City reports new affordable housing, subdivision and Muncie Mall demolition timeline

City staff provided the commission with multiple development updates on May 21, saying recent and forthcoming projects aim to expand housing choices and revitalize commercial corridors.

Staff member Howe said The Allen, an affordable housing development on Kilgore Avenue, held a ribbon cutting and offers 1‑, 2‑ and 3‑bedroom units with in‑unit laundry, free Wi‑Fi, a fitness studio and a pet park. He said a 3‑bedroom, 2‑bath unit there starts at about $975 per month.

Howe described Mason Ridge, a subdivision with about 126 homes where groundbreaking took place a few weeks earlier. He said the builder (named in the meeting) has moved a substantial amount of earth and expects the development to help attract commuters to live inside the city.

Howe also said an economic development agreement for a separate mixed‑use project is fully executed; staff expect 50–60 market‑rate apartments above a ground‑floor commercial tenant. He said the tenant had not yet been selected and staff were working through parking and site layout with the developer and city engineer.

On the Muncie Mall site, Howe said phase 1 demolition is expected to begin imminently with work starting on the Sears and J.C. Penney structures, though some utility issues remain to be worked out; a timeline for phase 2 has not been set because it requires tenant relocation.

Howe said construction permits have been issued for McKinley and that foundations should begin soon. When commissioners asked about the central TIF and sidewalk funding, Howe said roughly $45,000–$47,000 had been paid against an $82,000 allocation and suggested staff would pull controller invoices for verification.

What's next: Staff will supply requested invoice documentation from the controller’s office and return with clarifications on TIF commitments and the mall demolition schedule as those details are resolved.