Southwest Indiana projects land READI funding
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
The Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority has awarded more than $6 million in Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration Development Initiative (READI) funding to six projects. The recipients include projects focusing on workforce housing, riverfront development and a nursing program expansion.
The RDA was one of five regions to receive the full $50 million allocation from the $500 million READI program last December. The RDA covers Posey, Gibson, Warrick and Vanderburgh counties along with the city of Evansville.
“We continue to award READI funds to projects that align with our community vision called Talent EVV.” RDA Chair Beth McFadin Higgins said in written remarks. “These projects show that the Evansville Region is positioned for growth, and we are working to build our future through intentional quality of place investments.”
The projects that will receive funding include:
Karges Lofts Workforce Housing (Vanderburgh County)
READI Funding: $3.7 Million
Total Cost: $37,507,921
A 150-unit apartment complex, known as “Karges Lofts”, is being built on on Maryland St., two block north of Franklin St. in Evansville. The RDA says the project will bring restoration to a boarded up, historic property that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places while providing additional housing near major employers such as Berry Global, Deaconess, and Heritage Petroleum.
Regional Riverfront Planning & Activation (Regional)
READI Funding: $1 Million
Total Cost: $4,090,000
The RDA funding will be used for a comprehensive riverfront strategy centered on downtown Evansville, while also considering other downtown riverfronts in Mount Vernon and Newburgh, as well as the Ohio River Bridge Crossing. The scope of the project will include a detailed and phased riverfront strategy that incorporates work from a nationally recognized landscape architect, urban designer, civil engineer, and transportation expert to guide the investment.
USI Nursing Expansion (Regional)
READI Funding: $735,000
Total Cost: $3,047,177
Over the course of three-years, the University of Southern Indiana is expanding the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program by up to 60 students annually for a total of 180 students, along with expansion in other health professions programs. The RDA says the Evansville metro area alone has over 450 openings for registered nurses and expansion of the program will help strengthen the nursing workforce pipeline in our region.
The Landing (Downtown Princeton Housing – Gibson County)
READI Funding: $245,000
Total Cost: $1,224,720
In the heart of downtown Princeton on the square, the Landing is a housing project that will be transformed into 12 units designed to bring continued vibrancy to the Evansville Region’s Downtowns.
Woodmere Dog Park (Vanderburgh County)
READI Funding: $165,000
Total Cost: $ 825,000
This project encompasses the development of a dog park facility within Woodmere Park, located on the east side of Evansville adjacent to the State Hospital Grounds. The Dog Park is three acres of land with the goal of providing a safe opportunity for a free-range activity for dogs and their owners.
Bright Nights in Southwest Indiana (Vanderburgh County)
READI Funding: $125,000
Total Cost: $675,000
The project will add programmable LED lighting technology to southwest Indiana, beginning with a series of four underpass installations beneath the Lloyd Expressway at Fulton Ave., First Ave., MLK Jr. Blvd., and Main St.
The RDA says the Request for Proposals for housing and other quality of place projects are open until December or until all READI funding has been awarded. You can find more information by clicking here.