River Vision FAQ

The Ohio River Vision is a long-term regional plan to enhance the Ohio River corridor in Southwest Indiana. The initiative focuses on improving riverfront access, recreation, quality of life, and economic development opportunities while celebrating the region’s connection to the Ohio River.

The vision includes catalytic projects, public spaces, recreational amenities, and infrastructure improvements that will strengthen the riverfront across multiple communities over the next decade.

Absolutely! And public involvement will continue throughout this decade-long effort.

In 2023, a series of in-person community visioning sessions were held to gather feedback from residents across the region. In addition, an online survey was launched and promoted for several months, generating responses from more than 10,000 local residents.

The planning process also incorporated community data collected by Leadership Everyone, which has conducted long-running community surveys on regional priorities and quality of life.

Together, this input helped shape the Ohio River Vision by identifying the amenities, improvements, and investments residents would most like to see along the riverfront.

Projects within the Ohio River Vision focus on improving the riverfront experience for residents and visitors. Examples include:

•Riverfront parks and public gathering spaces

•Trails and improved connectivity along the river

•Recreation amenities such as docks, overlooks, and green space

•Infrastructure improvements supporting waterfront access

•Economic development opportunities near riverfront districts

These projects are designed to enhance quality of life while encouraging tourism and investment in riverfront communities.

•33 acres of new and enhanced downtown green space along the riverfront, significantly expanding public open space and access to the Ohio River

•800+ trees planted to strengthen the urban tree canopy, improve environment resilience and enhance long-term quality of life

•1 mile of new multi-use trail delivering improved waterfront access and connectivity (Bend multi-modal path), plus an additional 1.3 miles of secondary and tertiary pathways supporting walkability and active transportation

•Public restrooms, on-street parking, pavilion, waterfront dining, flexible lawn, and stage space, climbing wall, terraced overlooks, marketplace space, an enhanced Mickey’s Kingdom, and multi-sport court (2 full-size basketball courts, 4 half-size basketball courts, 2 pickleball courts, bocce court, handball court, and table tennis)

Flooding is a key consideration for any riverfront project along the Ohio River, where water levels can fluctuate by roughly 40 feet throughout the year. Because of this, flood resilience has been a central focus in the development of the Ohio River Vision.

Design strategies emphasize:

Flood-resilient materials and infrastructure

Flexible public spaces that can safely withstand periodic flooding

Ecological restoration that works with the river’s natural cycles

Maintenance approaches that allow areas to recover quickly after high water events

By planning for the river’s natural fluctuations, the Ohio River Vision prioritizes safety, durability, and long-term stewardship of riverfront spaces.

Planning and design work for the Ohio River Vision has been funded through the READI 1.0 grant program from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. These state funds are highly regulated and awarded through a competitive scoring process. The Ohio River Vision planning effort met the program’s criteria and has been administered by the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership on behalf of Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

As projects move from planning to implementation, additional funding will be required. The Ohio River Vision is designed to leverage a combination of public and private investment over time.

Potential funding sources include:

•State and federal grants

•Regional economic development initiatives

•Philanthropic contributions and foundation support

•Private sector partnerships

•Legislative appropriations

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Using multi-funding sources allows projects to advance strategically while maximizing regional investment and minimizing the burden on any single funding stream.

As part of the schematic design process for the Ohio River Vision, a traffic and transportation study is being conducted to better understand current traffic patterns and identify opportunities to improve safety and connectivity.

The goal is to transform Riverside Drive into a safer, more multimodal corridor that accommodates vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other forms of transportation. By doing so, the plan aims to maintain necessary traffic flow while creating a more walkable, accessible, and connected riverfront for residents and visitors.

Design decisions will be guided by the results of the transportation study to ensure that any improvements balance mobility, safety, and access to the riverfront.

Of course! We want to create an environment that is welcoming and accessible to all, no matter their ability.

The Pagoda is an iconic and historic gift from/in honor of our sister city Tochigi Japan. It will remain right where it is with hopes that new life will take shape as growth begets growth.

This isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. The riverfront along the Ohio River is currently underutilized, and community surveys, planning studies, and public feedback consistently point to the need for a balanced mix of greenspace, amenities, dining, and residential development to create a vibrant and active waterfront.

Housing helps support that activity by bringing residents to the riverfront year-round, which in turn supports parks, trails, restaurants, and public spaces. The goal of the Ohio River Vision is to create a lively riverfront district that includes both accessible greenspace and thoughtfully integrated residential development.

Proposed residential concepts currently include:

Walnut Street multi-story residential: approximately 145 units (a mix of apartments and townhomes) with approximately 220 parking spaces located within a podium and below-grade parking structure.

Southern townhome development: approximately 34 townhomes (12 small, 12 medium, and 10 large units) along with shared community space.

These concepts are intended to complement new public spaces and riverfront amenities while helping activate the area throughout the day and year.

Cleanup and maintenance will be a shared responsibility. As part of the schematic design process for the Ohio River Vision, the project team is working with a programming and operations consultant, as well as an economic planning consultant, to better understand long-term operational needs, maintenance costs, and management responsibilities. This planning process will help determine the most effective structure for ongoing maintenance, including coordination among local partners, public agencies, and organizations responsible for riverfront operations. The goal is to ensure the riverfront is designed with durability, flood recovery, and long-term stewardship in mind.

It’s an important question. The funding currently being used for the Ohio River Vision comes from the READI 1.0 program through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

These funds are restricted specifically for economic development and quality-of-place projects, such as parks, public spaces, housing, and infrastructure improvements. By law and program guidelines, they cannot be used for direct financial assistance or social services.

Investments in quality-of-place projects are intended to support long-term regional growth by improving community amenities, attracting residents and businesses, and strengthening the local economy. At the same time, other programs and resources exist at the local, state, and federal levels to help address financial challenges faced by residents.

The Ohio River Vision is intended to deliver long-term benefits to Southwest Indiana, including:

•Enhanced quality of life for residents

•Increased recreation and outdoor opportunities

•Stronger tourism and visitor experiences

•Economic development and investment along the riverfront

•Greater regional connectivity between communities By working together as a region, riverfront communities can create a stronger and more vibrant corridor along the Ohio River.