JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — The future of Jeffersonville's prime waterfront land, is a little bit more clear.
People have been waiting for the designs for the abandoned Jeffboat shipbuilding site.
"It's amazing, I'm actually very excited," said Chris Howard.
After several meetings for the public to weigh in, phase one of what the site would look like over the next 10 years have been revealed.
"An opportunity to capture the riverboat cruise industry that's coming along the Ohio River today, we have an interest in working with them and putting landings on site to bring those tourists into the community," Dylan Fisher, the vice president of Real Estate at The Wheatley Group, said.
American Commercial Barge Lines (ACBL) owns the land.
This $930 million dollar investment will bring more residential and office space, as well as restaurants and a full service marina.
Fisher said unless you worked at Jeffboat, you've been on the other side of the fence.
"So when that fence finally comes down and there's a development over there, it's going to be pretty impactful for the residents who either have parents or grandparents that may have worked there," he said.
For the first time, over 80 acres of Jeffersonville's waterfront would be open to the public. Phase one of the project is worth $530 million and will bring over 3,000 jobs.
ACBL is doing everything they can to connect folks to their property, while preserving the history of Jeffboat.
"I'm just so excited that something that meant so much to our city, and really to our country at such a critical time in our nation's history, is now going to be able to continue in such an amazing role for our city," community member Evan Stoner said.
Howard is also excited for the city's continued growth.
"This was kind of the place that you moved away from, but now, honestly I think this is going to attract a lot of people," said Howard.
Although in the beginning of this project Howard had tons of questions regarding pollution, but those questions have now been answered.
"There had been some concerns about environmental damage and that sort of thing, but as far as I can tell what's been presented here, that really isn't a concern anymore," he said.
He and so many others are happy that Jeffersonville is returning to it's Ohio River roots.
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