Wayne County Land Bank is finalizing the purchase of seven houses to restore in Richmond’s Starr neighborhood, which Indiana Landmarks previously called one of the state’s most endangered historic sites.
During its Sept. 3 meeting, board members learned the closing for the purchase from Richard and Kathleen Anderson’s K & R Hoosier Investments LLC is scheduled for Sept. 30.
The sellers are allowing a Sept. 16 inspection of the homes so environmental hazards such as asbestos can be found and removed.
The land bank plans to purchase six more homes from K & R next year.
Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau says the Starr Historic District is a 24-block area that runs from North A to North E streets and from the alley between North Ninth and 10th streets to North 16th. It offers more information about the neighborhood at visitrichmond.org/listing/starr-historic-district/.
Economic Development Corp. purchased the first three homes last December while the land bank was being formed. EDC is initially receiving these seven properties before transferring them.
The goal is to acquire, stabilize and secure blighted residential properties until developers can be found to renovate them and boost home ownership. The 16 properties total 22 housing units. No tenants are being removed before their leases expire.
Funds came from Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0, supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. Wayne County and the City of Richmond each contributed $60,000; EDC gave $100,000; and Cambridge City contributed $5,000.
In other business
- While no action can be taken while assessments are being completed, the board is monitoring Cambridge City’s potential needs after catastrophic flooding damaged many properties.
- The board voted to reserve $450 monthly office space at Main Street Resource Center. It’s working to secure legal counsel, connect with title companies and plan for a website and social media.
- EDC applied for a Federal Home Loan Bank grant for the land bank while its 501(c)(3) application is processed. Results are awaited.
A version of this article appeared in the September 9 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
