Local blighted sites to be transformed through state program

(BROOKVILLE, Ind.) – Several local projects have been approved for restoration through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). 

The IEDC has approved 17 projects statewide for the READI program.

It represents the first $131M investment from the $250 million Lilly Endowment award to support READI projects that will enhance efforts to improve quality of place and life in communities across Indiana. 

These projects will transform vacant and blighted properties into productive assets such as housing, commercial districts and community hubs.  Here are some of the approved projects:

Brookville

S&W Homes aims to eradicate vacant and blighted buildings from Main Street by 2028.

“This involves acquiring real estate from absentee owners, renovating exteriors/interiors to create move-in-ready spaces to attract new businesses/residents . Properties will be prioritized based on their condition, historical value, and revitalization potential,” project officials said. 

The $2 million project hopes to create 32 commercial spaces and 29 residential units. These units will be designed to attract workforce housing, addressing a significant regional housing gap .

Greensburg

The Greensburg Learning Center project plans to convert unused classrooms in a former elementary school into 168 childcare seats through a partnership with a local provider . 

Also in Greensburg, developers are redeveloping St . Mary’s School into apartments, short-term rentals, and an event space . 

Rush County

In Rushville, the historic Haven School will be transformed into affordable apartments and the vacant Graham middle school lot with apartments/condos .

 In Milroy, the history Milroy school will be repurposed into apartments . In Batesville, the former Ward one -room schoolhouse will be redeveloped into a retail incubator.

County Squire Lakes 

Since court-ordered receivership in 2016 , Country Squire Lakes has invested $11 million in its roads, lakes, blight removal, and private utilities to improve quality of life and desirability. Through voluntary acquisition and demolition, this project will mitigate blight and pave the way for redevelopment in the community . More specifically, the scope of work for this project includes purchasing blighted properties from current owners through voluntary transactions . Purchases will be targeted based on age and condition of the homes . 

“Our goal for this project is to acquire and clean up 43 additional properties,” officials said. 

North Vernon

The Uptown Lofts projects are an adaptive reuse of the former Greathouse Hardware buildings . This project includes transforming the three historic buildings into 16 market rate apartments with additional storefront commercial space with an outdoor courtyard space to activate the Uptown District . 

The City of North Vernon and Indiana Landmarks have been in a long-term collaboration to stabilize and redevelop this site. 

Ironclad Flats will be located on a site which housed several historic buildings until arson took them in 2014 . The site will be redeveloped as market rate rental housing for the region’s professionals with a 4-story building that will create 54 new apartments and commercial space . 

Finally, the Red Men building will also be rehabbed to create a 10 -unit boutique, short -term rental accommodation along with conference rooms and coworking spaces . The project aims to provide high -quality accommodations for visitors, supporting local business and industries.