Progress was the overarching theme of Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke’s State of the City address Tuesday afternoon.
In his speech to members of the Rotary Club of Evansville, Winnecke said the city, which recently turned 207, is improving every year.
"I'm convinced that the city's getting stronger with age," Winnecke said. "With each passing year as your mayor, I sense a more stronger city and a greater vibe."
He said the 526 commercial building permits issued by the building commission sparked a record level of investment at more than $103 million dollars.
Speaking of the city’s ongoing development, Winnecke unveiled renderings from Hafer Associates of the Deaconess Aquatic Center. Work is set to begin next month with the demolition of Garvin Pool.
He also announced that the downtown farmers market would move to the plaza in front of the Ford Center. The market previously said it wouldn’t open for the 2019 season.
The mayor acknowledged a few challenges to the city’s growth. He said he would get to work Tuesday afternoon on an 18-month long overhaul of the city’s zoning codes, which he said haven’t seen a major revision since the early 1960s.
The team will also look at the city’s subdivision ordinance, which he said was rewritten in the mid-80s.
The Vanderburgh County Democratic Party hasn't responded to a request for comment about the mayor's remarks.
