The Ho-Chunk Village is located on a 40-acre site on the north edge of Winnebago, Nebraska. It is a unique blend of three design concepts:

New Urbanism – higher-density, mixed use to maximize capital expenditures and land base where availability of land is limited.

Active Living – encouraging the health and social benefits of creating a close-knit community through a design plan that encourages walking, biking and interaction among residents.

Cultural – integrating traditional Winnebago village concepts into the design with traditional placement of facilities and a cultural, central gathering place.

The Ho-Chunk Village civic development will include 48,000 square feet of indoor public and service space with an outdoor cultural space in the Village center.

The commercial section will include 120,000 – 160,000 square feet for office, retail and light industrial usage. The area will include a pedestrian-oriented “main street”; on street parking and a variety of retail shops and service businesses.

The residential area will include over 110 housing units featuring single home ownership, multi-family rental and live-work units.

BACKGROUND

The Ho-Chunk Village is a project in partnership with Ho-Chunk, Inc. (51%) and the Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation (HCCDC– 49%). The Ho-Chunk Village provides housing opportunities and a brand new community for the Winnebago Tribe.

HCI and the Winnebago Tribe have recognized the need to further expand community services available to Tribal members.  Particular focus has been on the need for affordable housing and services on the Reservation.

As a result, Ho-Chunk, Inc. developed the HCCDC in 2000. HCCDC, a 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation, was launched to fill the gap between the social mission of the Tribe and the economic mission of HCI. The most ambitious program directed by HCCDC in partnership with HCI is the Ho-Chunk Village.

VILLAGE PROGRESS

In 2003, a significant portion of the Village infrastructure was completed. In 2004, construction was completed on two commercial buildings and the first portion of residential housing. In 2005, the AllNative.com building was completed, housing five businesses. 2006 saw completion of the Ho-Chunk Plaza building featuring space for six business enterprises on the ground floor and apartments on the second floor of the building. The Woodland Trails Building was also completed, housing an artist’s cooperative and retail store operations.

The Honoring The Clans Sculpture Garden was also dedicated in 2006. The Sculpture Garden features twelve life-size statues symbolizing each of the twelve clans of the Winnebago Tribe. Future plans include construction of biking and walking paths, additional housing and other commercial buildings.

In 2008, plans include development of a multi-unit apartment complex in the Village to provide affordable housing for tribal members who aren’t in a position yet to purchase a home.

We believe that the Ho-Chunk Village project has the potential to be the most successful national tribal planning project in years. Not only that, it will be a remarkable story for any rural community looking to revitalize its infrastructure, its culture and its people. For more information, contact Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation.

The combined work of the Ho-Chunk Village Partners and the additional programs provided by HCCDC are designed to continue to address a variety of social and economic needs of all Winnebago Tribal members. All of these efforts are intertwined with the Ho-Chunk Village development and a stronger, more dynamic community for the future of the Tribe.