Bedford to Get to Work on Stellar Project
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOfficials in Bedford will break ground next week on the first development related to its 2013 Stellar Communities designation. The $8 million Stonecutters Place Senior Apartments project is expected to be ready for lease by February 2016. September 3, 2014
News Release
BEDFORD, Ind. – The City of Bedford will celebrate the launch of the first Stellar project at 11 a.m. Sept. 12 with a groundbreaking ceremony at the proposed Stonecutters Place Senior Apartments, 16th and K streets.
Through the Indiana Stellar Community Program, the City of Bedford has partnered with Hoosier Uplands and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to develop a housing plan for Lawrence County senior citizens.
Stonecutters Place will comprise 30 apartments. Construction of the new facility will convert the former Carriage House, demolish portions of the Brock & Sears building, and raise an addition in its place. anticipate the project will fulfill the need for suitable and affordable housing for local seniors, particularly those who wish to age in place and require ready access to services.
The project organizers have secured the funding and purchased the properties. The acquired funding totals $8,076,058. The breakdown includes an HUEDC loan for $182,551, an FHLBI-AHP grant for $500,000, a deferred developer fee of $28,495, Old National Foundation gift of $15,000, a general partner gift of $100 and LIHTC equity of $7,349,912.
Finalizing the construction drawings and demolition activity are scheduled to begin Sept. 15, and the state design release and building permits are expected on Sept. 30. The construction process is set to begin Oct 1, and will be completed Oct. 1, 2015, with apartments ready to lease by Feb. 1, 2016.
Housing options for seniors are often limited. Place's strategic location will provide a multidisciplinary approach to assist seniors. From the site’s high visibility to its easy access to multiple amenities, including the library, pharmacies, a beauty shop, bookstore, the Limestone Trail and government services, the apartments will provide a stable, pleasant and unique living environment, and allow seniors the opportunity to maintain their independence in the community for as long as possible.
In addition to creating a safe, affordable housing option for seniors in a downtown setting, the Stonecutters project will restore a historic downtown building, repurpose a vacant, blighted structure, and infill and reclaim a vacant lot for parking for the facility.
Stonecutters Groundbreaking Ceremony:
Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, State of Indiana Lt. Governor
Former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, Radius Indiana President
Matt Crouch, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs-South Central Community Liaison
Kathleen Weissenberger, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Director of Grant Support
State Senator Brent Steele, State Senator for District 44
State Representative Eric Koch, State Representative for District 65
Steve Ferguson, Advisor, Cook Group, Inc. Chairman
Mayor Shawna Girgis, City of Bedford Mayor
Julie Blackwell Chase, City of Bedford Clerk-Treasurer
Jacob Sipe, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Executive Director
David Miller, Hoosier Uplands Chief Executive Officer
Byron Buker, Bedford City Council President
David Flinn, Lawrence County Commissioners President
Jason Mullis, Lawrence County Council President
Gene McCracken, Lawrence County Economic Growth Council Executive Director
Jamie Medlock, Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce President
John Hawkins, Kovert Hawkins Architects
Carla Naum, Milestone Ventures
Ray Walker, Walker Construction
City of Bedford Esteemed Council:
Adele Bowden-Purlee, Bedford City Council
Judy Carlisle, Bedford City Council
Julie Hewetson, Bedford City Council
Michelle Murphy, Bedford City Council
Patrick Robbins, Bedford City Council
Mark Scherschel, Bedford City Council
Greg Pittman, City of Bedford Attorney
Honored Community Partners:
Tony Ravenna, Bedford Board of Works
Gary Pruett, City of Mitchell Mayor
Susan Gales, Bedford Revitalization, Inc. President
Melissa Acton, Deputy District Director for Congressman Todd Young
Mary Anderson, Bedford Historic Review Board
David Jacobs, Bedford Historic Review Board
Rowena Cross-Najafi, Bedford Historic Review Board
Mary Margaret Stipp, Bedford Historic Review Board
Chris May, Lawrence County Commissioner
Bill Spreen, Lawrence County Commissioner
Keith Dillman, Lawrence County Council
Jim Edwards, Lawrence County Council
Mark Mathis, Lawrence County Council
Craig Turpen, Lawrence County Council
Michael Wright, Lawrence County Council
Tonya Chastain, Lawrence County Tourism
Source: The City of Bedford