The planning commission approved a resolution recommending that a stretch currently named North First Street, a portion of South First Street and Prairieton Road be renamed Riverside Road, a change the petitioner said is part of a riverfront development master plan.
The petitioner, Riverscape Wabash River Development and Beautification, and the city mayor signed the application; staff said about 90 properties would be notified and that property and business owners would be responsible for updating addresses with banks, utilities and insurers. The petitioner’s representative said the project aims to brand and activate the riverfront and that signs and mitigation for businesses’ costs would be part of implementation.
Several business owners spoke against the change, saying it would impose nontrivial costs and confusion. Steve Clark, owner of Innovative Communication Solutions at 1904 North First Street, said the renaming “will have costs that are gonna go into … I just had a thousand checks printed. I just started a marketing campaign where I have my address printed on a lot of different things. I'm gonna have costs that are gonna go associated with this for no other reason than just so somebody can have a name change to a road.” He and other business owners urged the commission to consider an alias or commemorative signage instead of a legal name change.
Jim Cunningham, owner of Cunningham Vacuum Resources, said he already has printed materials and promotional items tied to his existing address and warned the change could cost “thousands of dollars” for a small business and create customer confusion. Both men noted potential short‑term impacts to delivery and search results.
Representatives for Riverscape responded that the plan is part of a longer‑term effort to create a recognizable river corridor and to drive economic activity. Damien (stated as Riverfront Development Director) said the change helps identify the riverfront as a destination and offered a process to help businesses: an online application to provide invoices and estimates, with “a granting process to help subsidize businesses for some of those costs.” Riverscape also said the petitioner or city would cover costs for new road signs.
Staff noted the petition lists an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, but warned that APC approval makes the change effective immediately and that the agency responsible for notifications would have 30 days to notify affected owners and USPS. The planning commission voted in favor; the resolution now proceeds to the city/county authorities responsible for final action and for notification logistics.