Downtown Development :: Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation

DOWNTOWN OWENSBORO TRANSFORMATION

Downtown Owensboro is undergoing a transformation. A new proposed master plan, the result of anintensive placemaking process led by the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. and Downtown Development Corp., will result in a $75 million local public investment over the next 5 years to match the $40 million federal investment in the Owensboro riverfront.

The suggestion of public amenities and private investment in downtown are based on very rigorous economic analysis provided by the Gateway Planning team from Ft. Worth, TX hired by the community to complete the downtown master plan.

Residential Units- approximately 300 to 500 residential units in the downtown core that would promote a walkable urban environment.

New Hotel- 250 to 300 room hotel in the core downtown, which would likely come with a new convention-caliber hotel and replace the Executive Inn.

Multi-purpose Indoor Events Center- approximately 40,000 to 70,000 square feet of convention space in a multi-purpose indoor event center that can accommodate business-caliber conventions and various sporting events, including basketball.

Restore Second Street- creating a pedestrian friendly thoroughfare in the heart of downtown.

Mixed-use office and retail/restaurant space- leveraged across from the riverfront development park along Veteran's Blvd., Second St. and adjacent to the public amenities such as the convention center and hotel.

Farmer's Market- in the downtown core area that could become a year-round amenity as part of a newly created public green that connects the courthouse lawn to the riverfront park.

Riverfront Development- $40 million federally funded riverfront park connecting the River Park Center to the downtown hotel and events center.

Arts Academy- capitalizing on the fine arts education in the local schools, colleges, and universities programmed in conjunction with the River Park Center theatre productions which builds Broadway shows in Owensboro.

To see specific renditions from the Gateway Planning Master Plan presentation, please visit http://www.downtownowensboro.com/