Community Celebrates 15th Avenue Development Open House

Community members, local leaders, and project partners gathered on Tuesday, August 18, to celebrate the completion of the first homes in the 15th Avenue Development during a community Open House & Ribbon Cutting hosted by the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation and Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce.

The event drew an outstanding turnout as guests toured the completed homes, visited with project partners, and celebrated another milestone in expanding housing opportunities in Dodge City. Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary hamburger feed while learning more about the collaboration that made the development possible.

Developed by OMA Construction, the 15th Avenue Development includes 22 new single-family homes and one duplex, creating 24 new housing units designed to provide high-quality, attainable homes for Dodge City families. Home prices range from $220,500 to $242,500, demonstrating that quality craftsmanship and affordability can go hand in hand.

The celebration featured remarks from Vice Mayor Michael Burns, Ryan Vincent, Executive Director of the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), and Omar Lopez of OMA Construction. Each speaker emphasized the importance of partnerships, innovative housing programs, and continued investment in creating housing opportunities that strengthen Kansas communities.

The project represents a significant investment in an area of Dodge City that has experienced limited residential development in recent years. By transforming underutilized property into a vibrant new neighborhood, the development is encouraging reinvestment and creating momentum for continued growth. Beyond providing new housing, the project contributes to workforce attraction, neighborhood revitalization, and the long-term vitality of the community.

“It was wonderful to see so many community members come together to celebrate this project,” said Mollea Lightner, Assistant Director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation. “The strong turnout reflects the importance of housing to our community and what can be accomplished when local leaders, developers, financial institutions, and state partners work together. The 15th Avenue Development is creating new opportunities for families while investing in Dodge City’s future.”

The development was made possible through the partnership of OMA Construction, the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, the City of Dodge City, and Grant County Bank. The project also utilized the Kansas Moderate Income Housing (MIH) Program and the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit (KHITC) Program, administered by KHRC, helping bridge financing gaps and expand attainable homeownership opportunities. The Development Corporation would also like to thank Black Hills Energy for grilling hamburgers for attendees, helping make the Open House a welcoming community celebration.

The Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who attended the Open House and to the many partners whose vision and collaboration brought the project to life. Together, these organizations are demonstrating how strategic partnerships can expand housing opportunities, revitalize neighborhoods, and build a stronger future for Dodge City.