AUDIO: Mayor Drury Talks All Things Aurora

Expanding the Facade Improvement Program, housing development and a new master plan for utilities were among the topics.

City of Aurora Mayor Mark Drury. File photo.

(Aurora, Ind.) - It has been an interesting first year for City of Aurora Mayor Mark Drury. 

Never in his wildest imagination did Drury think his first year as mayor would take place during a global pandemic, but in the midst of it all Drury is keeping a positive attitude 

In an interview with Eagle Country 99.3's Bubba Bo, Mayor Drury talked about things the City has accomplished during the last year and potential future plans within the City. 

"I can't take credit just myself," said Drury. "It takes a whole team of individuals to make things happen, to move things in a positive direction. And as small as we are and as limited as our resources are I really feel blessed that we are can stretch those a long way. Get a lot of bang for our buck."

Drury mentioned the continuation of the Facade Improvement Program, which began prior to Drury being elected. This was the first year the program has been expanded from downtown and into some of the nearby residential areas. 

"We're talking for next year to make it citywide," said Drury. "We are going to expand that program out so others can take advantage of it." 

Another big accomplishment this year were improvements to Third Street. The mayor says the project is about 99 percent done. 

In terms of economic development, Drury said he is looking into info housing. There's a couple of spots where we could do some relatively major housing sub-divisions, maybe up to 100 houses. I'm just looking at all the possibilities. Where do we have room to grow."

The City is still going forward with the Market Street project. 

"I think that's a little San Francisco with the views we get up on the hill. It may be one of the best kept secrets in the tri-state. We're in close proximity to northern Kentucky and downtown Cincinnati and you get a lot of bang for your buck again. You can come and build a beautiful house with these river views, sit there and have your coffee every morning and only take 30 minutes to get downtown."

Drury said there are many things that still need to be done with an aging infrastructure in Aurora. One major potential upgrade could be in the works with the drafting of a new master plan for the utilities. 

On a smaller scale, city residents might notice fewer Christmas decorations and displays this holiday season because of the improvements on Third Street. 

"A lot of our old Christmas displays do not fit on those new lamps, so we've ordered some," said Drury. 

Over the next couple years, the City plans to increase the amount of Christmas decorations and displays in the downtown area. 

"I encourage everybody during this holiday season coming up to put out a few extra lights and stuff to cheer people up," said Drury. 

HEAR BUBBA BO'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARK DRURY IN THE AUDIO PLAYER BELOW