“We’re trying to bring something different to downtown,” said developer Brett Oakley of his first project in Middletown.
The $2 million to $2.5 million project will provide the types of housing identified as a need in the recently completed City Housing Study, according to city officials.
“I’m really excited about this project,” Oakley said. “It’s a gamble, but I have faith in Middletown and we’re trying to be supportive of Middletown.”
According to a housing study completed in early 2017, it is estimated that Middletown has an annual demand for 127 new homes ranging in price between $150,000 and more than $500,000.
About 70 percent of Middletown’s housing stock is valued at less than $150,000, according to city officials.
The new townhouses will have about 1,500 square feet of living space and are being designed by architect Ron Decker.
The new homes will help to increase foot traffic at downtown restaurants and businesses, according to Oakley. He also said he hopes this project will spur other developers to make investments in the city.
The Oakley Property Group works in residential and business properties in Montgomery, Butler, and Warren counties and in Middletown, Miamisburg, Germantown and Carlisle.
Decker & Associates is an architectural firm that has been based in Middletown since 1970, according to its website. The firm has provided architectural services for a wide variety of clients and projects, including churches, daycare facilities, single family residences, apartment projects, HUD financed housing, retail shopping centers, commercial buildings, office buildings, industrial building, and healthcare facilities in several states.
Middletown officials are developing a comprehensive housing plan that could be completed by late 2018 or early 2019. City Manager Doug Adkins said the group started meeting monthly in late May and have been reviewing a number of global issues before looking at specific neighborhoods.
Council will consider approving the zoning requests for the new project at its Aug. 7 meeting.
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