ELKHART, Ind. -- The Elkhart Redevelopment Commission announced Tuesday that they unanimously voted to accept a redevelopment proposal from Barrett Realty Investments, Inc. and Prince Property Group, LLC for the former county courthouse property.

The development team will now enter negotiations with Elkhart to finalize a development agreement.

The project is estimated to be $37 million investment and includes:

• 124 apartment units
• 10,000 square feet of commercial space
• Six townhomes
• A 300-space wrapped parking structure, with spaces designated for both public parking and residents

“This developer brought a thoughtful approach to this critical block of our downtown. It honors the legacy of the original Elkhart High School and adds the residential catalyst needed to extend residential momentum into the 2nd and 3rd street corridor." said Mayor Rod Roberson. "We received development proposals from three different developers and that really speaks to the confidence and excitement that we are generating in and around Elkhart, the momentum is real."

City officials say the proposed design preserves elements of the façade from the former high school and will incorporate it into the new development.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2027, pending the successful negotiation and approval of the agreement.

“This is a transformative project for downtown Elkhart,” said Mike Huber, Director of Development. “It is rare for a city to have the opportunity to redevelop an entire block in its downtown core. I am particularly excited that the project includes a wrapped parking structure. Surface parking lots can be an inefficient use of valuable downtown land, while this approach supports parking needs and allows the site to contribute more actively to the surrounding neighborhood.”