Evansville: A City on the Move

By Rasheedah Ajibade

Mayor Stephanie Terry delivered the State of the City address, hosted by the Evansville Rotary Club at Old National Events Plaza, drawing inspiration from the wordless book The Flower Man. In the book, an elderly man’s act of planting flowers transforms a neglected neighborhood, bringing color and life block by block. His simple action spreads throughout the community until it is transformed. Terry likened this to Evansville’s progress, driven not by City Hall alone but by the collective efforts of everyday citizens. “We are a city on the move,” she said. “And the real momentum is coming from you.”  While acknowledging ongoing challenges and feelings of neglect in some parts of the community, Terry focused on tangible accomplishments and the vision for the future.

Neighborhood Revitalization

Revitalizing neighborhoods remains a top priority, with major strides in affordable housing, blight removal, and public space improvements.

Affordable Housing

• Over 350 new affordable housing units have been completed or are underway.
• An additional 240 units are in the planning phase.
• The city aims to reach 2,000 new units by the end of Terry’s term.

Blight Removal

• 132 blighted structures were identified through resident reports.
• 26 properties have already been demolished, with 41 more cleared for demolition and 24 pending hearings or appeals.

The Fight Blight initiative has tripled funding for tearing down unsafe buildings, with a strong emphasis on community involvement. Terry emphasized that these efforts are not just about removing what’s broken—but about making room for what’s possible.

Investing Block by Block

Evansville’s revitalization strategy includes the Block-by-Block program and Forward Together grants, which support nonprofits building homes, repairing properties, and fighting poverty. A Harvard Fellow is assisting the city in developing a mapping system to better guide housing and development efforts.

Public parks are another focal point in the city’s Quality of Place strategy:

• A $24 million Parks Bond will fund upgrades across Evansville’s 46 parks.
• Projects include HVAC upgrades at Swonder Ice Arena and irrigation repairs at city golf courses.
• Parks Director Danielle Crook noted her goal is “to touch every park in some way.”

Upcoming Park improvements include:

• A new splash pad at Tepe Park
• New playgrounds at Fulton and Stevenson Parks
• Updates to CK Newsome Community Center
• A new Activity Zone at Garvin Park, starting with a playground and safety surface this summer

The city’s River Vision plan—unveiled by E-REP and Sasaki—outlines a 20- to 30-year vision for transforming 50 miles of the Ohio riverfront, with downtown Evansville at its core.

Public Safety

In 2024, Evansville made major strides in public safety:

• New three-year contracts with police and fire departments resulted in record compensation increases, and improved recruitment.
• Police received 125 applications by May 1, a notable increase from 2023; the Fire Department attracted 391 applicants, nearly double the prior year.
• A new East Side fire station will improve response times by up to 90 seconds.

Terry also noted:

• All 12 homicides in 2024 were solved within 48 hours.
• Police seized 7 pounds of fentanyl—up from 1.6 pounds in 2023.
• Community policing and the Community Violence Intervention program are helping address root causes like poverty and trauma.

Empowering Youth

One of Terry’s priorities is youth empowerment. She reinstated the Education Roundtable and launched the city’s first Youth Master Plan—a comprehensive roadmap to support children from early learning through career readiness. “It’s about unlocking potential. It’s about making sure every child has the chance to succeed in this city—and it’s all our responsibility,” Terry said.

Initiatives include:

• A new Youth Advisory Council to give students a voice in civic decisions.
• The Driving Possibilities initiative—a $13M investment by the Toyota USA Foundation—expands STEM education and job training.
• The Academy for Science & Medicine is growing hands-on learning opportunities.
• A citywide literacy campaign aims for 95% grade-level reading by 2027.

Economic Outlook

Despite the loss of a $20 million federal grant for transportation, the city ended 2024 with $50 million in reserves and a strong credit rating. Evansville saw:

• 500 new jobs created
• 3.4% wage growth
• Unemployment below 4%

Major investments included:

• $5M expansion by Separation by Design
• $20M press line from American Bath Group

Still, Terry acknowledged that economic growth hasn’t reached everyone. “A strong bond rating doesn’t mean every family in Evansville is feeling that success yet.”  To address ongoing issues—rising utility costs, homelessness, food insecurity, and animal welfare, the city is:

• Deploying a Street Outreach Team to assist the unhoused
• Launching an Energy Solutions Working Group
• Hosting the city’s first Animal Care & Control Town Hall
• Supporting Food Commission partners fighting hunger

Funding Challenges and Smart Solutions

Terry addressed the $15.8 million revenue loss expected from Senate Bill 1, which reduced property taxes. The cut affects critical services like public safety and libraries. “Protecting public safety is not optional,” said Terry.  One creative solution is transferring ambulance services to the Evansville Fire Department, which could generate $3.5 million annually by 2028. The city is also considering local income tax adjustments to fill budget gaps.

Infrastructure & Roads

Roads remain a pressing concern. Evansville invests about $7.8 million annually in street repairs, nearly double the previous years, but still short of the $12 million needed. House Bill 1461 allows the city to receive $4.5 million annually from the Community Crossings program, though a funding gap remains.

Projects underway:

• Walnut Street corridor reopening as a complete street from Vann to Downtown by the end of the year
• Third Street reconstruction beginning this year

To tackle aging infrastructure, Evansville is blending groundwater with Ohio River water—saving $100 million in upfront costs and $2 million annually in PFAS treatment. “By creating a dual-source system, we make our supply more resilient for decades to come,” said Terry.

Looking Ahead

Goals for 2025 include:

• Six more Block-by-Block cleanups
• Demolishing 150 unsafe structures
• Continuing progress toward the 2,000-unit housing goal
• Advancing logistics and supply chain development through READI funding

The city is also improving air connectivity:

• Additional flights to Florida via Allegiant and Breeze
• Delta’s fourth daily flight to Atlanta
• Ongoing talks to restore service to Detroit

In her concluding statements, Terry reinforced a bold vision for Evansville, reminding attendees to stay focused and united. “Evansville is a city on the move. And we are just getting started.”