Blight Elimination in Kokomo

Indiana's Hardest Hit Fund - Blight Elimination Program

Kokomo has received a total of $3,084,000 from the Hardest Hit Fund, which was
established in 2010 by President Obama to help families and communities in areas hit
hard by the economic downturn. States were selected for funding either because they
were struggling with unemployment rates at or above the national average or steep
home price declines greater than 20 percent.
Funds will enable the city to eliminate abandoned and dilapidated houses that are
neighborhood eyesores and driving down property values.
BEP allows the city of Kokomo to address unsafe structures to make residential

neighborhoods safer and more attractive.

Properties and structures eliminated must be uninhabitable, beyond repair and not listed
on any historic register at the local, state or national level.
The State of Indiana's Blight Elimination Program is overseen by the Indiana Housing
and Community Development Authority. A total of $75 million is being distributed
statewide through the program.
First announced in February 2010, the Hardest Hit Fund provides $7.6 billion to the 18
hardest hit states, plus the District of Columbia, to develop locally-tailored programs to
assist struggling homeowners in their communities.
HHF programs are designed and administered by each state's Housing Finance Agency
(HFA). State HFAs have until the end of 2017 to utilize funds allocated under HHF.

Kokomo's other blight elimination projects

Other projects that are part of the effort to eliminate blight include the Kokomo Municipal
Stadium/Flood Mitigation project. The project removed blighted residential properties to
make way for the stadium.
The former Kingston Products factory was turned from blighted property into Kingston
Square Apartments -- affordable housing on Kokomo's north side.
A blighted, nearly abandoned, mobile home park at on W. Markland Avenue is being
converted into new apartment housing.
Another project on N. Apperson Way will replace blight residential and vacant

commercial properties with a 69-unit apartment complex.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28,2014
Contact: Randy McKay
Phone: 765-456-7444
Email: [email protected]

Kokomo Awarded $1.3 to Cleanup Blighted Properties

The City of Kokomo has been awarded $1,330,000 for demolition of uninhabitable structures
throughout the city to help eliminate blighted and abandoned houses.
Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann announced that Kokomo's proposal for funding through the
Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program was approved.

The Blight Elimination Program provides an opportunity for local units of government in all 92
Indiana counties to compete for funding to eliminate blighted, vacant and abandoned houses
and decrease foreclosures. The money is part of a program overseen by the Indiana Housing
and Community Development Authority. A total of $75 million is being distributed statewide.
The City of Kokomo was the only unit of government in Howard County to apply for funding.
"We have been aggressive in the past about addressing unsafe structures in order to make
the City of Kokomo's residential neighborhoods safer and a more attractive," said Kokomo
Mayor Greg Goodnight. "These funds will enable us to address dozens of abandoned and
dilapidated houses that are neighborhood eyesores and driving down property values of
nearby homeowners."
Qualifying properties must be uninhabitable and beyond repair and not listed on any national,
state or local historic register.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2014

Contact: Randy McKay
Phone: 765-456-7444
Email: [email protected]

Kokomo Awarded Additional $1.7M for Blight Elimination

The City of Kokomo has been awarded an additional $1.7 million for its program to remove
blighted and uninhabitable structures throughout the city. The funds will be added to the $1.3
million Kokomo was awarded last year.

Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann announced that Kokomo's second proposal for funding via the
Hardest Hit Fund - Blight Elimination Program was approved. The City of Kokomo has
received a total of $3.084,000 through the program.
The State of Indiana's Blight Elimination Program provides an opportunity for local units of
government in all 92 Indiana counties to compete for funding to eliminate blighted, vacant
and abandoned houses and decrease foreclosures. The money is part of a program
overseen by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. A total of $75
million is being distributed statewide.
"We have been aggressive in the past about addressing unsafe structures in order to make
the City of Kokomo's residential neighborhoods safer and a more attractive," said Kokomo
Mayor Greg Goodnight. "These funds will enable the city to remove more than 140
abandoned and dilapidated houses that are neighborhood eyesores and driving down
property values of nearby homeowners."
Qualifying properties must be uninhabitable, beyond repair and not listed on any national,
state or local historic register.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 2, 2015
Contact: Randy McKay, Director of Operations
Phone: 765-456-7444
Email: rmckay@cityofkokomo,org

New $9.5 Million Housing Development Planned for Kokomo

Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight announced today that The Whitsett Group and Partners in
Housing Development Corporation, Indianapolis based developers, have received approval
from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority for rental housing tax credits
in the amount of $932,001.
Apperson Way Apartments is a 69-unit, three-story housing complex that will be built on the
Near East Side at 600 N. Apperson Way. The $9.5 million project will redevelop three city
blocks and includes plans for townhomes, playground, community garden and picnic area.
"We are very excited about approval of this project," said Mayor Goodnight. "Apperson Way
Apartments replaces a blighted area of the city with a new affordable housing complex. The
development is designed to dramatically transform this important gateway to Kokomo's historic
Near East Side,"
"Apperson Way Apartments is possible due to the City of Kokomo's administration and their
vision for the city," said Joe Whitsett, President of The Whitsett Group. "We are extremely
excited about our investment in Kokomo."
"The redevelopment of the site is a great revitalization project for our community and will be a
much-needed improvement to the district" said Bob Cameron, Second District Councilman.
"This project addresses the need for affordable housing for families, and should act to stabilize
neighborhood property values as well."
Construction on Apperson Way Apartments is expected to begin in fall 2015.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2015

