JEFFERSONVILLE — The River Ridge Development Authority Board was provided updates on a series of projects at its Monday meeting.
Most notably, River Ridge Executive Director Jerry Acy updated the progress of the 1-million-square-foot Amazon.com distribution center being constructed off Patrol Road, which runs parallel to Ind. 62.
“The ... work is progressing very rapidly,” he said. “It’s kind of amazing what’s taken place in a relatively short period of time.”
Acy said grading and drainage work are near completion at the site, with the structure expected to be erected in July and open by October.
River Ridge is working to complete the instillation of a traffic light at Ind. 62 and Salem-Noble Road, along with constructing a new connector road inside the Commerce Center, as part of the construction of the Amazon distribution center. Funding to install a traffic light and extended turn lanes at the intersection was dedicated more than two years ago.
The city of Jeffersonville and Clark County each pledged $185,000 and River Ridge paid $370,000 to cover the 20 percent match required for the project. The project is on track to go out for bid May 2 and the installation of the traffic light is expected to be completed by Aug. 30, said River Ridge Engineer Marc Hildenbrand.
An additional project associated with the construction of the nearby Amazon site is also on track. The construction of a connector road, called Cox Street, which will connect to Trey Street and Ind. 62, is progressing. The state is paying for the construction of the road through an infrastructure grant totaling $930,000 that was awarded to River Ridge.
Aside from the infrastructure projects that are progressing, the official announcement of the Amazon distribution center has prompted additional interest and exposure for the commerce center. Paul Wheatley, director of marketing and finance for River Ridge, said a report run through Media Library Inc. showed that the exposure generated by the announcement totaled the equivalent of a more than $450,000 media buy for an advertising campaign.
“It gave us quite a bounce and quite a bit of exposure, just that project alone,” he said.
Acy added that since the company’s announcement, he has received a number of inquiries and visits from prospective buyers to locate in the center.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
• Wheatley provided an update to funds expected to come into River Ridge this year. The funds include Urban Enterprise Zone and Tax Increment Finance money that will total nearly $1.4 million. He said the UEZ funds, which are expected in May or June, are estimated to total just more than $1 million. For TIF fees, he said River Ridge expects to receive about $350,000.
• River Ridge Planning and Development Manager Tom Vittitow said plans to demolish the power plant on the northern most end of the former Indiana Army Ammunition Plant are in place for June.
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