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Council adopts Jacobsville redevelopment master plan amendment as TIF master plan addendum
Summary
Council adopted Resolution C2025.10 approving an amendment to the Jacobsville redevelopment area master plan, outlining seven redevelopment ideas, identified zones, and a multi-year implementation framework to guide infill, streetscape and parks investments.
The Evansville Common Council on Feb. 24 adopted Resolution C2025.10 to amend the Jacobsville redevelopment area master plan, endorsing a multi-year framework for mixed-use infill, residential enhancement, industrial transition and streetscape improvements across the study area.
Colby Jackson introduced the amendment and said the city worked with Rendell Ernstberger & Associates on the plan. Cynthia Bowen of Rendell Ernstberger presented the plan’s findings and recommendations. The consultant described seven guiding ideas: represent community values in design and development; build a green network; encourage mixed land uses; create spaces for year-round events; infill Main Street; focus redevelopment around major employer nodes and workforce housing; and boost civic pride and safety through gateways and complete-streets improvements.
Bowen outlined five redevelopment zones spanning Garvin Park in the north to the Lloyd Expressway in the south, and from Pigeon Creek to Heidelbach Avenue. The plan maps residential redevelopment sites, mixed-use buildings, commercial nodes, potential parking structures and green space. Bowen highlighted site-specific ideas such as adaptive reuse of large industrial buildings on Franklin Street for multifamily housing with ground-floor retail, remediation and reuse of a brownfield near Garvin Park for sports fields or community amenities, and streetscape upgrades including street trees, intersection tightening and a branded gateway at Main Street and John Street.
City staff emphasized the plan is an implementation-minded guide: steps include presenting the plan to departments and partners, updating overlay districts to align with the plan, planning bike and complete-street connections (First Avenue, Virginia Street and Fulton Avenue), and targeting small-scale redevelopment projects to catalyze private investment. Staff said some projects in the plan are already underway, including the Fulton Park improvements and multifamily infill projects such as Baker Flats and Promise Home.
The council adopted the resolution by roll call (7 ayes, 0 nays; Councilman Hieronymus had left the meeting).