Contact: Randy McKay, Director of Operations
Phone: 765-456-7444
Email: [email protected]

New SS-Unit Housing Development to Replace

Aging Kokomo Mobile Home Park

A Chicago based real estate development company plans an 88-unit duplex community to
replace an aging mobile home park on Kokomo's west side.
JCF Real Estate has purchased the mobile home park, known as Kokomo River Estates,
located at 1500 W. Markland Ave. The company is redeveloping the thirteen acre site into a
duplex housing community.
"This is a great example of a private investor redeveloping an older neighborhood," said
Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. "This housing project by JCF is a strong indicator that our
focus on quality of life improvements is paying off. We are excited to continue to grow Kokomo
by encouraging new market rate housing to serve our increasing population.
The one and two-bedroom units are being designed by JCF Real Estate and will feature open,
park like areas, professional landscaping, on-site storage facilities, and on-going responsive
property management.
"The city's positive economic forecast and quality-of-life attracted us to Kokomo," said Paul
Robertson, JCF Executive Vice President. "We are extremely confident in our investment in
Kokomo. We are excited about developing JCF Residences at Wildcat Creek along the Walk
of Exce"ence and conveniently located near the new Wildcat Creek Soccer Complex."
Construction is expected to begin later this spring.

Recent News:

Kokomo/Howard County Gains Population, Outpaces 55 of Indiana's 92 Counties

Kokomo Ranked on U.S. News & World Report's "50 Affordable Places to Buy a Retirement Home"

New $9.5 Million Housing Development Planned for Kokomo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

February 25, 2011

Contact: Randy Morris, Director of Operations

Phone: 765-456-7444

Email: [email protected]

Private Company Approved for Tax Credits

New $8.5M Housing Development Planned for Kokomo

Mayor Greg Goodnight announced today that Mecca Companies, Inc. has received approval from the
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority for rental housing tax credits in the amount of
$886,551 to develop the $8.5M Water Tower Place at Kingston Square.
"We are very excited about approval of this project," said Goodnight. "It will create a newly constructed
affordable housing complex that will replace a blighted area in a north side neighborhood that the City
has targeted for redevelopment." The area, bounded by Morgan Street, Apperson Way, North Street and
Phillips Street, is currently a target area for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing and
infrastructure improvements. Program income from the sale of rehabilitated homes through the first
round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds will be used to demolish the current
structure. CDBG funds will be used for street and sidewalk reconstruction and additional NSP funding
will be used for rehabilitation of surrounding homes and construction of new homes.
"The redevelopment of the Kingston site is a great project for our community and will be a much
needed improvement to the district I represent," stated First District Councilman Mike Wyant.
Debra Cook, Development Director, explained that leveraging federal funds from CDBG and NSP
programs will create a significant impact on the area. "Not only will new, affordable housing be made
available, but the value of other properties in the vicinity will be improved," he said, "and a bonus for
the city is that local jobs will be created to develop the project."
Kyle Bach, President of Mecca Companies, Inc states, "This development is made possible due to the
City of Kokomo's administration, Department of Development staff and community stakeholders, we
are elated to further our investment into the City of Kokomo."

Public Notice
TO: Citizens of Kokomo, Indiana and All Other Interested Parties
FROM: City of Kokomo
DATE: January 14, 2015
RE: Blight Elimination Program - Notice of Successful Application and Hearing
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

The City of Kokomo applied to the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority's
(HIHCDA") Blight Elimination Program ("BEP"). Our application was successful. We have
received an award of $1 ,330,000. Working in conjunction with the Kokomo Community
Development Corporation, we intend to acquire and demolish several of the following
residential structures:

1002 E Lordeman St
1006 N Purdum St
1009 N Buckeye St
1010 N Purdum St
1012 E Havens St
1015 N Apperson Way
1019 N Purdum St
1021 E Monroe St
1026 N Apperson Way
1028 N Lafountain St
1032 E Dixon St
1047 N Apperson Way
105 W Lordeman St
1101 W Park Ave
1109 S Calumet St
1111 E Jefferson St

