ECONOMY STRATEGIES
MAIN STREET ACTIVATION
NOCO MAKERS DISTRICT
INCENTIVES & POLICIES
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Develop an incentives tool box and identify what tools and resources are best suited to specific projects. Tools can include:
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Designate an “entertainment district” where regulatory and financial incentives encourage investment of all kinds. Initially concentrate on the blocks between 2nd and 6th and extend to Riverside and MLK once a critical mass of activity is established.
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Develop the park at 4th & Main Street to drive activity and investment (see “Experience section for more complete description).
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Repair and maintenance of street • furniture, lighting, and other amenities to enhance the pedestrian experience.
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Develop strategies to recruit new culinary talent and nightlife options to the downtown core.
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Public Art.
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Relax zoning code regulations within the district so a mix of uses and building styles and types is encouraged; Determine applications/ criteria for tax phase-in. Explore partnerships with the Medical Campus, Ivy Technical College, University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana to nurture local talent and collaboration. Outreach to the manufacturing industry and the community at large to determine the level of interest in pioneering within the District. Develop marketing strategies for NoCo properties with owners and commercial brokers.
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Regulatory relief. Relaxed design guidelines where appropriate. Tax phase-in to support and incentivize housing development, an active entertainment district and bring NoCo to life. Liquor license reform . TIF. Incentivize housing development. Façade loans/grants. City process assistance and simplification. Marketing support and Downtown Evansville ‘branding’ through the Evansville Downtown Alliance/ EID. Encourage the creation of a ‘model’ creative office to encourage leasing of class B office space.
PARTNERS/POTENTIAL: ERC, City of Evansville, Downtown Alliance/EID, Business community and downtown property owners, Regional Cities, Arts Council, TIF, financial/regulatory incentives TBD QUICK WINS: Revise tax phase-in criteria to incentivize residential and other investment; revise land use regulations for activation districts to allow for mixed use, greater density and more flexibility.
ACTION PLAN 58