County moves toward Vaile property transfer

Twenty-two vacant properties in the Vaile neighborhood should have new homes by the end of 2027.

Affordable HomeMatters already has acquired 19 properties and is close to securing three more from Wayne County’s commissioners. During their April 8 meeting, commissioners unanimously authorized Ron Cross, the city attorney, to prepare resolutions that would transfer tax certificates for 51 S. 15th St., 212 S. 13th St. and 441 S. 11th St. to Affordable HomeMatters. Commissioners would then need to approve the resolutions.

“It’s an excellent program,” Commissioner Brad Dwenger said. “It’s housing that we desperately need in an area that we need and in a price point that we need. It hits all three buttons for me that’s going to help move our community forward.”

The program has received federal, state and local funding and received properties from the city’s housing authority and Habitat for Humanity. Jeb Reece, director of strategic initiatives for Intend Indiana, of which American HomeMatters is a subsidiary, said 11 homes are scheduled for construction this year.

Reece, who spoke during a public hearing on the matter, said seven basic floor plans — all with three bedrooms and two bathrooms — will be built, ranging from 1,300 square feet to 1,600 square feet. The mixed-income project will sell some homes for less than 80% of the area’s median income and others for between 80% and 100% of the median income.

The three lots, which no longer have structures, have not sold at county tax sales. More than $70,000 in taxes and penalties is owed this year on the properties; however, the taxes and penalties will be removed upon transfer.

Mulberry Street bridge

A Cambridge City property owner west of the Mulberry Street bridge will receive $3,225 in exchange for a utility easement required by the bridge’s replacement.

The project will relocate an access hole that currently sits in the middle of the bridge. Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, said the county originally planned to acquire right of way, rather than an easement, but the property owner opposed losing the land. 

Sanders said right of way acquisition would have cost $12,900, so the county will save money with the easement. Dwenger said the property owner contacted him about the situation and the easement is a win-win by satisfying the property owner and saving the county money.

Commissioners unanimously approved the easement terms.

Other issues

• The county weights and measures conducted 287 inspections between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15 with no rejections. For the fiscal year, 2,794 inspections have resulted in 33 rejections.
• The Wayne County Fairgrounds saw a slight increase in rental revenue during the year’s first quarter. Events paid $55,678.75, which is $690 more than the same time period last year. The revenue is $20,071.25 more than 2024’s first quarter.
• No bids for driveway and fencing work on the courthouse’s west side were received by the advertised 9:30 a.m. April 8 deadline. The project is to improve the driveway and fence in the opening near the building’s chiller.
• Commissioners authorized Cross to send a letter indicating the county will not pay a February 2025 water bill for 601 E. Main St. The bill covers a period after demolition of the former Elder-Beerman structure, so commissioners do not think it’s a county bill. The county paid for necessary utilities at the building until demolition.