GAGE Divisions
Divisions of GAGE
Downtown Evansville today still draws much of its character from the scenic riverfront, which features a beautiful walking & biking path and a terraced amphitheatre with a boat docking facility. Residents and tourists alike are drawn in numbers to this park-like setting that offers endless views of both the Ohio River’s breathtaking vistas and the city’s most imposing structures.
An historic World War II battleship and Indiana’s first riverboat casino are docked at opposite ends of the riverfront.
The focal point of Downtown Evansville today is the section of Main Street that was once a serpentine pedestrian walkway devoid of traffic. Though still bearing the designation “The Walkway, a single lane of traffic has returned to this section of Main Street where restaurants, entertainment venues, unique shops and retail stores have been created. Art galleries, museums and college-level classes are now featured throughout Downtown Evansville.
The EvansFests division of GAGE focuses on planning exciting and entertaining events in order to lure visitors to Downtown throughout the year. Farmers’ markets, jazz festivals, outdoor movies & dancing, concerts and parades showcase the Downtown as an entertainment venue.
More than 200 condo or loft living spaces have been created in Downtown Evansville since 2004 through the concerted efforts of city government and developers who realized the potential in the second and third-story floors of historic buildings.
And the future holds the promise of more excitement and opportunity! An 11,000-seat multi-purpose arena and a new 250-room hotel are beginning to take shape Downtown and should be completed in late 2011. The potential held by these projects has already spawned associated development in the form of new restaurants and entertainment venues nearby. Other existing Downtown establishments are making plans to expand to take full advantage of the increased number of visitors to the area.
The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE), through its Downtown Development Committee, has put more impetus behind its mission to serve as both the advocate and one-stop resource for the center of the city. Supporting robust commercial, retail and residential development, and cultivating an environment that is conducive for expanding these activities are among GAGE’s core objectives. The mission to identify and attract businesses that complement those already located Downtown is also underway.
Along with our partners in government and the private sector, GAGE is working to create a vibrant Downtown that is the destination place for entertainment, shopping, living and operating a business!