New neighborhood is coming to Upland

Plans to construct a neighborhood near Taylor University are in progress as part of the Main Street Mile Initiative in Upland.Construction will focus on the woodland area behind the Upland Health and Diagnostics Center. The planned layout includes an event venue and boutique hotel,creeks and hiking trails and low-maintenance housing options in organized clusters, Andrea Masvero, the executive director of 1846 Enterprises, said.The goal of this project, which Masvero calls the "Hospitality Node," is to offer affordable, well-designed housing where older adults in the community can thrive. Target demographics include empty nesters and retirees as well as families, some of whom might be teaching at or attending Taylor University."The neighborhood creates a new section of opportunities and connection for older people in Upland and expands upon Taylor's values of community," said Jake McKim ('24), director of 1846 Enterprises. McKim is an Upland native and a current master's student at Taylor.Another element of the project is connecting older members of Upland with the resources Taylor has to offer. These resources include access to the Kesler Student Activities Center, Taylor Theatre's plays and musicals and instrumental and choral concerts performed by the music department, Masvero said.Residents could also access nearby hiking trails, use the event venue to host gatherings and keep active at the upcoming hotel's fitness center."We want to create little pockets of neighborhoods which you can do life together in," said Masvero.Jenni Halterman, a member of a focus group for 1846 Enterprises, expressed interest in the resources the neighborhood plans to offer. She is an alumni of Taylor University and has moved back to the area because her daughter is attending Taylor. She sees great potential in integrating older residents' experiences directly into Taylor itself, Halterman said."I love the idea of the community being an extension of Taylor," Halterman said. "I want to involve Upland residents in the Taylor community - they could be guest speakers in chapel or assist in classes. To have this many years of experience is a goldmine and a great opportunity to learn, and I think students want to hear these stories."1846 Enterprises plans to break ground for the neighborhood, the hotel and its surrounding facilities at TUGather on April 24. The construction process will last several years. Main Street Mile hopes construction will be completed by the end of 2028, Masvero said.The neighborhood is only one part of the projects 1846 Enterprises has planned to further develop Upland."We're working with remarkable consultants that have worked to develop healthy homes and neighborhoods," Masvero said. "We have people bringing best-in-class ideas to the project to make it really great."As a native resident of Upland, working on the Main Street Mile Initiative has opened McKim's eyes to the amazing things Upland is involved in, he said."I see growth and excitement over opportunities which is not something I'd say I saw growing up," said McKim. "There's a new sense of possibility and Upland asking, 'What's next?'"