Kokomo residents get news of another huge downtown development deal, the mayor reacts to being the only democrat elected to a third mayoral term in Kokomo and answers why some new curb side recycling totes haven't been picked up by the city yet.
On this week's installment of Ask The Mayor, Mayor Greg Goodnight addresses these issues and more. Listen to the full conversation with Indiana Newsdesk anchor Joe Hren by clicking on the play button above, or read some of the questions and answers below.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Hren: First off, congratulation on being re-elected mayor. How did you feel both campaigns were run?
Goodnight: I'm very happy with the way we ran. I felt we had a positive message. A good message. Unemployment is down, private investment is up, crime is down, our population is growing even though we were predicted to lose population over the last four or five years.
Hren: Last month you broke the city's largest downtown development record, now I come back this month and set a new record again?
Goodnight: Monday we announced what is now the largest ever, looks like a $32 million redevelopment project of the historic Apperson Automobile Factory. They're going to keep a large portion of the facade on the front and north side and Flaherty & Collins is going to make this a mixed use apartment complex, 198 apartment units and 6,000 square feet of retail space.
Hren: Does that fit a demand for this part of the city?
Goodnight: A little bit both. I always say everything we're trying to do is make is to help the people of Kokomo, but also create that Kokomo for those people that are going to be our future residents.
Hren: Any pressing issues to wrap up before the end of the year?
Goodnight: The big things are really trying to put plans together for next year. Tackle the winter, I think we're prepared for whatever elements may be thrown at us from Mother Nature. We've been really focused on these road diets and lane diets and right sizing our streets, complete streets... those transformational projects.
