Southside Muncie to get development lift with new home store, apartments

MUNCIE — Muncie City Council has approved resolutions for property tax breaks for two new developments on the south side of the city.

The now-vacant area where a hotel stood for decades at Madison and 29th streets is the planned site of a Gillman Home Center store, which would also include a lumber yard with the hardware store. Council on Monday approved a six-year tax abatement for the retailer on first reading.

For property at Memorial and Burlington drives, where a vacant former Marsh store still stands, city council approved on first reading a 10-year tax deduction from the assessed value of a 60-unit affordable housing complex called Riverbend Flats. The estimated cost of that project is $12 million.

More:Muncie Land Bank moving vacant properties back into use in city neighborhoods

Curtis Gillman, chief operating officer for Gillman Home Centers, said obtaining construction materials to build the hardware store is a challenge right now due to shortages during the pandemic. He told the city council Monday that he hoped construction could start within six weeks but he said Thursday that timeline might be too aggressive.

Once construction starts, the store should be completed within six months, he said. He was hopeful the store would in operation by mid-2022.