HUNTINGBURG — The City of Huntingburg received news regarding the proposed senior housing development at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mayor Denny Spinner announced Thursday evening during a meeting of the Huntingburg Common Council.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority awarded rental housing tax credits to 15 multi-family housing developments throughout the state. Among those was Miller-Valentine Group of Cincinnati for a project to build senior living residences on the property.
The move allows the firm to begin the process of developing the approximately 30,000 square feet of the existing building, along with additional new construction to create 45 senior living units, with 22 one-bedroom and 23 two-bedroom units planned.
Spinner said receiving the tax credits finally answers the question as to what to do with the former hospital, which closed in 2007.
“This project is key to the revitalization of the city’s north side and was identified in both our comprehensive plan and our Stellar Communities application,” Spinner said. “This type of development will have impact not only in Huntingburg but throughout our region, as well.”
Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2014, with units available for rent in the fall of 2015.
Developer Pete Schwiegeraht of Miller-Valentine has previously said his company will convert the north and west wings of the building into 45 units for senior living. Additionally, the company hopes to add to the north wing. Miller-Valentine will invest more than $8.6 million in the project.
Schwiegeraht has said Miller-Valentine intends to bid out construction locally.
“The redevelopment of this site creates a quality, affordable senior housing option in our area and serves as a catalyst for the development of the entire hospital property and the surrounding neighborhood,” Spinner said.
Spinner hopes project approval will also strengthen the city’s Stellar Communities application, which was submitted last week.
“Hopefully the board will see that we’ve been recognized as a good partner and would agree to work with us, as well,” Spinner said. “It puts us in a good position.”
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