News Archive

Matching Assistance and De-Conversion Programs Expand

The Redevelopment Commission's 50/50 Matching Assistance Program within its Revitalization Area has helped well over 100 properties over the past two years improve their curbside appeal by matching up to $3,000 of a $6,000 renovation limit to the fronts of homes.  Its latest matching program to de-convert multi-family homes to single family homes has also taken on popularity.

For a limited time in 2007, a recent partnership of the City of Whiting and the Whiting-Robertsdale Community Improvement Corporation (WR-CIC) has resulted in launching the programs to homeowners for the balance of properties in the City of Whiting.  The matching programs for curbside appeal and de-conversion will now be available to all property owners within the City of Whiting.  The Community Improvement Fund Committee of the WR-CIC with members Mayor Joe Stahura, Marty Jakubowski, Chris Sarvanidis, Darlene Beerling, Tim Mills-Groninger, and John Evanich have creatively provided for the funding of the programs for the area outside the initial Revitalization Area of the Redevelopment Commission.  The City Council has worked to facilitate the support of this program for the balance of the city in response to the needs of their districts.

The Redevelopment Commission will administer the programs on behalf of the WR-CIC, with application review, approval, and disbursement; since they have the most experience with the successful programs.  Applications for the programs are available at City Hall or on the Whiting Website under Forms and Documents.  Questions on the programs can be answered by Brian Lowry at 659-7700.

Bob Kark, Director of Economic Development

Mayor Joseph Stahura will hold a Public Forum on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 6:00 PM.  The Public Forum will take place at the Whiting Community Center, 1938 Clark Street in the Social Room.  The panel will consist of the Mayor and the City Council.  A short presentation will be followed with a question and answer period.  This is a good opportunity to get all your questions answered regarding any city information.

The City has begun a Parking Improvement Project that is very obvious around the Community Center, and not so obvious at the High School Football Field. Both areas will be reconstructed to provide additional parking spaces and to better control traffic flow.

At the Community Center, angle parking will be added along Community Court and Clark Street. There will also be a reconfiguration of the Island at the intersection of Temple and Community Court. When complete, the streets will be freshly paved and striped to compliment the new parking areas around the new Walgreens.

Over at the Football Field, the City will create a new entry to the parking lot from 117th Street. The existing entrance on Center Street will be eliminated and additional parking will be added along Center Street. This improvement will also add spaces in the parking lot, and, after game traffic will be directed from the lot onto 117th Street.

Both areas are currently under construction and are scheduled to be completed early in June. This will also enhance traffic safety in the neighborhood on game nights.



Exterior Improvement/Multi Family De-conversion Programs

The Whiting Redevelopment Commission has just developed revised guidelines for our matching assistance grants for the redevelopment revitalization area for 2007. As in the past, the Commission will reimburse for front facade improvements, subject to a specific set of guidelines. Also new this year will be a de-conversion program for those building owners that wish to change their homes from multi units to single family homes. Specific requirements are that additional kitchens, separate entrances and separate utility metering must be removed to comply with the assistance grant. There are also specific rules that must be followed as outlined in the application available at the Mayor’s office or on the internet at:

http://whitingindiana.com/intranet/?path=./Applications and Forms/

This new exciting program may offer some tax relief available to assist single family homeowners after the de-conversion is approved by the Assessor’s Office

Construction has begun on the new homes along New York Avenue. The Redevelopment Commission will be building two new single family homes at 1933 New York Ave. (Lot 2) and 1945 New York Ave. (Lot 6). These two homes are the first of five to be built along New York Ave.

These two homes will be three bedroom/three bath with a 22’x 24’ garage and landscaping. The commission has priced the homes at $177,500. The home has been purposely priced below its appraised value; and the owner can apply for three year tax abatement. Coincidental to this construction, New York Avenue is to be reconstructed from Fischrupp Avenue through 121st Street this summer.

This is a good starter home or an opportunity to downsize from a larger home to a more reasonable new home with fewer maintenance issues. Whatever the needs may be, the commission is willing to work with future buyers with various plans. These homes can be purchased upon completion or purchased during construction. The remaining three starts also can be purchased in the same way or through arrangements with the builder to build as a home of their own design subject to commission approval.

If you are interested in looking at the plans, you can come to City Hall and see Bob Kark, or call the builder directly, Hennessey Homes 219 663 2960. If you have any questions call Bob Kark at 219 659 7700.

Bob Kark
Director of Economic Development
City of Whiting

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