Developing Owensboro

The Greater Owensboro region is currently undergoing a series of major development project that will totally transform the region over the next 10 years.

The following are current or planned developments that will in under construction between now and 2015:

• Riverfront Development Project- a $40 million federally funded redevelopment of the Ohio River bank in downtown Owensboro from the River Park Center in the east to English Park in the west. The project will include green space, a signature fountain, and river walk. Project is expected to be completed by 2010.
• The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. in conjunction with the Downtown Development Authority have proposed an aggressive implementation initiative for the future of the region. The "Economic Development through Place Making" initiative will help make Owensboro competitive in the race for talent and investment in the coming years.
  
  While many studies have been done about downtown, what has been absent is an action-oriented implementation plan. Work of this level of expertise and scope has never been done before in our community. When complete, this initiative will present a step-by-step action plan for revitalizing downtown and promoting other growth corridors through:

· New pro-growth policies and incentives
· Comprehensive regulatory and code reform
· New design and venues with fiscal guidance as to how to leverage public funds for certain projects that can make them a catalyst for future growth.

• Owensboro Medical Health System new hospital development- a $400 million development will replace the current medical facility. The hospital currently has the Pleasant Valley Industrial Center on the east side near the planned US 60 By-Pass extension under option for the construction of a new 400 bed facility that would significantly expand the hospital as a regional medical center and add nearly 800 jobs.
• Advanced Technology Center at Owensboro Community and Technical College is a $14 million state-of-the-art high tech center that will specializes in advanced manufacturing and engineering technology with a state-of-the-art rapid proto-typing center.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport serves a large portion of mid-western Kentucky and southern Indiana by providing the residents of this region access to the national air transportation system. In late 2007 the airport will complete the construction of a runway expansion project extending the main runway to 8,000 feet, the second longest in Kentucky.
• Proposed Northwestern Regional Postsecondary Education Center- the Daviess County Fiscal Court has purchased property across from the Owensboro Community and Technical College to create space for expanded public postsecondary education opportunities in the region. The multi-building campus will enable Western Kentucky University to expand its offerings.
• US 60 By-Pass Extension Project- Plans are underway for a new 3.4-mile U.S. 60 bypass extension on Owensboro's east side. The nearly $75 million extension is being funded by the federal and state government. The bypass will tie into the new U.S. 60 that leads to the Natcher Bridge, creating a new corridor that connect I-64 in the north to I-65 in the south. Construction on the east end of the bypass is expected to begin in 2008 with the entire project completed in 2011, which is the same time the new U.S. 231 should be done.
• Gateway Commons is a $390 million retail and commercial development off Highway 54, with plans to include a hotel, convention center and arena. The Owensboro City Commission approved the project for submission to the state as a Signature TIF development.
  
• New US 231- the Natcher Bridge was the first step to link western Kentucky to I-64. The second link is a new 22-mile, four-lane U.S. 231 from the bridge north to I-64. The highway is being built in seven segments with traffic already using the southern most section. Work is now underway on the northern part and new interchange with I-64. Indiana adopted a new road plan in early 2006 that projects the new U.S. 231 to be done in 2011.
• English Park Marina- as part of the Riverfront Development project, an inland harbor and marina with seasonal boat docks will be built at English Park near downtown.
• Downtown Redevelopment- the Downtown Development Corporation has recently submitted an ambitious plan for redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Owensboro with a focus on entertainment, the arts and residential developments.