IS IT TRUE the developers who were planning to renovate the former Old National Bank tower at 420 Main Street in downtown Evansville have run into a snag in getting the project financed?…the 18 story building which has been sparsely occupied and on a starvation level of maintenance since ONB moved out had lots of people excited at the prospect of a $25 Million upgrade to a building that has been “available” for less than $5 Million for over a decade?…this sounds very much like the problems with financing that several hotel proposals ran into during the push for a downtown convention hotel that ended up with a government handout of $20 Million to get the deal moving forward?…it is encouraging that after all of these years that an investment group wants to spend $25 Million to bring the 420 Building into the 21st Century?…when one compares the proposed refurbishment budget to the square footage of the building this $25 Million would be sufficient to do a good job?…what may be  discouraging is that banks must not see the value in the finished product or the financing would be a slam dunk?
IS IT TRUE we wonder when construction will begin to renovate the old vacant downtown YMCA building into apartments targeted for the disadvantaged? Â …we hope that yesteryear’s announcement by the powers that be wasn’t a “pie in the sky” public relations move to convince the taxpayers of this community that downtown EVANSVILLE is on the move?
IS IT TRUE that we have been watching how the “Queen OF WEST FRANKLIN STREET” has been pushing the local Zoning Appeals Board to become more objective and creative when comes to granting variances to new businesses who want to locate on the progressive West Franklin Street? …we are extremely impressed in how Amy Word Smith conducts herself for the public good?  …that Amy Word Smith is extremely creative, intelligent, very personable and fair minded? …all we can say is shame on the Zoning Appeals Board members who were rude towards her?  …the City County Observer gives three (3) cheers to Amy Word Smith for standing up for whats is right? …its obvious that she is the type of person that we need to serve this community in elected office?
IT IS TRUE we would like to thank Ted and Clare Ziemer for the outstanding work they are doing for the St. Vincent Foundation? Â …one year ago they launched the Ted & Clare Ziemer Society at St. Vincent Evansville Foundation ?…they now have over 170 members who have contributed to their efforts and they are just getting started? …that the Ziemer Society is about having fun, while giving back and helping patients at St. Vincent. Â …we give three (3) cheers to Ted and Clare Ziemer for the outstanding work they do for the St. Vincent Evansville Foundation and the people of this community?
IS IT TRUE the developers who were planning to renovate the former Old National Bank tower at 420 Main Street in downtown Evansville have run into a snag in getting the project financed?…the 18 story building which has been sparsely occupied and on a starvation level of maintenance since ONB moved out had lots of people excited at the prospect of a $25 Million upgrade to a building that has been “available” for less than $5 Million for over a decade?…this sounds very much like the problems with financing that several hotel proposals ran into during the push for a downtown convention hotel that ended up with a government handout of $20 Million to get the deal moving forward?…it is encouraging that after all of these years that an investment group wants to spend $25 Million to bring the 420 Building into the 21st Century?…when one compares the proposed refurbishment budget to the square footage of the building this $25 Million would be sufficient to do a good job?…what is discouraging is that banks must not see the value in the finished product or the financing would be a slam dunk?…it will be interesting to see if dreaming of spending $25 Million in downtown Evansville may just be induced by a bowl full of 420?
IS IT TRUE we are pleased with way that County Commissioner Ben Shoulders (D) and City Council members Justin Elpers (R) and John Hayden (R) are conducting themselves in doing the peoples business?
 IS IT TRUE the City of Evansville doesn’t have a revenue problem?  …that the City of Evansville just has a spending problem?
IS IT TRUE that the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission recently approved a request by Vectren to modernize its electric grid over the next seven years and spend almost $450 million to so?… this project will increase the price of electricity in its Southwest Indiana service area?…according to the local media the approved increase will only start out at $1 a month but will increase annually until reaching $16-$17 per month in 2024?…electric rates throughout the nation are rising as energy companies spend millions to upgrade their energy grids, install smart technology and work to maintain reliability for customers?…these rate increases put even more financial pressure on households that are already challenged to pay their utility bills?…while Vectren’s efforts to modernize the grid are appreciated, it must be understood that SW Indiana has many low-wage people who struggle to pay for things like food, heath care, house payments, taxes, and educational costs, especially when their water and sewer rates are rising as well for required infrastructure upgrades?
IS IT TRUE that Conservation officers arrested an Evansville man and female passenger for allegedly being nearly four times the legal alcohol limit while boating naked?  ..this  happened Sunday evening at West Boggs Creek Reservoir in Loogootee?…the test to determine the level of drunkenness administered by the officers registered a 0.3 which is four sheets to the wind beyond the legal limit of 0.08?…the happy drunken sailers were arrested for public indecency as well as separate alcohol charges?…the sounds of music were allegedly heard coming from the Conservation Officers vehicle where the song “What do you do with a Drunken Sailor” was heard meandering through the cornfields?
Todays READERS POLL question is: Do you feel that anyone serving on a public board shouldn’t insult citizens that come before them for an approval of a request?
Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTS†posted in our sections.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
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EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers.
Once again, for those of us who have don’t know, how were the board members rude and insulting to Ms. Smith? This is not a provocative question, it’s an inquisitive one.
agree how was ms.smith insulted………………………that would/should be a big piece of this story………………………………………
disaffected
The treatment of Amy Word-Smith by Joy Payne was rude, improper, and incorrect. Joy Payne commented at least five times that she was “offended” that a business owner on Franklin Street and leader of the Franklin Street Events Association (who have been responsible for bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue over last 3-5 years to Franklin Street) for calling attention to the ignorance of the BZA for refusing to listen to data and facts about the fact that there is no parking problems on Franklin Street
Look at this video, and you can see the total lack of professionalism by Joy Payne:
http://evansville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1642
30:22 Ms. Payne thanks one of the two remonstrators for coming down (this is important)
38:46 Ms. Payne tells me she is OFFENDED that I keep coming to speak about parking, at a meeting that the largest part of its function is to hold public discourse about zoning issues, like parking
So Amy Word-Smith simply posted information about a PUBLIC meeting (or several of them), she expressed opinions on the area she is working on, and has worked on keeping everyone informed on when zoning meetings at BZA and APC were happening, and Ms. Payne is “offended” that a citizen with a vested interest on Franklin Street has informed other citizens of governmental meetings.
Citizen neighborhood advocates are the backbone of land use policy, especially on the local level, and this level of ignorance on the local BZA by Ms. Payne is offensive for those who spend countless hours and decades of devotion to improving the local land use policy and the discourse surrounding it.
I’ve worked on land use on the local and state level for over 20 years, and have watched Amy Word-Smith and her tireless devotion to improving our fair city with a lot of admiration. I wish more people would get as involved as she has.
If not for the tireless devotion of Amy Word-Smith the City would have missed the opportunity to include Franklin Street in the parking study, a study that proved what she and others have been saying all along, that there is NOT a parking issue on Franklin Street.
That last part is VERY critical to the issue. The BZA (well, certain ignorant and rude members) has been seemingly working overtime to suppress business growth and development on Franklin Street with incorrect facts. EVERY decision by the BZA in the last 1-2 years have been based on “parking” and the recent study of parking has proven that there is not a parking problem on Franklin Street, and apparently to Ms. Payne how DARE Amy Word-Smith express thoughts that a citizen has the ABSOLUTE right to express in a public forum.
If others will not say it, I will. Joy Payne, your disservice to your duties and responsibilities to the local Board of Zoning Appeals and Area Plan Commission show you lack the temperament, qualifications, and knowledge that should be expected by a BZA member. As such, you owe it to the citizens of Evansville and Vanderburgh County to tender your resignation immediately for BOTH organizations, and you owe Amy Word-Smith an apology!
Hope that explains the issue
In the study you refer to, wasn’t there some concern expressed in it about residential parking around Franklin Street being adversely effected by businesses along Franklin? I haven’t read the study report, but I have heard this from various sources. Is something like that in the report?
And I heartily agree with you about both Ms. Payne and Ms. Smith. Thank you for the info.
disaffected
There has been some anecdotal commentary over the years regarding that, but the report disproves that vast majority of that. There are always people in residential areas who believe that any parking spots along the street in front of their house are only for them, but if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that “street parking” is a “come first” type of scenario.
Also, if you drive the side streets that are near Franklin Street, there are a huge number of dedicated handicapped spots (marked by signage) for neighbors that truly need parking close to their house. But for most areas, once you are more than a block removed from Franklin Street, parking is not an issue. And the statistics from the parking study (which was from an out of town firm to remove any signs of bias) prove that
Here is the opinion piece Amy Word-Smith posted online:
https://www.facebook.com/amyword/posts/10155797734159452
Watch it here
http://evansville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1642
Marco DeLucio, ZSWS
Resolution on Ordinance Modifying the Public Safety Component of the Expenditure Rate in Vanderburgh County
Mosby, McGinn, Weaver, Mercer, Adams
Finance Chair McGinn 10/9/2017
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Bend over, here it comes.
The Loogootee drunken boater story is hilarious, delightful to see here.
Saw the mugshots of the two “boaters” posted on another site.
The human body is beautiful, but some people shouldn’t be seen with their clothes removed.
Honestly, they only businesses brought to Franklin Street are bars. That is not what most of the west siders want to see their side of town known for. Of course the head of the Franklin Street Assoc. also happens to own a bar there, as well.
Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if she wrote this article, as well. She is all about self promotion. For herself and her kids.
I think there are times that her heart is in the right place and others where it is vanity and attention.
agree I see no insult……………unless ms.smith was looking to have her ass kissed………….and believe me 100% I love big………personalities……………..bars…….bars……and more bars …………..if I lived around franklin st I would be pissed if I had to park blocks from my home …………..I’ll drink to that……….
What the hell are you on? Your comment at first was that you agreed that Amy was insulted, and now you are just the opposite? WTF is up with that?
Damn! I smell resentment at other people’s success from you, Who.
who – I normally do not respond to those who play the coward and hide behind a screen name without having the guts to own their comments as I do. If you wish to insult myself or Amy or any of the other folks who have devoted decades to improving land use in Evansville and Vanderburgh County, then step up to the plate and stop hiding. Otherwise, you’re another gutless troll who really does not deserve an actual answer.
However, since it gives me some fun to prove how wrong and idiotic you are, I’m breaking a policy.
In regards to the stupidity that the only thing coming to Franklin Street are “bars” you are horribly and sadly way off base. For the multiple businesses from St. Joe to Wabash, only 5% sell alcohol, and only 13% would be classified as a “bar.” By the way, there is no such entity as a “bar” in the State of Indiana. Go look it up with the ATC. So to dumb it down for you, who, 5% of the businesses are 21 and over only, and the other 8% are restaurants with a license to sell alcohol. Therefore, who, 87%% of the businesses along that busy Franklin Street corridor DO NOT sell alcohol in ANY fashion. Gee, you look foolish
Furthermore, of the 57 businesses from St. Joe to Wabash, 88% of them close before 6 PM each day. Some of the restaurants in the have variable times of closing, and only 5% of the 57 businesses are open until 3 AM. The 21 and over establishments DO NOT have large floor capacities to allow what most would call crowds. And the majority of those that are open past 6 PM have dedicated parking behind their businesses in dedicated parking lots.
The rest of garbage you spewed about Amy and her dedication to assisting the local community does not warrant a reply to a gutless troll who only wants to throw incorrect insults while hiding. If you cannot step out from being a coward, you do not deserve more of our time.
Put up or shut up
I would love to address all of the issues that you have with my comment, but I have more important things to do than list all of the businesses on Franklin Street.
My comment was speaking of the new businesses “brought” to Franklin Street. If you look at the businesses that you listed, over 85% of them have been there for A LONG time. I am talking about new businesses “brought” to Franklin St since the “revitalization” of Franklin Street began. Most of my family is from the Westside and I can assure you that many true Westsiders are not happy with the direction that Franklin Street is taking. Franklin Street in the day is great! I cannot disagree. I wouldn’t step down there at night, though.
You can name call, if that makes you feel better, but I stand behind my opinion.
You are more than free to spend another few hours coming up with your biased statistics to argue with me about. I assure you, it will be a waste of your time, because I will not be back to this website. It is very one sided and divided the community.
It seems bars/pubs are all that are new on Franklin, and while I frequent the Gerst Haus and have developed a taste for the Pizza Factory, most of my money spent on Franklin is at Paul’s Men’s Wear, Thomas Shoes, Southwest Graphics (grandchildren), Weber’s, and, of course, Rajo’s.
Has anybody determined if there is some relationship, personally or professionally, between Payne and English/Pistons?
And just for the “cherry on top” for who, here is the proof for the statistics. This is for all the businesses from St. Joe to Wabash except three. H&R Block is seasonal and not open the majority of the year, West Side Nut Club, which is a private organization not open to the public (and they own their own lot), and the former Harley Dealership that started the debacle of the BZA inventing parking problems not there,
Close 2 PM – 1 Business
Kite & Key
Close 5 PM – 28 Businesses
Need a Nurse
Professional Eye Care
Southwest Grafix
Old National Bank
Franklin Dentistry
Johnson/Kent Law
Orthodontist
Woolsley Financial
Sweet Peony
Thomas’s Shoes
District 7 Clothing
EVV Print
Shelter Insurance
Jost Insurance
Brucken’s Jewelry
Weber Equipment
First Federal Bank
State Farm Insurance-
Evansville Homes for Rent
American Family Insurance Dustin
American Family Insurance LaBaw
Doctor Office
Medical Equipment
Helfrich Realty
Imagination T’s
Cobbler Corner
Professional Eye Care
ERA
Close 6 PM – 12 Businesses
GreekPalooza
Aqua Pool Care
Thyme in the Kitchen
Tracy’s Attic
Snickerdoodle Art
Resale Shop
Paul’s Menswear
Schon Boutique
Allure Hair Salon
To The Point Massage
Rajo’s Guns
Paul’s Pharmacy
Close 8 PM – 1 Business
Dance Studio
Close 9 PM – 1 Business
The Hub
Close 11 PM – 2 Businesses
Hagedorn’S
Milk & Sugar
Close Midnight – 3 Businesses
Smitty’S
Franklin St Pizza
Gerst Haus
Close 3 AM – 4 Businesses
Piston’s
Riverbend
Franklin St Tavern
Sportsman’S
Enjoy REAL data, not blind and vague comments from who. Or is that whom?
The State Board is taking its slow time doing the City audit. One of their people needs a haircut! Rumor is that Shamoo will be back soon. She was the one who last year wrote up the County for several items without substance and State Board management didn’t do a thing but promote her. Please contact your state rep. and state senator to defund the State Board! The City audit is legally due to be filed on the 30th and they just started it!
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