EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) – From rubble to revitalization. The span of 4years, bookended by 2 rainy days in November, has seen this once empty lot receive a new lease on life. “Honestly, it feels like yesterday that it was a giant pile of dirt, and then a hole in the ground. And then, all of a sudden, it just has been coming through, or coming together, really quickly,” says Your Brother’s Bookstore owner Adam Morris.
Morris opened his downtown shop right before the implosion in November of 2021. And while the lot has dramatically changed, pieces of history are found in his store. “What people may not realize is every day they come in and the door is open, this is what’s holding the door open, is our bricks from 420 Main,” says Morris. “We also have the original numbers from 420 Main.”
Remembering the fall of Evansville’s Old National Bank building
Parking disruptions, closed roads and building vibrations now give way to a nearly complete Vault on Main, a 161 apartment unit project featuring an underground parking garage and retail space, along with an outdoor park. Businesses are hopeful a rush of new residents will fuel the downtown district.
“Honestly, we don’t know what to expect,” says Morris. “I would assume that we’re going to get more foot traffic, I think it’s going to be more people coming downtown. There’s a beautiful park that’s coming in. It just is adding to, just another reason to come downtown.”…