Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
FRENCH LICK – Prospective buyers will get their first glimpse of the first home completed in the new Klondike neighborhood in French Lick next month.
An open house Feb. 3 will let potential buyers walk through the home. The open house, from 3-6 p.m. at 992 Klondike Blvd., also opens the 10-day application period for buyers. That window closes Feb. 13.
Because of expected demand, interested buyers must complete an application; a drawing Feb. 14 will determine the buyer.
“Based on phone calls to the OCEDP office, I anticipate a lot of interest and a high volume of applications,” said Skylar Whiteman, executive director of Orange County Economic Development Partnership.
If an applicant is not selected in the first drawing, they can ask to be put in drawings for future homes.
The house is the first of six homes being constructed on Klondike Boulevard by the French Lick Resort to increase the housing stock in Orange County. Applicants must work in Orange County to be eligible. Klondike is the second neighborhood of new homes developed in Orange County by the Resort. Abbeydell Pike was the Resort’s first housing initiative. The Resort built 12 homes in West Baden Springs and Whiteman said all 12 are occupied.
Construction continues on the other homes on Klondike. Whiteman said about one house a month will be completed through July.
Whiteman said it’s exciting to see new housing in French Lick. It’s the first new housing development since the 1960s. Klondike is platted for 29 homes.
Prior to construction, the land, which was owned by the Resort, was undeveloped and lacked infrastructure to support housing. Indiana READI funds were used to construct streets, sidewalks and install drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure. READI committed $1.75 million and the French Lick Redevelopment Commission allocated $1 million.
The public-private partnership has been an essential part of workforce housing efforts in Orange County.
The first home offered for sale has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with a two-car garage. The one-level home also includes appliances.
To learn more about housing in Orange County, details of the construction and application processes, the public is invited to a housing meeting Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. in the Murdock Room at the French Lick Resort.
West Baden Lofts
Earlier this month TWG Development had a grand opening for the West Baden Lofts. The two buildings have a total of 44 units.
West Baden Lofts provide affordable housing with units reserved for households making 30-60% of the area median income (AMI).
Amenities include a free bikeshare program, free WiFi in common areas and individual units, fitness center, community room, an indoor play area for children, community raised garden beds, a playground, in-unit laundry and walk-in closets. . For more information, call 812-723-4000.