Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

A major focus of the address was on neighborhood revitalization. Mayor Terry highlighted the city’s Fight Blight initiative, noting that 100 blighted residential structures have been removed, with more in progress, and plans to return cleared land to productive use. She also highlighted Block-by-Block, a targeted effort that delivers coordinated city services directly to neighborhoods while engaging residents face-to-face, resulting in measurable improvements in cleanliness and code compliance. Mayor Terry added that housing development continues to build momentum, with 1,226 units currently under development—representing 61% of the city’s 2,000-unit goal.

Public safety, infrastructure, and quality-of-life investments were also central to the address. The Mayor noted overall improvements in crime trends, including reductions in violent crime and homicides, while recognizing a continued focus on recruitment, retention, and technology- driven tools. She also discussed the transition of EMS services under the Evansville Fire Department beginning July 1 to strengthen coordination in emergency response. Over the past two years, the city has secured more than $40 million in grant funding to support public safety, transportation, parks, and community development projects. Mayor Terry also highlighted continued progress on River Vision, downtown amenities, and the exploration of a future indoor sports facility as part of Evansville’s long-term growth strategy.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.