Community plans new housing development after pandemic setbacks

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a collaborative proposal with Elkhart County and Saint Joe County aimed at securing funding for housing development. The initiative seeks to address housing needs by leveraging a previous grant opportunity from the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority, which had been set at $1,007,000 for the construction of ten homes in Bourbon, Plymouth, and Argus.

However, the project faced significant setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted construction plans and led to difficulties in finding contractors willing to meet rising inflationary costs. As a result, the grant was ultimately declined.

In a positive turn of events, the community received a donation from the Delp family, which includes the remainder of the Nylor subdivision located east on Baker Street, across from Riverside School. This donation is pivotal as it allows for the development of at least 12 building lots designed for mixed commercial and residential use.

Officials are currently working on defining the boundaries of the subdivision and addressing various lot trading and boundary issues. The next steps involve presenting the replatting plan to Plymouth's technical review team, with hopes of moving forward to reapply for funding from the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority. This renewed effort reflects a commitment to enhancing local housing options and revitalizing the community.