River Ridge Marks ‘Tremendous Progress,’ Looks To Future
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRiver Ridge Development Authority Executive Director Jerry Acy is anticipating another big year for the 6,000-acre River Ridge Commerce Center. The board of directors of the megasite in Jeffersonville has approved the first round of projects for 2017, which involve nearly $8 million in total investment in infrastructure and demolition projects. Acy says "tremendous progress" has been made in 2016 with 30 projects initiated and the completion of the nearby Lewis and Clark Bridge as part of the $2.3 billion Ohio River Bridges Project.
Acy says approximately 20 projects are in the pipeline for the coming year. During a meeting Monday, the development authority board also approved funding for a new longterm master plan, which Acy says will "take a fresh look" at industries targeted by development leaders at the former Army ammunition production site.
Earlier this month, construction wrapped-up on River Ridge’s piece of a $30 million heavy-haul roadway project to connect road, rail and Ohio River shipping traffic throughout the region. International Drive provides access to River Ridge from the new I-265 interchange and its opening coincided with the opening of the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
The recent project approvals from the RRDA include:
- A $4.8 million contract for the third phase of a new gateway into River Ridge.
- A more than $2.6 million Gateway Lift Station and Force Main.
- Nearly $285,000 for water main and utility conduit work.
- Demolition of old storage tanks totaling $170,000.
In April, state and park officials broke ground on a new business park from real estate developer America Place, which Acy calls the most exciting project currently underway at River Ridge.