COLUMBUS, Ind. — Mayor Jim Lienhoop delivered his final State of the City address at The Commons Monday evening. He touted the city’s designation as the 2022 Community of the Year, efforts to combat substance abuse, and the inception of public projects like the railroad overpass project and NexusPark. It was the first time the address was given in person since 2020.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been just over seven years since we started this journey- time does fly,” Lienhoop said. “My wife Pam and I have enjoyed our time in the Mayor’s office, but both of us realize that it’s time to step aside and make way for a younger crop of leaders.”
Mayor Lienhoop named challenges ‘1A and 1B’ at the beginning of his term as the prevalence of substance abuse and increased railroad traffic. On the former, the Mayor talked about the Alliance of Substance Abuse (ASAP) becoming a statewide leader and model for neighboring counties.
“As I’ve said, we’re not done by a long shot,” Lienhoop said. “We still see too many drugs, too many deaths, but ASAP has become a well-executed collaboration among Columbus Regional Health, Bartholomew County, and the City of Columbus. None of us could have done it alone.”
In terms of railroad traffic, a city task force was created to seek a solution, resulting in a $35 million collaboration that became the railroad overpass. “And it solved a significant challenge,” Lienhoop said. “The chances of a vehicle-train collision at this crossing have been reduced to zero.”
He also noted efforts to increase public safety with Intelligence-Led Policing, the city’s work with Meridiam to bring fiber networks reaching 85% of the county, the Envision Columbus plan, and the progress of The Taylor, a downtown development with apartments and an urban grocer slated to open late this year.
Mayor Lienhoop announced he would not seek a third term back in November.