1114 N Lafountain St

1210 Tepee Dr

1115 N Lafountain St

1215 N Courtland Ave

1115 N Philips St

1215 N Purdum St

1121 E Lordeman St

1218 Appletree Lane

1121 E Taylor St

1218 N Apperson Way

1125 N Bell St

1223 N Bell St

1127 E Monroe St

1230 E Jefferson St

1127 W Taylor St

1232 N Lafountain St

1129 E Taylor St

1232 N Union St

1134 -1136 S Webster St

1237 N Lafountain St

1135 E Monroe St

1237 N Market St

1135 N Bell St

1239 N Lafountain St

1200 N Be" St

129 W Lordeman St

1203 N Purdum St

1305 E Taylor St

1204 E Taylor St

1306 N Market St

1208 E Taylor St

131 W Lordeman St

1312 N Market 5t

215 Longview 5t

705 E Walnut 5t

1312 N Purdum 5t

2205 N Locke 5t

7065 Webster 5t

1314 E Jefferson 5t

2313 N Plate 5t

707 E Jefferson 5t

1316 E Jefferson 5t

2514 N Buckeye 5t

708 N Bell 5t

1316 N Market 5t

302 5 Elizabeth 5t

708 N Main 5t

1318 N Wabash Ave

3065 Calumet 5t

708 N Purdum 5t

1322 E Murden 5t

308 N Purdum 5t

709 N Bell 5t

1324 N Purdum 5t

3lO 5 Elizabeth 5t

709 5 Brandon 5t

1337 E Taylor 5t

312 N Purdum 5t

711 N Jay 5t

13415 Ohio 5t

314 E Broadway 5t

711 W Park Ave

13515 Ohio 5t

315 N Purdum 5t

712 5 Calumet 5t

1403 N Bell 5t

315 W Havens 5t

713 5 Brandon 5t

1405 N Leeds 5t

340 W Park Ave

715 N Jay 5t

1412 N Lafountain 5t

400 E Vaile Ave

717 E Monroe 5t

1414 N Philips 5t

400 W Park Ave

717 W Preble 5t

1415 N Wabash Ave

401 E Vaile Ave

718 N Morrison 5t

1419 E Monroe 5t

407 N Purdum 5t

721 E Taylor 5t

1420 5 Webster 5t

408 Brave Court

721 N Morrison 5t

1423 5 Main 5t

409 N Purdum 5t

7215 Courtland Ave

1502 N Bell 5t

411 E Monroe 5t

723 E North 5t

1504 5 Cooper 5t

414 W Monroe 5t

723 W Preble 5t

1510 N Purdum 5t

4155 Courtland Ave

725 E Broadway 5t

1525 N Jay 5t

416 E Monroe 5t

725 N Courtland Ave

1528 N Lafountain 5t

509 E North 5t

734 5 Webster 5t

1618 N Apperson Way

515 E Havens 5t

7485 Diamond 5t

1627 5 Union 5t

520 E Gerhart 5t

800 E Taylor 5t

1702 N Jay 5t

520 E Mulberry 5t

800 E Vaile Ave

17135 Market 5t

5205 Armstrong 5t

800 E Walnut 5t

1718 N Webster 5t

5202 Arrowhead Blvd

802 N Main 5t

17195 Purdum 5t

524 E Walnut 5t

803 W Preble 5t

1726 N Philips 5t

524 5 Wabash Ave

807 N Webster 5t

1818 N Leeds 5t

531 E Taylor 5t

808 E 5uperior 5t

1819 N Leeds 5t

5506 Council Ring Blvd

810 N Courtland Ave

1903 N Lafountain 5t

60lO Council Ring Blvd

812 N Purdum 5t

1907 N Apperson Way

603 N Jay 5t

813 N Morrison 5t

1911 N Courtland Ave

607 W Mulberry 5t

814 E Walnut 5t

1919 N Apperson Way

609 W 5praker St

815 W Monroe 5t

1921 N Lindsay 5t

614 E Foster 5t

818 E Broadway 5t

2000 N Apperson Way

614 N Delphos 5t

822 W Monroe 5t

2017 N Lindsay 5t

617 E Jackson 5t

824 W Havens 5t

206 W Broadway 5t

621 N McCann 5t

825 N Jay 5t

2lO 5 Calumet 5t

622 N Webster 5t

825 W Foster 5t

2120 N Market 5t

626 E Taylor 5t

827 W Foster 5t

214 5 Locke 5t

700 N Purdum 5t

903 E Taylor 5t

215 E Vaile Ave

7005 Union 5t

906 E Walnut 5t

908 N Courtland Ave

914 E Superior St

931 E Dixon St

908 N Main St

914 E Vaile Ave

951 E Dixon St

914 E Havens St

919 E Superior St

914 E Monroe St

922 E Mulberry St

The goal of the Blight Elimination Program is to reduce the number of blighted and abandoned
homes in our community and neighborhoods. We believe the acquisition and demolition of
these structures will stabilize neighborhood property values, prevent avoidable foreclosures,
and assist us in our efforts to keep our community and neighborhoods safe. We invite you to
attend a public hearing at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 27,2015 in Council Chambers in City
Hall, 100 S. Union St., to discuss the positive impact this program will have on our community.

If you have questions about a specific property listed in this notice, please contact, Jennifer
Jordan at 765-456-7375. If you have questions about the Blight Elimination Program, please
feel free to visit http:/www.877GetHope.org/blight or email [email protected].