Evansville Working to Improve Arts District
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe City of Evansville and Evansville Brownfields Corp. have detailed redevelopment plans for the city's growing arts district. They include revamping a historic apartment building, tearing down an abandoned drug store and marketing three empty lots for single-family home developments. June 16, 2014
News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the Evansville Brownfields Corp. announce several new exciting projects to enhance the area around Haynie's Corner in the city's growing Arts District. The projects are being spearheaded through a unique partnership between Evansville Brownfields Corp. and the City of Evansville's Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD).
“Progress around our city continues today with an infusion of investment and plans to improve commercial buildings and residential housing in an area rapidly becoming known as 'Where Art Lives,'” said Mayor Winnecke. “Our hope is that these investments will initiate further private investments in the area.”
A request for proposals to rehabilitate the historic Maybelle and Montrose Apartment buildings located at 1012 SE Second St. has been issued, according to Brownfields Corp. President Kevin Axsom. The structures are located approximately 1/2 mile from the Ford Center and the future downtown campus of Indiana University School of Medicine Evansville.
“These attractions in conjunction with the unique atmosphere of Haynie's Corner will make the apartments an attractive housing option,” said Axsom. The proposals are due July 11, and Axsom anticipates a decision on awarding the project this fall.
Another opportunity for commercial and residential units will be available when the Evansville Brownfields Corp. demolishes the former Haynie's Corner Drug Store structure at 1022 SE Second St. The site is adjacent to the Maybelle and Montrose Apartments. The original building that housed the drug store was destroyed by fire on March 27, 1944, and no historic integrity remains in the structure on the site today, DMD's Brownfields Coordinator Carolyn Rusk said.
Evansville Brownfields Corp. is also offering for sale three building sites on the first block of Adams Avenue. The vacant lots are located at 65-69 Adams Ave., 74 Adams Ave., and 88-90 Adams Ave. Buyers will be required to build owner-occupied, single-family homes. The homes' exteriors should blend with the neighborhood streetscape and meet established design guidelines. Owners must live in the homes for a minimum of five years, Axsom said.
DMD Interim Executive Director Kelley Coures said the city will be constructing a new public parking lot in the Haynie's Corner area with approximately 50 parking spaces. The parking lot will be located adjacent to the Theatre Gallery at 56-58 Adams Ave., with access off Washington and Adams avenues.
“To encourage growth of new businesses and existing businesses in the Arts District, it is necessary for the City to provide adequate parking in order for them to thrive. The new parking lot will be constructed utilizing federal Community Development Block Grant Funds, and it will be environmentally friendly with pavement, landscape islands and other enhancements,” Coures said.
The parking lot will also accommodate Alhambra Theatre activities at 50 Adams Ave., as well as numerous other events held throughout the year in the Arts District.
Source: The City of Evansville