Evansville-Haynie's Corner Arts District:All it's craked up to be?? (Nashville: crime, mattresses)

[SpoonBread]

I recently stumbled across several websites and article about the Haynie's Corner Arts district and the city's attempts to revitalized downtown. It all sounds very interesting and I'm very curious about it but I wanted to get some information from the people who live in that area and in Evansville over all. What do the locals think of this? Are you excited about it? Do you think it's a big joke/ doomed to fail? I read that they brought in the fella from Paducha, KY that helped to get their "arts district" up and running so I guess that's a good sign?

Any Thoughts?

P.S The sites I found that got me started thinking about it:
WELCOME
It's Evansville — Haynies Corner and Evansville Sitting In A Tree…
Art Calendar | 10 Great Towns for Working Artists by Kim Hall

[Toxic Toast]

I do not live there anymore; but I think this is great. One of things I HATED about Evansville was all the wasted potential I saw; I am glad to see the city start to capitalize on some of that potential. I always thought of that Haynie's Corner as having the potential to be like Indy's Fountain Square.

[SpoonBread]

Great to hear it DC38! I've felt the same way going through similar areas, though I have yet to see E-ville's downtown. The only things I was able to find on this board about the area was that it was Crime ridden and not a pleasant place. I know it's not Mayberry (almost no where is) but there's a broad spectrum between Mayberry to say, the West End of Louisville. I looked at the Crime map for the area and though there was some, It didn't seem much worse than living downtown or "Old Louisville". Any opinions on the crime in the area DC38?
Anyone else care to join in?

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by SpoonBread

Great to hear it DC38! I've felt the same way going through similar areas, though I have yet to see E-ville's downtown. The only things I was able to find on this board about the area was that it was Crime ridden and not a pleasant place. I know it's not Mayberry (almost no where is) but there's a broad spectrum between Mayberry to say, the West End of Louisville. I looked at the Crime map for the area and though there was some, It didn't seem much worse than living downtown or "Old Louisville". Any opinions on the crime in the area DC38?
Anyone else care to join in?

I never thought the crime in that immediate area was that bad. I know someone can throw out some stat and claim it is dangerous, but it really isn't. Now, you head a few blocks north and east and it can get sketchier (but this no different from Indy's Fountain Square or any other urban neighborhood really). Sure, there are old houses, and yes, there are poor people near there; but none of this makes it a dangerous place. I personally prefer the old houses as opposed to the vinyl villages that pop up on the edge of the city. Plus, not to far from there on 2nd Street, there is a great local coffee house, Penny Lane.

[cleoT]

Long, long ago (okay, the 80's) it was known for it's crime. But from what I've understood, they've put a lot of effort into restoring the area. I, myself, would love to know if this is an extension of the annual Arts and Crafts festival, or if the backers are a different group. I'm glad to see the effort.

As you say, no place is Mayberry. I'm with DC38 on the way people throw out negative info. and stats, which can be manipulated to read however you want them to. Evansville was a good place to live when I was growing up, and now it's a great place. I'm moving back this summer (well, north of E-ville, but closer than Podunk, TX ) and I can't wait to visit some of these new places through the eyes of my kids.

[SpoonBread]

Originally Posted by DC 38

I personally prefer the old houses as opposed to the vinyl villages that pop up on the edge of the city. .

I couldn't agree with you more! That is something I find frustrating at times on this board (not just Indiana though!). Seems like alot of people feel that the only "good" or "safe" area to live is in new subdivisions on the outskirts of towns. I am not trying to knock anyone's opinion or point of view, I've just never personally understood it.

I absolutely love old houses and it has been a life long dream of mine to purchase and restore such a house. But unfortunately many have been out of my reach financially or in truly derelict and unsafe areas. I have also been searching for an area/town that I felt valued the same things I do (diversity,creativity,respect and preservation of the past) within a reasonable driving distance of my family. (about 2hrs away from E-ville) Hence the reason for my post.

To CleoT-
From what I understand the creation of an Arts District was initiated by the community and the City as a way of revitalizing the downtown and giving the area an alternative economic base ( art and tourism), similar to what Paducha, KY has done. When a city gets behind something like this it tends to work out much better as opposed to when a community group tries to accomplish the same thing and the local government drags it's feet or fights it tooth and nail.

I hope your journy back is a good one and that you and your family enjoy getting reaquainted with the city!

[travellinpat]

My husband and I moved to Evansville a year ago, in part because of the "Artist Relocation Program." We are artists. We relocated. We're still looking for the "Program."

Evansville is not devoid of arts. But there are 20 or more organizations that have some effect on Haynie's Corner Arts District (HCAD). Government and otherwise. We still haven't sorted it all out.

We bought one of those "lovely old houses" for an incredibly low cash price. We've made some improvements in it. But it's pretty discouraging when:

- people are selling drugs next door
- half the properties on our block are either derelict or vacant lots
- people wander through our lot and give us the finger if we tell them it's private property
- after a year there is still no paying arts work that we can find

We know that these things take time. But when it takes months of squawking just to get the streets swept, and old mattresses get dumped in the vacant lots, and prowlers steal wiring from boarded-up houses down the block, and people fire guns in the middle of the night, are we remiss to think the government will ever get the place cleaned up?

And as for a "local community group" -- I have yet to see anyone get organized and do something. There is a neighborhood group, but it meets once a month, does nothing of consequence and the leadership doesn't even live in the neighborhood.

If you're looking for an "artist's district", you might look at Brown County and Nashville. That's one of their claims to fame.

[Anonymous89]

I'm sorry, I have to completely disagree with you "travellinpat." I grew up at Haynie's Corner. Lived there for nearly 20 years. The area has made such great improvements. Many old houses have been recently renovated, making the area look cleaner and better kept. The fountain area has improved, and the Alhambra (old victorian theater) has never looked better. It is not the greatest place in the world, but you can tell that there have been great efforts within the past few years to get the whole art idea going and it is catching on. Further downtown on Main Street, a new arts council building was designed and I have been somewhat impressed with shows going on in it year round.

As for the gun shots in the middle of the night you are talking about, I have never heard any gun shots in the 20 years I've lived there. There are much more dangerous places to live in Evansville, and I will say that Haynie's Corner/Goosetown apparently used to be very dangerous in the 70's... but that was nearly 40 years ago now.

[SGT. SHLITZ]

I live a block from Haynie's Corner and the crime isn't bad. It's a really fun area to live in. Especially in the summer when there are lot's of art festivals.