Evansville Redevelopment Commission Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Evansville Redevelopment Commission met on July 7, 2026, to elect a new secretary, approve routine financial items, and advance several redevelopment projects, including the creation of a new tax increment financing (TIF) area for the Cargus redevelopment and an economic development agreement for an affordable housing project.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the June 16, 2026 meeting were approved as presented, with a note that a reference to "code enforcement" in resolution 26 ERC 14 should have been "building commission."
• The accounts payable voucher for raising buildings at 305-309 North Maine was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the public hearing or the general meeting.

Discussion Items

• Election of Secretary: Darren Morley was nominated and unanimously elected to fill the vacant secretary position following Hope Fussner's resignation.
• Resolution 26 CRC 16 (Cargus Economic Development Area): The commission held a public hearing on the final step to establish a new TIF allocation area for the former Cargus furniture factory property. The declaratory resolution had previously been approved by the commission and city council. The project, in the works since 2022, involves significant interior work and is expected to finish by end of 2026 or early 2027. The commission unanimously approved the resolution.
• Resolution 26 ERC 17 (Pledge of Tax Increment Revenues): This resolution pledges tax increment revenues from the Cargus allocation area to support a developer-purchased bond (up to $6 million) for the project. Commission members clarified that the pledge is not an obligation of the city; any shortfall would not be covered by the city. The total project cost is approximately $30 million. Unanimously approved.
• Resolution 26 ERC 18 (Engage London Witty Advisors): The commission approved a $3,500 contract with London Witty Advisors for services related to the bond issuance for the Cargus project. Unanimously approved.
• Resolution 26 ERC 19 (Hafer Associates Design Services): The commission approved a design services agreement with Hafer Associates for conceptual drawings and highest-and-best-use analysis for the 301-309 North Main Street property in the Jacobsville area, following demolition of existing buildings. The timeline for construction is at least a year away, with a potential bid release around mid-2027. Discussion included the commission’s role in demonstrating continued commitment to the area and the possibility of housing, given low vacancy rates. Unanimously approved.
• Resolution 26 ERC 20 (Crawford Door Economic Development Agreement): The commission discussed an economic development agreement for the Crawford Door affordable housing project at 1701 North Heidelbach, a 134-unit multifamily tax credit project developed by House Investments. The city’s contribution was increased from $1.15 million to $1.28 million using Jacobsville TIF funds, with a total city commitment of $2 million from various sources. The project includes a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement approved by city council. Some blanks in the agreement (costs, dates) were noted; the commission approved the resolution with the caveat that if blanks are filled significantly different from current expectations, the agreement would return for reapproval. Motion carried.

Key Outcomes

• Darren Morley was elected secretary of the commission.
• Resolution 26 CRC 16 approved by voice vote (all in favor).
• Resolution 26 ERC 17 approved by voice vote (all in favor).
• Resolution 26 ERC 18 approved by voice vote (all in favor).
• Resolution 26 ERC 19 approved by voice vote (all in favor).
• Resolution 26 ERC 20 approved by voice vote (all in favor), with the stipulation that any substantial changes to blank fields be brought back to the commission.
• The commission noted that a quorum will be present at the next meeting to handle any needed clarifications on the Crawford Door agreement.