If you’ve driven through downtown Richmond or the Vaile neighborhood lately, you’ve probably noticed something: things are changing. Vacant lots are filling in with new homes. Historic buildings that have sat empty for years are getting a second chance. It’s not one project, but several, all pointing toward the same goal: a Wayne County where more people can live, work, and put down roots close to home.
This month, we’re diving into what’s actually driving that change.
A Downtown Reimagined
At the center of it all is Revitalize Richmond, a five-year, $100+ million initiative powered by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s College and Community Collaboration program. The project is investing in housing, business spaces, and public art throughout downtown, all while strengthening the relationship between Earlham College and the wider Richmond community. Revitalize Richmond wraps up in 2028, but its footprint will certainly last far longer than that.
Two major private developments are helping bring that vision to life. AP Development’s Legacy on Main is a $30 million redevelopment of six historic sites along East Main Street: the Odd Fellows Building, Knollenberg’s Building and Annex, Hittle Building, Jenkins Building, the former Harris/BMO building, and Kresge Building. Once complete, it’ll bring approximately 100 market-rate apartments and nearly 30,000 square feet of renovated retail space back into use.
A few blocks away, 6Main, led by Flaherty & Collins Properties, is turning the former Elder-Beerman department store site into a $38 million development with 150 apartments and street-level retail. Between these two projects alone, downtown Richmond is on track to welcome more neighbors and more foot traffic for the small businesses around them.
Restoring Neighborhoods, One Home at a Time
Revitalization isn’t just happening downtown. Neighborhood development is happening all across communities in Wayne County. The Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County is leading housing initiatives across several neighborhoods, including 22 new affordable homes going up in the Vaile neighborhood on Richmond’s southside, in partnership with Intend Indiana, the Wayne County Foundation, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The EDCWC is also working in the Starr Historic District, where 22 historic homes are being acquired and restored rather than left to decline. Additionally, 82 single family homes will be coming to Wayne County through the Housing Accelerator Program, developed and managed by the EDCWC.
Investing in Ourselves
Rounding out the picture is the Wayne County Land Trust, formed in 2025 to tackle downtown revitalization, with a current focus in Richmond. The Land Trust acquires and restores historic buildings for mixed use, and keeps ownership local so that any profits stay in the community and get reinvested. The goal is a thriving downtown and Depot District with more small businesses, more housing options, and more sustained neighborhood investment over time.
Why It All Matters
Together, these projects represent hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into Wayne County’s housing stock and historic buildings. The real story, however, is bigger than dollar figures. It’s about vacant lots becoming homes. Empty upper floors becoming apartments. Buildings that have sat quiet for decades getting busy again with retail, restaurants, and neighbors.
Revitalization takes time, and it takes a lot of partners working in the same direction. But walk through downtown Richmond right now, and you can already see the pieces coming together.
We’ll keep sharing updates as these projects move forward. In the meantime, keep an eye out next time you’re downtown. There’s a good chance you might just see revitalization happening in real time.
