Comments On The University Parkway Corridor Plan

Comments on the University Parkway Corridor Plan

Submitted By Members Of The Westside Improvement Association

The mission of the Westside Improvement Association is “To enhance the natural environment of the west side of Vanderburgh County and serve the common good of its residents by exerting influence on public and private sectors”.

Accordingly, several of our members attended the stakeholder and public sessions held regarding the USI Parkway Corridor Plan. We were impressed with the professional and thorough presentations provided by the speakers and respectfully offer our comments regarding the University Parkway Corridor Plan.

Since development of University Parkway Corridor is inevitable, we commend the County Commissioners, Area Plan Commission (APC), Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and their consultant, Rundell Ernstberger Associates, for creating a plan to guide that development.

The Aspects Of The Plan Which We Believe Are Critical include The Following:

Require Use and Development Commitments on rezonings;
Disallow “leap-frog” development;

Limit development to residential and light commercial;

Require all development to be built as approved by the Site Review Committee with no “after the fact changes”;

Require landscaping and provisions for wildlife;

Size all infrastructure to accommodate future growth rather than current conditions;

Disallow additional intersections;

Install turn lanes at every intersection;

Install acceleration / deceleration blisters at every intersection;

Minimize traffic signals;

Minimize night lighting;

Require adequate drainage;

Require developments to be pedestrian / bicycle friendly;

Provide for connectivity between developments; and

Require greenspace and set “high-end” aesthetic design standards.

In addition, we believe that tax phase-ins should not be used to entice developers and that any infrastructure improvements necessary to accommodate a planned, new development be privately funded, rather than using county funds.

Finally, even the best plan is worthless if it is not followed. The west side of Evansville has been disfigured by inappropriate, poorly constructed, thoughtless development which was approved by our elected officials. With the University Parkway Corridor Plan, we have an opportunity to “do it right”.

We sincerely hope that the plan, when finished, will be respectful of the land, residents and wildlife. Moreover, we trust that our elected officials will adhere to the plan rather than capitulate to developers.

The University of Southern Indiana attracts students and visitors from around the world; the University Parkway should be a showcase – an economic development tool, a lovely “Welcome” mat for students, visitors and residents. If the developers and elected officials are mindful of neighborhood needs, the lovely terrain, the rural feel, and the overall opportunity this area represents, the University Parkway can be an example of a beautiful purposeful design that is for the people and family friendly. This hasn’t been seen on the west side and in very few other parts of Evansville. Let’s do this right the first time.

FOOTNOTE: The Above Comments Were Submitted By Members Of The Westside Improvement Association.