Introduction Whiting, Indiana is a city rich with history. Even the name of the city - Whiting - has a story behind it. Whiting's present community leaders are working to restore and preserve this history. The community of Whiting, Indiana and Ball State University have combined efforts to create this Website. In the pages that follow, the property owners in the Midtown Redevelopment District will be able to locate the guidelines for the correct historic rehabilitation of their roofs, windows, doors, porches and siding, as well as proper color schemes and historically consistent landscaping. Using this information, homeowners can qualify for reduced-rate home improvement loans to rehabilitate their homes and enhance the Whiting community. This Website was designed for use by the residents of the City of Whiting. However, anyone owning a home that was built in this region of the country around 1890 will find the guidelines and suggestions applicable.

How the Website Works
If you have a home in the Midtown Redevelopment Area, you'll be able to click on a map of the area where your home is located.  This will take you to your "virtual street", where you'll click on your home.  From there, you'll be able to view historic design guidelines for renovating your doors, windows, roof, siding, and porches as well as historically accurate color schemes and landscaping.  Online forms are integrated to allow you to take notes, which you can then either print or email to the Rehabilitation Specialist. 

If you do not have a home in the Midtown Redevelopment Area, but would still like to view design guidelines for your home, you can click on a housing style that resembles your own home, and then view the same historic design guidelines and online forms.

The Program Process
To be eligible to participate in the reduced-interest rate program, you must be a homeowner in the designated Midtown Redevelopment District, shown above.  

The first step is to gather ideas on how to renovate your home in an historically accurate manner by viewing the design guidelines for your home style.  The website allows you to "take notes" by using online forms, which you can then print for your own reference or email directly to the rehabilitation specialist with whom you will be working.

Using these notes, the Rehabilitation Specialist will then work with you to develop a "spec sheet" of the work to be done, the materials required, and the quality of work desired.  The rehabilitation specialist will work to ensure that the work will be historically accurate and meet a high standard of quality.

This spec sheet can then be taken to various General Contractors to gather bids for the listed work.  The spec sheet provides a standardized way to compare bids, as the Rehabilitation Specialist has required a certain standard of quality in the spec sheet.

At the same time as you are working with the Rehabilitation Specialist and General Contractors , you can being preliminary work on the financial aspect of the project.  You can work with any of the four participating local banking institutions, and once you have an idea on the cost of the work, you can work with the bank on a firm loan terms, including amount, monthly payments, and so on.

With the loan secured and an approved General Contractor on board, you can begin work!  You'll soon find your home and neighborhood renovated in an historically accurate manner and realize your investment as your home value increases!  Moreover, you'll have done your part in helping to make the Whiting community a more enjoyable and pleasant place to live, work, and raise a family!