time in New Albany and I hope you’re taking time to enjoy it. I also hope you’ve had an opportunity to see the positive publicity recently about our community. Columbus Monthly named New Albany the #1 suburb in Greater Columbus and featured us on the cover of the May issue. I am biased in believing New Albany is uniquely wonderful but it’s nice to know others feel the same.

New Albany enjoys so much momentum right now. I would like to share with you just a handful of key projects underway or about to begin.

Center for Community Health
The City of New Albany, in collaboration with The Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, will break ground on a 50,000+ square feet community health destination on Main Street, just south of the Post Office. This facility, which will provide residents with P4 Medicine (Personalized, Predictive, Preventive & Participatory), is an outgrowth of all the great work being led by Healthy New Albany and Dr. Phil Heit and his army of volunteers that have developed New Albany’s Farmers Market, community garden, lectures and the New Albany Walking Classic. We believe the amenities this facility will bring will transform New Albany and make us a national model for health communities.

Empty Nester Neighborhood
For some time now, we have heard from residents the need for a neighborhood to accommodate empty-nesters looking to downsize. I am pleased to report that Showcase Homes will begin development soon of a new country club neighborhood at the corner of Ackerly and Reynoldsburg-New Albany Roads. It will feature 51 homes at an average price of $420,000 with first floor master bedrooms. An association will maintain the common areas. This exciting neighborhood will be within walking distance to the new retail district, Center for Community Health, the library and The McCoy Center for the Arts.

Highgrove
An exceptional new neighborhood of homes adjacent to The Club and featuring beautiful vistas of the west nine, Highgrove continues to attract interest among buyers looking for a private yet connected lifestyle. Several homes are under construction with the first residents scheduled to move in at the end of the summer. If you’d like to tour Highgrove or other available home sites and residences. New Albany Realty is hosting a Spring Tour of Homes on Sunday, May 19 from 1-4pm.

Market and Main Building
A 30,000 square feet retail, restaurant and office building at Market and Main Streets will begin construction about the same time as the Center for Community Health. Mellow Mushroom was recently announced as the first restaurant in the building. We expect it to be a popular destination for its eclectic pizza and lively environment. More announcements are forthcoming on retail and office development in the historic Village Center District.

New Albany Business Park
Just 15 years ago the Business Park did not exist and today there are 12,000 employees working in the park, generating tax revenues that will assist in sustaining quality city services, roads, schools, parks and other amenities. City leaders have welcomed many new businesses who have moved here in the past year. Among them, we look forward to welcoming Bob Evans to its new corporate headquarters this Fall.

New Albany Schools
As the 2012-13 school year draws to a close there is much progress to celebrate. Through the leadership of Superintendent April Domine, the school board, students, teachers, parents and community representatives a national benchmarking initiative was completed, a bond issue was passed, more academic and extra-curricular offerings were added and entirely through private donations a new turf field was installed.

School leaders expect to break ground in the coming weeks on a new 150,000 square feet learning facility for the district and community. The new building will be focused on student-centered learning and will most likely accommodate the district growth for grades 2-8. In addition to serving those student populations, the plan includes opportunities for students across campus to utilize a central core with STEM Labs and common space. The building is designed with flexibility in mind to allow areas of the building to be transformed for multiple purposes. Additional features include a full service gymnasium with an elevated running track, outdoor learning spaces, including green roofs that add to the environmental offerings of the district, and dedicated food service areas. The building is expected to open in Fall 2014.