Redevelopment director updates commission on High Point Station, Muncie Inn sale and other projects
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Summary
Redevelopment Director Jeff Howe told the Muncie Redevelopment Commission on June 26 that the city is advancing multiple downtown projects, including a proposed High Point Station mixed-use development and private renovation of the Muncie Inn.
Redevelopment Director Jeff Howe gave a wide-ranging update to the Muncie Redevelopment Commission on June 26 covering downtown housing, the Muncie Mall, and several other projects.
Howe said a proposed mixed-use project called High Point Station would include 54 market-rate apartments and about 15,000 square feet of commercial and restaurant space and that the city was finalizing an economic development agreement with the developer. “We are hopeful for a press release soon,” Howe said. He described the site as a gateway to downtown and said the project combines residential, commercial and green space.
On the downtown hotel/apartments front, Howe said the Muncie Inn was privately purchased by out-of-Indianapolis hoteliers who plan a full renovation; the city did not participate in the sale. Howe described the new owners as experienced hoteliers and said the administration had met with them to discuss renovation plans.
Howe reported the senior affordable-housing initiative was unable to assemble the necessary properties in time to submit an application for housing tax credits this year; staff plan to continue land-assembly work to be ready for next-year applications. He said some parcels that might have helped scoring were tied up in tax-foreclosure histories and that the commission had worked with the land bank to try to assemble the needed lots.
Howe said the commission is in early talks with two credible homebuilders about two potential subdivisions totaling about 145 homes with likely price points between $300,000 and $400,000, and that he remains in regular contact with economic-development partners and Ball State University about village-area projects and townhomes (a recent groundbreaking was noted). He emphasized these efforts are at differing stages and contingent on external funding and developer decisions.
Howe also said the commission continues to seek state REDI funding and other grants for large projects and that work on the Muncie Mall remains under engineering review while developers and retailers consider options for outlots. Howe closed by reiterating that many initiatives will take time and that staff is focused on capital-stacking and aligning private and public investments.