Elkhart County, Indiana

decided to replace utilities. Ten houses were included in the project and eight of the ten ended up choosing to connect. “Phase One (Lilac St.) has been completed,” Kauffman reports, “and Phase Two (homes that are already near pre-existing water lines) will include 70 hous- es if they all choose to connect. Phase Three cov- ers more than 200 homes – that phase would need a new water main creat- ed and laid in front of the homes in order for them to connect.” One reason the Commis- sion is trying to expedite the redevelopment is that the septic systems and wells are coming to the end of their life and will soon start to fail. Phase Three is probably three years out, and Phase Two will also be a while in coming to frui- tion, because of the time in- volved in getting approvals necessary for engineering and construction, and then approval for the funding for construction. All these steps take longer than the County and the RDC would like, but ELKHART 574.293.7762 FT. WAYNE 260.422.2522 SOUTH BEND 574.232.4388 JPR 1 SOURCE.COM T H E E L K H A R T R I V E R D I S T R I C T ARCHITECTURE • ENGINEERING • PLANNING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY ING • RENEWABLE ENERGY • GI S PREFERRED VENDOR n Jones Petrie Rafinski www.jpr1source.com ELKHART COUNTY, INDIANA they are required to go through the process. Kauffman is looking on the bright side, “We’re planning on doing more redevelopment projects in that area, too, if the neighbors are open to it. And we’re looking at working with lacasa, Inc– a non-profit group well known in Elkhart County for assisting people in low-and-middle-income housing, helping them become homeowners, learn to manage finances, and create neighborhood associations. They’re also know for integrating the Hispanic population into the neighborhoods. Community development is lacasa’s core goal, and their tagline aptly fits what all of Elkhart County is aiming for –A Solid Foundation for Everyone.”