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A new 50 unit housing complex and landscaped green space just opened in the heart of the Mid-North neighborhood.
“It’s just very fashionable. I like everything about it. I can’t wait to move in,” said Cheryl Garrett, one of the first residents to apply for a sleek, modern, affordable, and energy efficient Illinois Place apartment. “I especially love the community room where I can host a Christmas party for all 13 of my grandchildren.”
Illinois Place officially opened to residents during a celebration Tuesday, December 17, 2013 in which U.S. Representative André Carson, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, CEO of Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Jacob Sipe and City-County Councillor Monroe Gray joined The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis president and CEO, Jeffrey Patchen and TWG Development, LLC principal Joseph Whitsett, to cut the symbolic ribbon.
Gone is the unsightly, abandoned Winona Hospital at West 33rd and Illinois Streets. It is replaced by a 50 unit housing complex and landscaped green space in the heart of the Mid-North neighborhood. The revitalization project is the result of a public-private partnership between the City of Indianapolis and TRex Enterprises, LLC, a company formed at the request of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, with financial support from state and federal grants.
“We are delighted with the enormous community effort that has taken place to help redevelop what used to be an eyesore into a viable housing asset. The Mid-North is not just any neighborhood – it is OUR neighborhood and we take great pleasure in working with the community to improve the quality of life and make this part of Indianapolis a place in which families thrive and live with pride,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
When Winona Memorial Hospital closed its doors abruptly in 2004, the property became the target of theft and vandalism. Coupled with environmental issues, the sale of the property became difficult.
In 2011, the City of Indianapolis demolished the building and performed environmental remediation work using $1.3 million in HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP3) and Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) funds. IHCDA, a quasi-State agency also invested $6.6 million. The City donated the land to a new company formed by The Children’s Museum known as TRex Enterprises, LLC.
“This is another great example of the progress we can make when the City of Indianapolis, neighborhood leaders and private industry work together to tackle blight in our community,” Mayor Ballard said. “The former eyesore that was the old Winona Hospital is now a bright spot in the neighborhood and an anchor for future growth.”
Development and management of Illinois Place was awarded to TWG Development, LLC, a local real estate development corporation that designed the two buildings that include 50 one-and-two bedroom units with rents affordable to households earning less than 60 percent of the median income for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Rents range from $450-$650 a month.
“This is an excellent example of how TRex Enterprises, the City of Indianapolis and TWG Development, LLC, are each coming together to energize our neighborhoods and provide high quality, affordable housing opportunities for our citizens,” said Congressman André Carson. “It is gratifying to see federal funds at work to improve our community.”
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.
TWG Development, LLC is a real estate development company specializing in commercial, market rate, affordable and senior housing developments. TWG was formed in 2007 to develop, own and manage housing communities. Through its related entities - TWG Construction, LLC and TWG Management, LLC, TWG is able to see a development through from concept to lease-up and stabilization. Visit: twgdev.com
