via Southern Indiana Business Report
LOOGOOTEE – The city of Loogootee and Martin County celebrated a future housing development last week with a groundbreaking for Oak Street Village, a 50-unit apartment complex that will bring much needed housing to the Martin County city.
The development, spearheaded by JBH Ventures and Sullivan Development, is a result of strong collaboration between city officials, private developers, nonprofit partners and community members.
Oak Street Village, situated on 5.5 acres, represents a $14.6 million investment and is designed as workforce housing, offering a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units with estimated monthly rents ranging from $475 to $1,391.
The project received $600,000 in READI 2.0 funds and $1.3 million in tax credits from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and Regional Opportunity Initiatives CEO Tina Peterson attended the groundbreaking.
Loogootee Mayor Brian Ader spoke at the groundbreaking and thanked the many partners who worked on bringing the vision to fruition.
“These 50 new units will serve households earning between 30 and 60% of area median income. This is a real and necessary investment in our community’s future,” Ader said.
The complex will serve those with annual household incomes ranging from $19,500 to $54,000, Ader said.
A key element of the project is a child care center. According to a press release, the complex will include a 4,500 sq ft childcare facility that will bring 60 new childcare seats to Martin County, a much-needed resource for working families. Oak Street Village will also enhance Loogootee’s recreation offerings by adding more pickleball courts.
Additional amenities will include a public pavilion and playground, a private playground, on-site management and maintenance. The project also focuses on supportive services, including financial literacy, job training and resources for first-time homebuyers.
By providing new housing, Oak Street Village has the potential to retain Loogootee’s young adults by creating a space for them to live and work in their home community.
Construction is underway and the project is estimated to be completed by November 2026, with leasing to begin in July/August 2026.
“By 2026, Oak Street Village will be more than a new complex. It will be a home for families, a safe place for children to grow and a symbol of what can happen when a local vision meets with statewide support,” Ader said. “Let’s break ground and build something incredible for the people of Loogootee.”
Residents can learn more about the project by visiting the official Oak Street Village website at: https://liveoakstreetvillage.com.