NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan is touting a plan to save the Silver Creek dam at Origin Park.
The group behind Origin Park tried to get the dam removed in 2020, but that plan was met with resistance from New Albany government through a lawsuit.
“The truth is the dam is dangerous; they proved it over and over again,” Amanda Malott said, pleading with New Albany City Council members at their June 3 to take the dam down.
On Memorial Day, May 27, Malott's son, 14-year-old Andre "AJ" Edwards Jr., fell off the dam and into the water below. His body was found later that night.
At a council meeting on June 3, the council president read a statement from Gahan that offered condolences to Malott's family, and a pitch for protecting the dam.
“The city will continue working on improving the safety at the area,” said Council President Adam Dickey, reading the mayor’s statement. "Including pursuing improvements like the rock-arch dam conversion."
Monday, Gahan provided a picture of what the proposed dam improvement looks like. The dam would remain in place while a series of stone steps going downstream would be removed.
However, when the city of New Albany sought approval to construct the arch dam, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources denied the application, citing failure to complete the application and information necessary to adequately review the project.
“A low-head dam is a hazard many are concerned that just such a tragedy would occur at some point. Since Andre's death, I have heard from a number of my constituents, everyone has said the same things it is time for the dam to come down," Louise Gohmann, New Albany City Council member, said at the June 3 meeting.
Gahan put out the below statement on Nov. 15, 2022, in support of his project:
"The New Albany City Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing the destruction of the Glenmill Park Dam. The Silver Creek dam is also called Glenmill park dam in some documents."
Gahan has not said how much the project he is supporting would cost. Calls were made to his office on Monday but were not returned.
On the city council's agenda this coming Thursday is a resolution to "Encourage Removal of the Low-Head Dam."
Related Stories:
- Family of 14-year-old who drowned in Silver Creek joins renewed calls for removal of dam
- 14-year-old boy's Memorial Day death reignites controversy over future of Silver Creek dam
- 14-year-old boy found dead after swimming in Silver Creek, New Albany police say
- City of New Albany files lawsuit to stop removal of dam on Silver Creek
- New Albany to object to dam removal for southern Indiana parks project
- After burying son who drowned in Silver Creek, family wants action from New Albany leaders over dam
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