Mayor Terry Says Evansville Is “Building What Matters”

At Tuesday afternoon’s Rotary Club of Evansville meeting, Mayor Stephanie Terry delivered her third State of the City address with a message that stretched far beyond individual projects or policy updates.

Much of the mayor’s speech centered around a larger question facing Evansville and many mid-sized Midwestern cities: How do you create a community where people want to stay, raise families and build their future?

While the address touched on housing, infrastructure, public safety, parks and economic development, many of those initiatives pointed back to the same goal — making Evansville a place residents see as stable, livable and full of opportunity.

Terry acknowledged that census data has shown Evansville’s population declining since 2020, although the city saw slight growth between 2024 and 2025.

Using the imagery of trees and roots during the unveiling of a new city government logo and branding initiative, Terry described her administration’s work as laying a foundation for Evansville’s future.

“Our city is strong because we’re building what matters,” Terry said.

Youth Investment Positioned as Long-Term Strategy

One of the clearest themes throughout the address was the city’s growing focus on young people and families.

Terry highlighted initiatives including the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, the citywide “We Read” literacy campaign, Summer Job and Resource Fair, and the “My Summer Ride” program, which provides free bus transportation for youth during the summer months.

The administration also continues working through the Mayor’s Education Roundtable to strengthen partnerships around education and youth opportunity.

While youth programs are often discussed separately from economic development, the mayor’s remarks reflected a broader understanding that retaining young people, improving literacy and expanding access to opportunity are closely tied to Evansville’s long-term growth and stability.

Housing and Neighborhoods Remain Central to Growth Efforts

Housing and neighborhood revitalization were also major priorities discussed.

The city previously established a goal of creating 2,000 housing units at multiple income levels by the end of 2027. According to Terry, Evansville has already reached 61% of that goal through developments such as The Vault redevelopment and Crawford Door in Jacobsville.

Those projects include both market-rate and affordable housing.

Terry also highlighted continued progress through the city’s “Fight Blight” initiative, which aims to remove 150 blighted residential structures across Evansville. The city has already demolished 100 properties and is currently working on another 65 structures.

One resident who lived next to a vacant home for five years reportedly described the demolition of the property as a sign that positive change was finally happening in the neighborhood.

The city’s “Block by Block” cleanup initiative has also expanded, with officials reporting more than 20,000 tons of trash collected citywide. In the Glenwood neighborhood, weed violations dropped from 38 to six within 30 days.

Meanwhile, the Department of Metropolitan Development continues partnering with the Evansville Land Bank and other organizations to support affordable housing and redevelopment efforts.

Quality of Life Investments Seen as Part of Evansville’s Future

Much of the administration’s vision also focused on improving quality of life through parks, recreation, downtown development and tourism.

Terry highlighted $16 million invested in parks and recreation facilities over the past year, including renovations planned for C.K. Newsome Center and ongoing improvements across the city’s park system.

The mayor also discussed the River Vision project, led by E-REP in partnership with planning firm Sasaki, which reimagines downtown Evansville and the riverfront experience.

Sports tourism and entertainment continue to play a role in the city’s growth strategy as well. Terry pointed to the success of the Evansville Thunderbolts hockey team and partnerships that helped secure the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at the Ford Center through 2032.

The Mesker Park Zoo’s Wild Summer Lights event reportedly attracted approximately 50,000 visitors and contributed to a record 229,000 visitors to Evansville last year.

At the same time, Terry acknowledged ongoing financial challenges connected to future redevelopment plans for Mesker Amphitheatre.

Infrastructure and Public Safety Continue to Present Challenges

Modernizing city infrastructure is also a priority for the mayor.

Road repairs remain a significant concern, with the city reporting more than 17,000 potholes filled over the past year. Plans for a future 311 app that would allow residents to report infrastructure concerns and track progress on repairs were also announced.

Terry referenced the Riverside Drive sinkhole issue as an example of Evansville’s aging infrastructure challenges. The city completed repairs and additional sewer separation work as part of a $10 million investment tied to ongoing environmental compliance efforts.

Large-scale projects such as the I-69 Ohio River Crossing and continued growth at Evansville Regional Airport were also presented as opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity and economic development.

Public safety was another major topic during the address.

According to Evansville Police Chief Philip Smith, violent crime and property crime have both declined, while homicides dropped by 30% last year. However, city leaders acknowledged continuing concerns surrounding domestic violence, juvenile crime and other predatory offenses.

The Evansville Police Department plans to launch a one-year “Drone as First Responder” pilot program, while the city is also expanding mental health response efforts aimed at addressing homelessness, addiction and behavioral health challenges.

Meanwhile, the Evansville Fire Department reported an 18% decrease in fire response times in 2025 and is preparing to officially take over emergency medical services operations in the coming weeks.

Financial Pressures Remain Ahead

Despite highlighting progress in several areas, Terry acknowledged that many of the city’s long-term goals will require continued investment and financial flexibility.

The city recently received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2026 budget process, which included public surveys and community budget forums.

However, Terry also warned that Senate Enrolled Act 1 is expected to reduce local government revenue moving forward, creating additional financial pressure for cities across Indiana.

The administration has reportedly formed a task force to help identify strategies for maintaining services despite declining resources.

The mayor also highlighted affordability concerns impacting residents, including utility costs. The city partnered with CenterPoint Energy on a $5 million utility bill relief commitment intended to support struggling households.

Throughout the address, Terry repeatedly returned to the idea that Evansville’s future depends on more than individual projects alone.

The broader challenge, she suggested, is creating a city where residents believe they can build a future of their own.