Evansville Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026
Evansville Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026
The Evansville Redevelopment Commission met on September 1, 2026, to approve routine items, authorize repairs for downtown fountains, and review a branding proposal for Ford Center concessions. All consent items were approved unanimously. A resolution authorizing fountain repairs passed, and commissioners offered feedback on the proposed concession rebranding.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of July 21, 2026 Minutes – Approved unanimously.
- Approval of August 4, 2026 Minutes – Approved unanimously.
- Approval of Memo of Executive Session (July 7, 2026) – Approved unanimously.
- Approval of Accounts Payable Voucher Register – Approved unanimously. Vouchers ranged from $12 to $23,000.
Public Comments & Testimony
No public comments were made.
Discussion Items
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Resolution 26ERC26 – Authorizing Repairs for Main Street Fountains Lana (staff) explained that the street maintenance department requested funding to repair two non-operational spray fountains in the 400 and 500 blocks of Main Street (not the historic horse trough fountain). The commission agreed to provide financing; Bungie Associates will perform the work. Work is expected to begin within one to two weeks after issuing the notice to proceed.
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Presentation: Ford Center Concessions Rebranding Rachel Wombach of Sprout Design presented a comprehensive branding plan for the Ford Center's concession and bar areas. The concept uses Evansville-themed names and imagery, such as Crescent City Club, Oxbow Bistro, Barge and Barrel Bar, Wheelhouse, Port and Pillars Pub, Bar at the Bend, Riveter Cafe, Assembly Kitchen, 812 Eats, Pocket City Grab and Go, Crossroads Commissary, and Bolt Bar. Each space draws on local history, river references, and industrial heritage. Commissioners praised the designs and requested the addition of explanatory panels to educate visitors about the historical references, including the contributions of people of color. They recommended consulting local historians and using public domain images from the shipyards and wartime museum. The rebranding is part of a larger renovation that includes new kitchen equipment and grab-and-go technology (zip‑in system). Construction is underway, with completion expected in late spring 2027. Some concession capacity will be lost during construction.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 26ERC26 was approved unanimously (motion made, seconded, all ayes).
- The Ford Center rebranding presentation was received favorably; no formal action was taken, but staff was directed to incorporate feedback on cultural inclusivity and interpretive signage.
Meeting Transcript
Call this September 1st meeting of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission to order. First item of business. We have a couple of minutes to approve here, or minutes from a couple of meetings to approve. The first one are the minutes from the July 21st meeting. Any comments, questions, corrections? Hearing none, got to have a motion. I move that we accept the July 21st meeting. I have a motion to accept. I'll second that. And a second. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Minutes are approved. Next we have minutes from the August 4 meeting. Any comments, corrections, questions? No. Okay. Can I have a motion? I'll make the motion. I'll second it. All right. We have a motion to approve the August 4 minutes is submitted and a second. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay, they are approved. Next, we have approval of the memo of the executive session from July 7th. And as you no doubt saw, just about all it does is tell you there was a meeting, but that's by design. Otherwise, why have an executive session? So any comments, questions about the memo. Motion? Move to approve the motion for uh the executive session. The memo. I'll second that. Yeah. We have a motion to approve the memo of the July 7, 2026 executive session and a second. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. Okay. Approved. Next, we have the accounts payable voucher. Does everybody have a copy? Okay. You can see the items on there. Um small items, $12 all the way up to $23,000. Any questions on any of this? Nope.
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