EVANSVILLE, IN – The City of Evansville will launch a branding initiative during the second Neighborhood Workshop hosted by the Haynie’s Corner Arts District. The meeting will be held in collaboration with Bernardin, Lochmueller & Associates, Inc., and the Sustainable Evansville Area Coalition (SEAC) on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Center of Hope Church, 808 S.E 3rd St.
The Evansville Department Metropolitan Development (DMD) will spearhead the branding initiative through a partnership with the urban public design firm w/purpose. The branding and Neighborhood Workshop initiatives are both funded through federal planning grants and seek to collaborate on urban development strategy around the Haynie’s Corner Arts District.
The SEAC team will present draft recommendations from the first Neighborhood Workshop and facilitate a discussion about what residents would like to see in the community. The w/purpose branding initiative will work over a six-week period to interview residents, advocates and community leaders. The branding project will include video shorts, interactive map exercises, logo and brand creation, signage and banner design, and other urban design elements.
Department of Metropolitan Development Executive Director Philip Hooper said implementing these strategies will help attract businesses, residents, and tourists to the area. He said the area is gaining the attention of professional artists and artisan boutique owners such as Mary Allen, owner of Soap Solutions, a business specializing in handmade soaps. Her home at 44 Washington Avenue features a work space as well as the business’s first retail store. With a successful soft opening on Small Business Saturday (November 24) under her belt, the response of her patrons has been positive.
Hooper said artist Anna Maria Whetstine recently worked with DMD on a plan to convert a vacant single-family home at 22 Jefferson Avenue to a mixed-use property where she will house her art gallery along with rentable studio space on the first floor and live in an apartment on
the second floor. Whetstine has begun preparation for construction and hopes to be ready for studio tenants in fall 2013.
“We’re committed to continue the momentum of utilizing arts as a catalyst of community renewal in Haynie’s Corner,†Hooper said. “With the new movement and growing interest we are seeing, it is a perfect time to be working in partnership with w/purpose and the folks at Bernardin, Lochmueller & Associates who are leading the SEAC planning process.â€
The public is encouraged to attend the meeting and participate in the discussions. A light breakfast and refreshments will be served. Comments may also be submitted via email to Bob Grewe at RGrewe@blainc.com or by calling 812.479.6200 ext. 168.
