The city of Evansville will consider in the coming weeks a proposal to empower its land bank to take title and demolish roughly 200 properties. A recent report paid for by the city only bolsters the argument in favor of the action.
"A new report obtained by Eyewitness News shows what Evansville city officials consider a jarring and troubling look at the city's blighted property problem."
The Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development hired Bowen National Research to complete the study, which found evidence of decline on the city's southside, and in the Jacksobville neighborhood. "However, what's particularly troubling for Evansville city officials is that some neighborhoods nearby are also beginning to trend negatively," adds the article.
The study traced negative trends in population growth, homeownership, and home sales "to the pervasive and profound blight problem in the city." As a policy response to the blight problem, the city is expected to consider a land bank proposal that could demolish about 200 vacant and blighted properties around the city. An Eyewitness News report from March provides more details on the land banking proposal, as put forward by Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.
FULL STORY: Study: Impact of Blight Profound, Spreading
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie