The Evansville City Council voted Monday night to expand the Jacobsville Redevelopment Area a few blocks west. The plan received pushback from some councilmembers but ultimately passed by a 6-3 vote.
The designation would, among other things, allow bars and restaurants in parts of the expanded area to purchase a three-way liquor license—to serve beer, wine, and spirits—at a steep discount, $1,500 compared to $50,000.
Part of West Franklin Street, east of Pigeon Creek, would become a part of the redevelopment area, along with surrounding blocks.
Department of Metropolitan Development Executive Director Kelley Coures says the area has a high poverty rate, around 40 percent.
"Any economic activity, any increase in revenue, jobs, business that we can bring into that area would be welcome, I would think, so that people could find jobs," Coures says.
Three councilmembers voted against the measure. Among them was councilwoman Missy Mosby, who says she took an oath to her constituents in the second ward, which is not in the redevelopment area.
"I’m not saying that that area didn’t deserve it at all, and I know it’s state regulated on where those boundaries can be," Mosby says. "But I just felt like it wasn’t fair to some of my business owners and people doing development in the second ward."
Councilmen John Hayden and Justin Elpers also voted against the resolution.
The proposal now heads to the Evansville Redevelopment Commission for final approval.