“I appreciate the thoughtful expert recommendations provided and am excited to take action at the Washington/Kentucky intersection. The city is committed to being a strong partner and providing the leadership needed to move this project forward.”
Mayor Stephanie Terry, City of Evansville
Clients: The City of Evansville, Indiana, located in the southwestern corner of the state along the Ohio River just north of Kentucky, has a population of approximately 116,000 people and is Indiana’s third largest city. The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership promotes economic development and vitality to drive the region’s economic growth, attract a high-wage and high-skilled workforce and elevate quality of life. The Southwest Indiana Association of REALTORS® represents 1,000 REALTOR® members across 11 counties of southern Indiana.
Challenge: The focus of Consulting Corps assignment was the intersection of Washington Ave. and South Kentucky Avenue. This intersection, the meeting point of the Tepe Park, Akin Park and Bellemeade Bayard Park Neighborhood Associations, is currently occupied by a mix of vacant or underutilized commercial properties. The community would like a plan for redevelopment and reuse at this intersection that engages the neighborhoods in planning, provides entrepreneur and consumer opportunities for the neighborhood, and promotes vibrancy and positive community outcomes to enhance neighbors' lived experience.
Assessment: The Consulting Corps team examined demographic, market, and employment data; reviewed relevant plans and studies; assessed market conditions for housing and other property; and reviewed legal constraints applicable to the area. In addition, the team met with more than 60 stakeholders, who conveyed significant neighborhood pride and dedication. Community needs identified include spaces for gathering, Maker space, financial resources education, healthy food, as well as expanded space for childcare. The team also observed a lack of healthcare services in the neighborhood.
Findings:
The team observed that the City of Evansville has a number of existing plans peripheral to the focus area, but none have included this study area as a focal point. The city plans created for other neighborhoods provide an excellent model to advance redevelopment at this Neighborhood Nexus. The team presented the following action steps:
- Organize the neighborhood for redevelopment with an authentic brand.
- Create a Neighborhood Implementation Team.
- Develop a comprehensive Redevelopment Plan.
- Create working groups focused on Community Center, Health Clinic, and Housing.
- Develop a brand for the area.
- Coordinate, inventory, and assemble land.
- Address transportation connectivity with particular attention to pedestrians and bicyclists. Prioritize the infrastructure investments on Washington Avenue that will reduce the number of lanes and include a bicycle lane and turning lane; make the connection to the High Rail Evansville trail from Haynie’s corner to the Trail and Highway 41.
- Streetscape Project Funding Applications
- Washington Street Streetscape Design and Construction
- Community Center and Health Clinic
- Establish mobile health services location via partnership with one of Evansville’s major health providers.
- Determine needs and uses for potential community center.
- Create a health care services working group to determine need and address need, as appropriate.
- Commercial Destination Neighborhood
- Targeted Revolving Loan Fund to Washington-Kentucky area
- Facade Grant/Loan Program targeted to Washington-Kentucky area
- Attract Destination Restaurant / Retail to Washington-Kentucky area
- Housing Development and Rehab
- Single Family Residential - Rehabilitation and Infill Housing
- Single Family Residential – Historic Rehabilitation and Conservation
- Multi-family Residential Development – Not-For-Profit and Private Developers
Immediate next steps:
- Create Neighborhood Implementation Team (NIT)
- NIT City staff and elected officials prepare a Request for Proposals to select a planning consultant
- Potential interim opportunity: Establish a farmers market or other system for delivery of fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat.
Evansville has demonstrated success in spurring redevelopment in other parts of the city. Building on the mayor’s commitment and the broad range of dedicated partners, with focus and coordination, stakeholders can advance redevelopment at Kentucky and Washington.
"I am so grateful to the team for their hard work and to the stakeholders for generously sharing their time. Their dedication to the community is apparent.”
Walt Clements, CRE, Evansville Consulting Corps Team Leader
In the News
- Evansville taking steps towards major east side renovations. Channel 14 News. December 14, 2024.