White Lake Community Council asks Delaware County for $300,000 toward East‑side redevelopment project
Loading...
Summary
White Lake Community Council requested a $300,000 multi‑year contribution from the Redevelopment Commission to close a roughly $500,000 fundraising gap on a planned $4.5 million redevelopment and resource hub on Muncie’s East Side; the Commission tabled the request pending municipal funding checks and additional information.
White Lake Community Council director Ken Hudson asked the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission on Oct. 9 for a $300,000, multiyear investment to help complete a two‑phase redevelopment of roughly five acres on East Centennial Avenue.
Hudson said the project’s original estimate is $4,500,000 and that the Council has raised about $4,000,000. He told commissioners that one major funder, United Way, is committed to $1,500,000 and that the group has about $2,100,000 in liquid funds available now. Hudson said a recent roof reassessment added roughly $85,000 to the project’s cost and that the Council is pursuing bridge financing and other institutional support to close the remaining gap.
The redevelopment would convert three existing buildings into a multi‑tenant resource hub that Hudson said will include a community health center (to be operated by Open Door), a commercial kitchen, youth mentoring and STEM space, a food pantry and offices for partners such as the Delaware County Health Department and PathStone. “Our goal with this redevelopment project is to break the cycles of poverty that exist on the East Side and stabilize the East Side of Muncie,” Hudson said.
Commissioners pressed for additional municipal coordination and funding information. Commissioner questions focused on whether the project duplicates other neighborhood centers, the project’s sustainability, and which municipal entities have been approached. Hudson said the organization has solicited support from the City of Muncie (including earlier ARP funds), the Ball Brothers Foundation, the Community Foundation, and expects further city contributions in future budgets. He also said the group is exploring a gravel access road through adjacent wooded land to avoid traffic congestion during pantry distribution days.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to table the request so the Council could “exhaust the municipal opportunities” and return with more information about how the project would fit with city and county funding. The motion to table carried on a roll‑call vote.
The Commission did not commit funding at the meeting; members said the ask is substantial and they want to review available TIF resources and what the Muncie Redevelopment Commission may contribute before deciding.
Hudson provided a packet of materials and said the Council will pursue further municipal engagement and financial commitments before returning to the county commission.
The Redevelopment Commission took no funding action at the meeting; it voted to table the request pending further information.
