MUNCIE – Mayor Dennis Tyler sees the new Walnut Commons apartment building for the homeless and the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel as downtown bookends.
"Three-and-a-half years ago, people said 'no' to this," Tyler said at a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday for the $8.4 million, 44-unit Walnut Commons. "Three-and-a-half years ago, people said 'no,' we would never have a hotel in downtown Muncie, especially one with a training center for people with disabilities to learn how to work in the hospitality industry."
Drawing applause, he added, "And now look at what we've got on both ends of the spectrum of downtown, and what that says about our community, ladies and gentlemen."
Walnut Commons is the city's first supportive housing project, aimed at reintegrating chronically homeless people into the community through a combination of housing and services.
The project originally was going to be sited on a 2.4-acre vacant lot on South Walnut Street near the entrance to Crestview Golf Club. But neighbors objected.
Sue Blackburn, one of the residents of Walnut Commons, had a job and was a productive member of the community before ownership at her place of employment changed hands — and her pay was cut in half.
"Things spiraled out of control," she said at the ceremony. "I didn't have enough money for rent, food or to live. I had to couch surf and eventually live out of my car. My car was my home. I had to wash up at McDonald's and other restaurants."