Downtown Indy, Inc. launched an initiative to engage architects state-wide to explore new, affordable, well-designed, single-family home designs for infill lots and undeveloped land in downtown/urban settings. The initiative, “IN Fill,” is a state-wide design competition to encourage architects to design mid-priced homes that will be contemporary, energy-efficient and sustainable. The homes will be sold for less than $225,000.
Downtown Indy, Inc., along with key partners, is hosting the competition to reutilize existing lots in Downtown Indianapolis, Anderson and Evansville. Partner support for this initiative includes the American Institute of Architects Indiana, the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and the Indiana Builders Association
“Our civic focus is on talent attraction and retention for which we are seeing great success,” said Sherry Seiwert, president of Downtown Indy, Inc. “But with a strong workforce comes the need to maintain affordable housing in close proximity of our urban core. We recognize that home values in Downtown Indianapolis are rising and while this is positive, we are concerned that Downtown maintains a balance of households for all income levels.”
The latest data from central Indiana’s realtor association MIBOR reveals that the price for single family homes in the Downtown core continues to rise. In 2016, 98 were sold in the Downtown area with a median sale price of $307,950. Since 2012, median Downtown home prices have increased 32 percent.
Awards up to $5,000 will be given to top design finalists. Funding for the awards will be provided by PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., Vectren Foundation, IHCDA and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
“PNC recognizes the value of quality, innovative design coupled with the affordability of single family homes. We hope this competition advances the conversation for the betterment of housing options in walkable, urban cores,” Said Patricia Gamble-Moore, PNC Bank Community Development Banking Manager in Indiana.
The anonymous submittal competition will be judged by expert jurors based on the following criteria:
- Design quality and relevance to specific location, including energy solutions
- Potential to positively impact surrounding neighborhood
- Economic feasibility
The identified lot in Downtown Indianapolis lot is less than two miles from Monument Circle in the Kennedy-King Neighborhood on Cornell Avenue, immediate east of Herron-Morton Place just northeast of Downtown. The Anderson location is on 1102 Hendricks St. and the Evansville location is on 414 Read St.
Submissions are due by the end of January 2017. The winning design will be announced near the end of February. For more information, competition rules and requirements, visit www.INFILLIndiana.com.
