Former NDWBB player looking to build mixed-use development with affordable housing

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind., --- A former Notre Dame Women’s Basketball player is looking to help build up downtown with a mixed-use development that would include a retail space and dozens of apartments for low income households.

On Monday night, the city approved a tax abatement for the mixed-use development at the former Fat Daddy’s site at 505 South Michigan Street.

The site is aimed at providing affordable housing to dozens of local families and business opportunities, especially for women of color.

“I’m trying to create an environment where the tenants will be able build and hopefully grow within the community that we build,” said Devereaux Peters, a Chicago based Developer with Monreaux, LLC.

The former Notre Dame Women basketball player, who also spent time in the WNBA said she is looking to give back to the city by building it up with four-story building downtown.

“I’m working on a low-income housing project. It is hopefully going to be at the corner of Michigan and Monroe and looking to a lot of cool and interesting things with the building.”

Something city officials believe is crucial for this area amid the current housing crisis.

“It’s ultra-important we do things like this. We’ve gotten money from the federal government to help support affordable housing in this area and we need to use those dollars we got from the Biden administration to help develop and support affordable housing,” said Henry Davis Jr.,  South Bend Common Councilman who represents the second district.

The mixed-use building would include a commercial space and 60 apartments with a covered garage.

78% (46) of which would be for low income households, with the others market rate.

Neighboring businesses said they’re also eager about the possibility of more development in the area.

“To see more development coming around here it’s nothing but good news as we go along,” said Steve Lowe the Owner and Head Brewer at South Bend Brew Werks.

“This development could be potentially a game changer for this area. You’re talking about an economic multiplier that happens for the entire area,” added Davis Jr.

Peters said she hopes the development not only works to build up the area and help tackle the affordable housing crisis in South Bend, but also helps foster business opportunities especially for women of color.

“It provides an area where you can have some commercial space for entrepreneurs building their business and also have upstairs where you have your living space,” she said. “So be able to create those opportunities for people low income but also specifically black women and minorities.”

Peters said the development would also provide at least eight full time jobs.

The project is still working to get tax credit funding from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

If the project gets that funding in November, Peters hopes they can start building by next summer.

More information about the project is attached