The arch that once sat at the head of Main Street, at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, will now serve as the gateway into Jacobsville. It was removed from Main Street during construction of the Ford Center, and this morning was raised at the corner of North Main and Franklin streets, complete with a new “Welcome to Jacobsville” sign at its peak.

“Strong, vibrant neighborhoods like Jacobsville are the cornerstone of a strong, vibrant city,” said Mayor Stephanie Terry. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Jacobsville today by raising this arch as a new gateway into the neighborhood.”

For the past 12 years, the arch has been at Garvin Park, where the Redevelopment Commission placed it when construction of the Ford Center forced its removal from Main Street. But as redevelopment progressed in Jacobsville recently, city officials began considering creating a new front door to the neighborhood.

While creating something new as a gateway was estimated to cost about $350,000, the estimate to repurpose a piece of Evansville history at the entrance to Jacobsville came in closer to $150,000.

The project was paid via TIF funds.

“When we pitched this idea to the residents in Jacobsville, the response was overwhelmingly positive,” Evansville Director of Metropolitan Development Kelley Coures said. “The archway not only makes a beautiful gateway into the Jacobsville neighborhood, but also pays a beautiful tribute to a piece of Evansville history.”

Media inquiries may be directed to Joe Atkinson, Communications Director for Mayor Stephanie Terry, at 812-305-0534, or jatkinson@evansville.in.gov.