Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
SHOALS – A trailer park that was in need of some TLC has been turned into a fresh, new tiny house community for adults 55 and older in Shoals.
Four homes have been built by Tedrow Properties with plans to construct seven more.
Bob Tedrow of Shoals and his fiancee Lee Bell are building the homes, located between Oak Avenue and Miller Street.
Tedrow bought the property, a mobile home park, about three years ago. It was run down and law enforcement was called frequently. Tedrow went to work cleaning out and removing the trailers and making plans for a tiny house community similar to ones he had seen in Florida retirement communities.
The homes are 600 square feet with one bedroom and one bath. Each home has a front porch because Tedrow wants neighbors to be able to enjoy the outdoors and connect with one another. The units are available for rent and Tedrow is currently renovating an old garage where he plans to live.
His future plans for the area include a security system, paving the street, adding a community center, picnic area, community garden and trail for walking.
Cary Albright, president of the Shoals Town Council, said tiny homes are perfect for small towns in southern Indiana.
“The infrastructure of small towns in southern Indiana, are already stretched to their limits. They cannot do large expansion projects,” Albright said. “Tiny home communities allow us to use our current freshwater and wastewater Facilities. It is a win-win situation. You don’t have to see a massive increase in utility bills, yet we still see an increase in utilities revenue and not increase our infrastructure.”
Not so tiny vision
Tedrow, 59, said his vision for the community is a place where he would want to live as he ages.
He also said Shoals, like much of southern Indiana, has a shortage of quality, affordable housing. He recalled trying to find senior housing for his father and being on wait lists. He said by the time a unit was available, his dad needed long-term care.
“There is such a need for this,” Tedrow said. “The people here can be independent and their daughters and sons know that I’m here.”
Tedrow does most of the work himself; he has taught Bell how to lay foundation blocks and hang drywall.
“She’s an excellent designer and has a head for design and business,” Tedrow said.
Tedrow has built and remodeled homes for himself and others.
“I’ve always enjoyed building and creating,” he said. “I would love to see other people do the same thing.”
Tedrow said he chose the trailer park to start the tiny house development, not only to improve a blighted property, but it also saved him the cost of having to run sewer and water because the infrastructure was already in place.
Moving older adults out of homes that are larger than their needs also opens up an opportunity for a family to find a home in town.
Because Tedrow and Bell do the majority of the work, it takes a minimum of six months to complete a home. The wait list for the homes is growing and Tedrow said he gets contacted every day inquiring on availability.
A resident of Shoals since 1971, Tedrow said Martin County is home and he wants to see Shoals grow.
“If nothing else, I hope it gets other investors excited to do the same thing.”