RRDA to Expand Roads, Infrastructure in Charlestown Area

New roads, sewer systems will open additional 250 acres for development projects

JEFFERSONVILLE (July 16, 2018) – The Board of Directors of the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) voted Monday to award engineering and design contracts that will open more than 250 acres of property for commercial and industrial development.

The subsequent construction projects will represent a total investment of approximately $4 million. These investments will allow River Ridge to expand its roads and storm sewer systems on the north side of River Ridge Commerce Center. The expansion also will create a northern entrance, off State Road 62 near Charlestown.

“This is an extremely important step for ongoing growth and job creation,” said Jerry Acy, RRDA Executive Director. “This is a high-visibility area that we’ve been unable to expand because businesses can’t access it. When this is done, we will start seeing the type of growth near Charlestown that we’ve seen on the south side of River Ridge, near Jeffersonville.”

The contracts approved were as follows:

• HWC will be paid up to $109,250 for a topographic survey, engineering design, permitting and bidding services, and construction administration services for the first phase of expansion on 8^th Street, off State Road 62.
• Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz, Inc. will be paid up to $132,000 to complete the design services, including a topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, drainage and sanitary sewer extension, engineering design, permitting and bidding services, and construction administration for improvements to Patrol Road, near its intersection with Lentz Avenue.

River Ridge’s mission is to redevelop more than 6,000 acres of former military property into a commerce center that creates jobs, local tax revenue and regional growth in Southern Indiana. The RRDA’s primary sources of revenue are land sales and property taxes within the commerce center that are reinvested in in excavation and demolition projects, and construction of roads, sewer systems and water infrastructure.

The park is currently home to more than 50 businesses employing nearly 9,000 workers. A 2017 economic impact study found that businesses at River Ridge generated more than $36 million in local income taxes since 2006. Local governments received more than $5.3 million in local income taxes last year and will get an estimated $5.8 million in 2018.

In addition, River Ridge businesses generated more than $27 million in state income and sales taxes last year and will likely top $30 million in 2018.

“We’ve had so much to celebrate since we started building at River Ridge, and we want to make sure the good news keeps coming,” said J. Mark Robinson, President of the RDDA Board of Directors. “Projects like these will ensure the next 10 years are as good as the first 10 years.”

Board addresses Gateway Lake issues

The River Ridge board also approved a measure allowing officials to resolve an issue related to Gateway Lake, a centerpiece of its new entrance, off State Road 265 near the new Lewis and Clark Bridge. The lake and related features are under construction, but it has not been completed because of leaks.

The board authorized its attorney to enter mediation with the construction, design and engineering firms hired for the project to determine how the leaks can be repaired and the lake completed.