Lofts of St. Joseph’s construction underway

Construction on The Lofts of St. Joseph’s officially began with eight ceremonial shovels turning dirt over to celebrate the new senior living community in Huntingburg.

Miller-Valentine Group and TRI-CAP, along with their partners, the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, City of Huntingburg, Dubois County and Old National Bank, are developing The Lofts at St. Joseph’s as a part of the Federal Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program.

The development will involve the renovation and adaptive reuse of a portion of the former St. Joseph’s Hospital and the construction of a new building. The Lofts at St. Joseph’s is for adults 55 and over.

Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner was joined by Congressman Larry Bucshon, Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann’s chief-of-staff Tonya Brothers-Bridge, TRI-CAP executive director Joyce Fleck,Alan Rakowski with the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority; Mike Recker with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, and Old National regional president Thomas Krodel.

“While our agency is better known for helping people than creating housing developments, we have a long history and passion for enriching the lives of our local seniors,” Fleck said. “TRI-CAP is excited to begin our first partnership with Miller Valentine and their staff of experts, to build our area’s newest senior living community.”

TRI-CAP’s partnership in the project was a major factor in the award of the tax credits for the developer. The community organization provided the key role of the local Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) for the application for housing tax credits.

“I am honored to be able to represent Huntingburg at this event,” Mayor Spinner said. “The credit for today’s events goes to each and every citizen that participated in this in some way.”

He also acknowledge all the citizens who had picked up limbs and mowed the grass while the building was empty for so many years.

“This is project one in our Stellar Communities Strategic Plan,” Spinner said. “It is the starting point of a revitalization in our community that is unmatched in our city’s history. Huntingburg is a city like no other. We are a Stellar Community like no other. Today confirms that.”

The Lofts at St. Joseph’s will be the first tax credit development tailored to adults 55 and over in Dubois County.

This community demonstrates the value of the federal housing tax credit program on numerous levels. Primarily, it delivers high quality affordable housing for adults 55 and over in Huntingburg who currently have limited or no affordable housing options.

The Lofts at St. Joseph’s will generate over $3.9 million for the local economy; this includes wages for workers and profits for local proprietors, small businesses, and corporations.

In addition, the project will create 68 new jobs predominantly in the construction sector for local contractors and subcontractors.