Taylor University hosted its Main Street Momentum Celebration Monday, Aug. 19, celebrating three developments on and off campus. The projects constructed over the summer total more than $70 million in investment, Andrea Masvero (‘96), executive director of 1846 enterprises, said. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb spoke at the event.
The occasion included separate ribbon-cuttings for two projects: the Residential Village and Habecker Hall, as well as a groundbreaking for the Main Street Pathway.
The Main Street Pathway, part of the Main Street Mile Initiative from 1846 Enterprises, will include an eight-foot wide pathway with additional lighting.
“We thought, ‘What could we do to be a blessing to our community?’” University President D. Michael Lindsay said at the project’s groundbreaking. “One of the things that we're grateful for at Taylor is that we have lots of entrepreneurial energy. So we want to catalyze that entrepreneurial energy to be a blessing to our friends and neighbors. “
The Town of Upland had also acquired a grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). The $18 million investment from INDOT will renovate Main Street utilities, refresh the pavement and add sidewalks, a curb and gutter, Masvero said at the project’s groundbreaking.
In December 2023, Lilly Endowment also provided the university with a $30 million grant to support their Main Street Mile Initiative, Lindsay said.
“This (new pathway) will be a great asset for the town of Upland and its residents, and it shows the power of collaboration when we all work together,” Shawn Sizemore, Upland Town Council president, said at the groundbreaking.
After beginning construction of the Residential Village in November 2023, the five new townhomes — Gygi Hall, Flanigan Hall, Robbins Hall, Kerlin Hall and Chiu Hall — were officially opened at its ribbon-cutting ceremony and will house more than 150 students.
These buildings were named in honor of five former members of the university’s Board of Trustees: Richard W. Gygi (‘67), Kenneth P. Flanigan Jr. (‘66), Paul D. Robbins, Grace Roselyn “Rosie” Kerlin (‘55) and Wellington Yu Chiu (‘74).
“We are excited to occupy these buildings and we look forward to the community and traditions that will be built here (at the Residential Village, as well as) the lasting relationships that will be fostered here, the discipleship that will take place here and the lives that will be changed and the kingdom impact that will result — soli deo gloria,” Skip Trudeau, vice president for Student Development & Intercollegiate Athletics and director of the Master of Arts in Higher Education Program, said at the Residential Village ribbon-cutting.
Holcomb participated in the ceremony, congratulating and encouraging the university in his speech for their work, mission and efforts to collaborate with the surrounding community.
He experienced Taylor University as a student at the school’s summer basketball camp.
“There's a reason why Indiana is experiencing the growth and the momentum that Taylor is,” Holcomb said at the Residential Village ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It's because we do cast a vision. We do put a plan in place and execute and implement. We do measure our success or our shortcomings, and then we share the good news. Good news, productivity and progress is infectious in such a good way.”
Functioning as a bridge between the university, Upland and other economic development organizations, 1846 Enterprises works to leverage the university’s resources to strengthen collaboration efforts between the university and community.
Small towns are built on a balance between community population and business, Masvero said at the Habecker Hall ribbon-cutting ceremony. When two factors are doing well, the population can grow, businesses can increase and economic growth takes place, she said.
Named after Gene B. Habecker (‘68) and Marylou Habecker (‘68), Habecker Hall is located in the university's Hodson Dining Commons. It is the largest event space within the region with the ability to seat more than 650 people.
“The Habeckers embody the kind of hospitality that Taylor is known for, and so it seemed appropriate that an event space would be named for them,” Lindsay said at the Habecker Hall ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Not only did they host students at their house at all hours of the night, their hospitality is legendary. Gene and Marylou were remarkable in that way.”
Alongside the new event center, the university also added an outdoor dining space, a plaza and pavilion.
