The mayor of Lawrenceburg (name not specified) delivered a State of the City address at the Liberty Theater, outlining major public-works and public-safety changes and previewing a Riverwalk development the administration hopes to begin this year.

The mayor said the administration negotiated a new four-year union contract that went into effect in January 2025 and includes transitioning police officers to 12-hour shifts and merging the city’s fire and emergency medical services departments. He also described a planned Riverwalk project that the city says will add restaurants, public restrooms and roughly 15 boat slips, but that cannot proceed until the Lawrenceburg Conservancy District provides a sponsorship letter and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues a permit.

The new contract and the Riverwalk were the central announcements in the roughly 30-minute address, which the mayor used to recap 2024 accomplishments and preview projects planned or underway in 2025. “Our city is built on a foundation of hard work, collaboration, and shared pride in who we are and what we stand for,” the mayor said.

Riverwalk and riverfront projects

The mayor described the Riverwalk as a multi-part riverfront redevelopment that would include two modern-style restaurants on the water, public restrooms, extensive outdoor seating, modern lighting, seating and swings along upgraded levees, and about 15 boat slips for visiting boaters. He said the project also will include an open-air pavilion to host seasonal programming and amenities: an ice-skating rink in winter and a farmers market in spring and summer.

City officials say they expect to break ground on the open-air pavilion within 30 to 45 days, and the mayor said the council approved the pavilion in the city budget. The mayor noted the Riverwalk will require a sponsorship letter from the Lawrenceburg Conservancy District and an Army Corps of Engineers permit before waterfront work can proceed.

Public-safety contract changes

The mayor said the new four-year union contract, effective January 2025, contains two key operational changes: moving patrol officers to 12-hour shifts and merging the fire and EMS departments. He characterized both provisions as intended to improve coverage and responsiveness but provided no additional implementation timeline or vote tallies in the address.

Parks, recreation and downtown improvements

The mayor highlighted several ongoing and planned capital projects: replacement of street signs citywide and new city-limit signs, construction of new pickleball courts at Ludlow Hill Park (expected this spring) and planned additional courts at Todd Creek Park, and façade and entrance upgrades at the Lawrenceburg Community Center, including renovations to the facility’s workout area.

Ludlow Hill Park will also receive a new walking trail funded in part by a grant, the mayor said; the trail will create pedestrian connections from Bel Air Drive to both ponds at the park. He said the trail will provide access other than by motor vehicle for nearby neighborhoods.

The mayor noted the Liberty Theater project as an example of a public-private partnership involving Lawrenceburg Redevelopment and Figma Trope LLC; he said the restored 1893 building won a Cincinnati design award for best building architecture.

Housing, scholarships and schools

The mayor acknowledged a continuing challenge: a senior-housing tax-credit application the city submitted was not approved for the third consecutive attempt. He said the administration and council remain committed to pursuing senior housing but provided no timeline or new funding source in the speech.

On education, the mayor cited ongoing partnerships with Saint Lawrence (school) and Ivy Tech to support local students and adult education. He said the city continues to fund the Tremaine Scholarship Fund as an annual budget item and has increased the presence of school resource officers in Lawrenceburg Community Schools; he did not provide specific staffing counts.

Utilities and finances

The mayor credited Lawrenceburg Municipal Utilities (LMU) with keeping some of the lowest utility rates in Indiana and said LMU has implemented technological upgrades to maintain reliable service. He described the city’s financial position as strong and said Clerk Treasurer Mark Fetti and an outside accounting firm advise the city on fiscal matters.

Closing and acknowledgements

The mayor said 2024 marked the start of what he called his final term as mayor and closed by thanking staff, council members and local partners. He specifically thanked Dan and Chrissy McCabe for opening the Liberty Theater for the address, Joy Martin (his assistant) for organizing the event, Clerk Treasurer Mark Fetti, and council members Tony Abbott, Dylan Little, Tommy Roulette, Lenny Bridal and Brett Bondurant.

“Thank you,” he concluded.