FLOYD COUNTY —  Steve Pry has an idea, and he hopes Floyd County government officials will soon embrace it.

Pry, of Upton Pry Inc., a general contractor located in New Albany, told Floyd County Commissioners on Tuesday night that he would like to use private investors to build a new youth shelter at the old New Albany Country Club clubhouse and pool area along Graybrook Lane.

The facility became a public course — known as New Albany Springs Golf Course — in April, but Pry said the owners may be looking to sell the clubhouse section of the property.

Pry said he believes he could build the youth shelter for $2 million less than the $5.6 million price tag originally placed on the project. The building likely would be leased by the county once it is complete.

“I think it is a good idea. I said before I would like to partner with a private entity if feasible,” Commissioner Steve Bush said. “I would like to get something going ... we’ve been talking about it for a long time.”

Pry said taking care of at-risk youth should be a priority for the community. For six years, the county has been looking for a way to build a new shelter to replace the one located at the North Annex building along Grant Line Road. However, lack of funds and a downward spiral in the economy prevented the county from breaking ground on the project two years ago.

“This is a new approach to address an old problem,” Pry said. “The goal is to develop the highest value project that meets the needs of the youth.”

Pry said he has used the last three months to come up with the proposal. He said if the plan is approved, he could break ground in 90 days. He said using a public and private partnership “allows us to achieve great values in construction costs.”

He said this is a perfect time to build.

The commissioners said they would study the plan along with County Planner Don Lopp.



City-County Building to get phone upgrade

The commissioners approved a proposal from Brad Walker, information technology specialist for the county, on a new phone and Internet upgrade from AT&T and Insight.

Walker said the move will save the city and county $1,219 a month for the first three years of the five-year agreement. The new system will be installed in the next six to nine weeks Walker said.



Letter of credit issues

Bob Frederick, with the commissioners’ office, said Tuesday that of the 18 subdivision developments in the county, seven have no letter of credit.

Developers have to have a letter of credit before a development can be approved. However, Frederick said many times those letters expire before a development is completed.

Frederick told the commissioners he has contacted the developers and most are cooperating. The letters of credit guarantee roads in a development will be finished.

County Attorney Rick Fox said something should have been put in place where developers are contacted several months before their letters expire. The commissioners and Lopp will look into the problem.

“There needs to be some kind of procedure in place,” said Mark Seabrook, president of the commissioners.