3 minute read
He glows : Kevan Biggs
from Glo - March 2022
COMMUNITY FOCUS | HE he glows
KEVAN BIGGS
By Julie Young | Photo by Tim Brumbeloe
Kevin Biggs is an innovative visionary who promotes potential in every project he takes on. In addition to being the president and CEO of Ideal Builders, (formerly Ideal Suburban Homes), he is involved with several community building initiatives that are making a big difference throughout Fort Wayne.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some pretty remarkable and capable folks who are doing a lot of unique things,” he said.
One of the biggest projects Biggs has been involved with is the redevelopment of the old General Electric campus in downtown Fort Wayne. Renamed the Electric Works, it is a 720,000 squarefoot mixed-use facility that offers retail shops, restaurants, and innovation space to encourage those with an entrepreneurial spirit.
“After General Electric closed in 2014, the property sat empty. Now we are creating a center of gravity where people can convene, socialize, eat, and work,” he said.
Not only has Biggs helped breathe new life into an historic building, but he’s also worked with Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) to establish the Courtyard Apartments, a 36-unit complex geared for young people aging out of the foster care system, as well as those facing housing insecurity. The development strives to combat the cycle of homelessness by providing tenants with a supportive environment and integrated human services.
“We are barely scratching the surface with these 36 units, but it’s important to put your arms around people who haven’t had a stable household and who lack the life skills they need to face adulthood,” he said. “It’s an epidemic that most people turn a blind eye to.”
Unable to look away from those needing a hand, Biggs also helped create Renaissance Pointe Community Homes, an exciting revitalization effort between the City of Fort Wayne and the Urban League that offers 66 newly constructed single-family homes for individuals and families whose overall goal is home ownership.
Biggs said the homes were funded through federal tax credits and offer people the opportunity to rent properties over the course of 15 years, at which time they will be able to purchase the home they are living in over a 15-year affordable mortgage. This not only gives them a meaningful piece of equity, but also gives them a head start toward owning their home outright.
“I feel blessed to do what I do and to touch the lives of so many people while making an impact on the community,” Biggs said. “Housing is a significant way to do that, and I think it’s important to do my part.” a
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