City of Loogootee Shares Update on Oak Street Village Development

Loogootee, IN – The City of Loogootee is excited to share an update from the Oak Street Village development team, which includes Joe White, President and CEO of JBH Ventures, and Travis Vencel, Development Director at Sullivan Development. The team is “moving forward with speed and confidence” on a transformative $14 million investment to bring new, high-quality housing to Loogootee.

The Oak Street Village project will deliver 50 units of workforce housing “tailored for young families and working residents.” The development is designed to meet a “real need in the community while enhancing the surrounding neighborhood.” The team emphasizes that this is not a Section 8 project, but rather “a workforce housing investment designed to provide affordable rents to people who live and work in Loogootee and Martin County.”

These units will be “built to last, both in structure and in design,” and feature modern amenities such as “patios for first-floor units, Juliet balconies on the upper levels, luxury vinyl flooring throughout each unit, modern kitchens with tile backsplashes, matte black fixtures, and stone countertops.”

The development also includes plans for a stand-alone public daycare center, which the team is “fully committed” to. They are currently “in active conversations with providers and nonprofit experts to ensure that the center is both sustainable and tailored to the needs of Loogootee’s children and working parents.”

In addition to housing and childcare, the project aims to support long-term financial stability for residents. According to the developers, “we are exploring partnerships with local organizations to offer soft skills training, certification programs, and financial literacy education,” with the goal of helping residents “take steps toward home ownership, supported by education and preparation.”

While several city approvals are still needed, the team is “committed to working hand-in-hand with city leadership and the community throughout that process.” Pending approvals, the project is “targeting a July groundbreaking.”

Final building designs are being developed in collaboration with architects and engineers, and will include community-oriented amenities such as “a community center styled after a modern coworking space, outdoor pickleball courts, and a public park with a gathering pavilion.” A project website is also in the works to “capture interest, push out updates, and share pre-leasing opportunities when available.”

Given the challenges posed by rising construction costs, the development team is “working diligently to close financing as soon as possible to avoid cost increases that could impact our design and finishes.”

The City of Loogootee recognizes the significance of this development and appreciates the collaborative efforts between the project team, local stakeholders, and city leadership. As the project moves forward, the City remains committed to supporting initiatives that provide meaningful housing solutions, strengthen families, and promote long-term growth for the Loogootee community.

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