Mayor Terry Shares ‘Ambitious’ Plan Roadmap for first 100 Days in Office, Makes Available Online

WNIN | By Tim Jagielo

Published January 3, 2024 at 4:20 PM CST

Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry (left) addresses the media with Deputy Mayor Lyndsay Lacosta beside her, Wednesday Jan. 3. Her first full day in office was Jan, 2, and she provided her 'First 100 Days Roadmap' to the media and the public.

Team building, public-private partnerships, improving public trust, addressing ‘critical issues’ such as public safety, infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization top the list

Evansville’s new Mayor Stephanie Terry held a news conference Wednesday in her lightly renovated office, to outline her first 100 days in office.

Her goals for up to early April, include a heavy emphasis on neighborhoods and public safety. She addressed the gathered media and supplied a pamphlet which can be viewed here.

The first major goal is to complete her leadership team which includes department heads such as the police chief and fire chief, which she hopes to announce later this month.

Terry said engaging the community is important.

“During these first 100 days, you will see us begin to address critical issues in our city,” she said from the podium in her conference room. “Issues like public safety, infrastructure improvement and neighborhood revitalization.”

She said she wants to bring back the Traveling City Hall to give convenient access to department heads. And again, a focus on public safety.

“We will establish the first phase of the Safe Evansville Plan, which will take a broad, multifaceted approach to addressing crime in our community,” she said.

Terry has always commended the work of previous mayors, but said she wants to refocus on neighborhoods and areas that have experienced underinvestment.

“I think a lot of times we've heard about development in downtown, but we want to expand beyond that,” she said. “I think I've said it a number of times — there's opportunities for us in every part of our city to do some meaningful development.”

Specifically she mentioned neighborhoods on the north side, and the success of the revitalization of Hayne’s Corner.

“What can we do in the center city of this community? What can we do on the north side … to increase small businesses, more housing, as well as access to jobs and beautification of neighborhoods?”

Still, the development of the 420 Main site downtown is also on her agenda.

“I'm hoping you'll see some activity soon,” she said, when asked about the site that has been delayed by materials and interest rate cost increases. “I think we're very close to making those plans and that the investors and developers are all on the same page.”

Other topics included engaging with surrounding communities, funding the land bank, improving underperforming boards and commissions and an overall fiscal review for the city.

She’s already announced 14 city appointments and expects more this week.

Terry said she has to opportunity to travel with former Mayor Lloyd Winnicke and members of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) to the capitol to meet state legislators. "We want to continue that open dialogue, because again, Evansville is the third largest city in this in this state, and there's no reason why we shouldn't be receiving some of the benefits from our state and federal leaders." Beside Terry is Deputy Mayor Lyndsay Lacosta. — Terry (left) said she has to opportunity to travel with former Mayor Lloyd Winnicke and members of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) to the capitol to meet state legislators. "We want to continue that open dialogue, because again, Evansville is the third largest city in this in this state, and there's no reason why we shouldn't be receiving some of the benefits from our state and federal leaders."

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