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?
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