The Muncie Redevelopment Commission is selling a downtown property for future single-family homes.  But as IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, the deal is contingent on the same company renovating the former YMCA building, which hasn’t been put up for bids yet.

True Development Solutions wants to put about a dozen single-family homes on a lot at Gilbert and Washington streets currently owned by the city.  Sean Mangum says the company’s plans specifically call for detached homes with their own lawns instead of high-density attached townhomes.

“What do folks actually want?  Everybody wants their own little kingdom, and it kind of goes along with the downtown environment of single-family standalone ownership.”

TDS also has plans for remodeling the former YMCA building downtown, if it wins the contract. (Photo: Screenshot from Muncie Redevelopment Commission livestream)

But TDS only wants to buy and build on Gilbert and Washington if it can also buy and renovate the former YMCA property on Mulberry Street.  The company proposes turning it into a mixed-use space of apartments and retail, wanting to turn it into a four-story building with a small grocery store and rooftop restaurant.

Read More: Muncie buys downtown YMCA building to control future reuse

The problem for the Muncie Redevelopment Commission is the YMCA property hasn’t been publicly advertised for proposals and bids, as required, says commission attorney Ben Freeman.

“This one’s just a little bit complicated because the Y’s never been put up yet.”

Read More: Muncie to take over utilities earlier than planned for now empty Mulberry Street YMCA

On Thursday, commission members approved the sale of the Gilbert and Washington streets property to TDS.  And it will create a committee to work on the terms of that sale and for TDS to submit to the official YMCA bid process when advertised.

As of Thursday afternoon, the winning TDS bid package for Gilbert and Washington hadn’t been put online by the MRC.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.