By Don Steen
Staff Writer n reporter@psci.net
Frosty Falls had a warm reception in Santa Claus Tuesday, December 2, despite the frigid temperatures and snowy surroundings. The housing development, spearheaded by Kerstiens Capital Partners, officially broke ground next door to Fat Santa’s Pizza to the applause of the crowd who braved the cold for the occasion. Members of the town council, along with other local officials, community members and congressional representatives gathered at the shelter house on Cedar Lane to celebrate the groundbreaking on the upcoming 44-unit housing development.
This project has been a long time in coming, and a lot of moving pieces had to come together to make it happen. Frosty Falls was awarded $985,000 through the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative. Additional funding support came from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, along with a property tax abatement from the Santa Claus Town Council.
All told, Frosty Falls will entail a $5.5 million investment in the town. The 44 market-rate rental units will feature a mix of layouts. Ruger Kerstiens, CEO of Kerstiens Capital Partners, said demand was particularly high for single- and two-bedroom housing. Frosty Falls will include 20 one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units and one four bedroom.
Kerstiens noted the buildings would be stone and brick with a darker shade, to blend with the nearby woodlands and surrounding buildings.
“It’s going to look like it belongs here and it’s going to fulfill a need,” he said.
Christy Powell, director for the Spencer County Economic Development Authority, was pleased to welcome Frosty Falls. The shelter house offered a dry, if not warm, place to celebrate the arrival of much-needed housing options in the Town of Santa Claus.
“This project is a direct response to the housing shortages identified in the Indiana First Strategic Plan and in Spencer County’s 2019 Residential Market Study,” she said. “Frosty Falls isn’t just a project. It’s a solution.”
Santa Claus Town Council President Kevin Burke agreed, expressing hope that further housing developments may stem from this project. He also echoed the sentiment that winter weather was an appropriate welcome for Frosty Falls to the Town of Santa Claus.
“The only thing that could have been more fitting is if we had Santa Claus here with all his reindeer,” he joked.
Councilwoman Tricia Vaal said the housing development will be a major benefit for the town. She noted that one- and two-bedroom rentals can be difficult to find, and are in high demand from young professionals seeking to move into the area.
“We have a really big need for this,” she said.
Kerstiens expressed thanks to his company’s employees, supporters in local government and the community as well as countless others who helped take this project across the finish line.
“Myself and the team couldn’t be more excited to bring quality housing at attainable prices to the Town of Santa Claus,” he said. “We’ve been talking about this project for a while now, and we’re glad to be here today.”
Featured Image: Frosty Falls officially broke ground on a snowy Tuesday morning, December 2. Pictured from left are: Heidi Young of Spencer County Economic Development, Town Councilman Brian Warran, Town Councilwoman Tricia Vaal, Bart Kerstiens of Kerstiens Capital Partners, County Councilman Brian Greulich, Santa Claus Clerk-Treasurer Jane Lindsey, Ruger Kerstiens of Kerstiens Capital Partners and Town Council President Kevin Burke.
Above is concept art showing what the future rental community will look like. The developer aims to ensure the structures blend in well with the local environment.
-Photos by Don Steen
