(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Vision Atlantic, today (Wednesday, Jan. 22) provided an update on the Camblin Hills housing development project. Construction on the 144 mixed-unit housing development project located on Olive Street between 17th and 22nd Streets, officially began in November of 2024. Dave Sturm, Snyder & Associates Business Unit Leader, said in a press release, that “The Camblin Hills Development infrastructure work commenced in late November. The site grading work is approximately 30% complete but has since been shut down for the winter due to the frozen ground. Earlier this week, Carley Construction began the installation of the underground infrastructure, starting with the sanitary sewer system. This work will continue throughout the winter months and be complete this spring.”

Camblin Hills will feature a mix of townhomes, duplexes, and single-family homes as well as lots for purchase for those interested in custom build. A park and biking/walking trail will be nestled in, offering a safe, family-friendly environment for any buyer. The Lakin Foundation Child Development Center will sit in the northwest corner of Camblin Hills, offering affordable childcare for up to 300 children. Vision Atlantic President, Christina Bateman says “Ten years ago, there were 73 houses on the market in Atlantic. Today, only 24 houses are on the market without offers. We have people in our community, and those looking to move here, who are ready to purchase larger homes and people ready to build their dream home, but they can’t find what they’re looking for in our community. This development will offer a little of everything, while also allowing buyers to “move up”, opening their existing homes for first time buyers or for those who are ready to downsize.”

With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $20 million has been raised in the past 12 months – 66% of the $30 million goal. In addition to the Lakin Foundation’s $8.6 million grant that will help construct the child development center and YMCA expansion, Vision Atlantic has also received access to an additional $23 million from the Foundation, which will act as a line of credit and help Vision Atlantic develop the land and construct homes in the Camblin Hills Housing Development. As the dollars are paid back each year, the Foundation will donate up to 5% of the interest paid back to Vision Atlantic, which will eventually be used to help operate the child development center. The $23 million is not part of Vision Atlantic’s $30 million fundraising goal. (Site development photos courtesy Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith)

Bateman says “Atlantic has always been blessed with generous, giving residents that prioritize reinvestment in the community. This helps sustain Atlantic as a great place to live, and we are grateful to see that altruistic support in this transformational project we have developed. Never has Atlantic seen such an influx of financial support coming in from outside our community like we have with the Lakin Foundation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Atlantic and we’re proud to bring this project to our community.”

If you are interested in learning more about Camblin Hills Housing Development, or the project in general, contact visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

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About Vision Atlantic: Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa. Through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, Vision Atlantic identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. A 144 mixed-unit housing development, 300 capacity child development center and expansion of the current YMCA will meet these needs. Vision Atlantic is currently fundraising for $30 million and infrastructure work for the housing development and child development center is currently underway, with construction slated to begin early this summer.