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Council adopts Jacobsville redevelopment master plan amendment to guide long‑term neighborhood investment
Summary
The council approved Resolution C2025-10 amending the Jacobsville redevelopment area master plan after a presentation from Rendell, Ernstberger & Associates; the plan identifies redevelopment zones, streetscape improvements and a multi‑year implementation framework.
The Evansville Common Council on Feb. 24 adopted Resolution C2025-10, approving an amended master plan for the Jacobsville redevelopment area. The resolution passed by recorded roll call with seven ayes and no nays (one council member was not in attendance at the time of the vote).
Cynthia Bowen of Rendell, Ernstberger & Associates presented the plan and summarized its goals and major recommendations. The study area runs from Garvin Park north to the Lloyd Expressway and from Pigeon Creek east to Heidelbach. Bowen said the plan — prepared in 2023–24 and moving through adoption steps in late 2024 and early 2025 — identifies seven “big ideas” and five redevelopment zones, including a regional destination zone around Garvin Park, a live‑work‑play zone, a residential enhancement zone and an industrial transition zone.
Bowen and staff identified specific recommendations including: - Infill and mixed‑use redevelopment along Main Street and adjacent corridors, with first‑floor commercial and upper‑floor residential where appropriate. - Adaptive reuse of large industrial buildings for housing and mixed uses, particularly along Franklin Street and near the riverfront. - Streetscape and complete‑street improvements on Franklin Street, Fulton Avenue and Main Street to improve walkability and safety. - Improvements at Garvin Park and creation of regional destination amenities, linked to brownfield remediation where needed.
Colby Jackson of the Department of Metropolitan Development explained that some projects arising from the plan are already underway or in coordination with other city initiatives (for example, Fulton Park improvements and the Virginia Street connector). Jackson said no single funding source was identified for all plan elements; implementation will rely on a mix of public and private funding and phased investment over five to ten years.
Council discussion focused on funding, alignment with the parks master plan and coordination with ongoing projects. Staff said the department will lead plan implementation, update overlay districts to align with the plan’s future‑land‑use map, and advance targeted streetscape and small‑scale redevelopment work to catalyze investment.
Outcome: Resolution C2025-10 was adopted (7–0 reported at time of vote; one member recorded absent). The plan will act as a guide and policy addendum to the comprehensive plan and will be used to prioritize streetscape projects, redevelopment parcels and future TIF or grant applications.
