NBA Player Helps Fund New Rockford Housing Development

One of the most lovable NBA stories involves one of the most beloved players the league has to offer. Don't believe me? He was just elected as President of the NBA Player Association (NBAPA) this month. You don't get elected by your peers if you're not someone who is deeply respected.

The player is Fred VanVleet, point/shooting guard for the Houston Rockets, who previously was an integral part of the Toronto Raptors' NBA championship for the 2019 season. Undrafted out of Wichita State in 2016, VanVleet grew up in Rockford, IL, playing high school ball at Auburn. VanVleet has gone on to be an impactful leader on and off the court, and a new development in Rockford is heavily backed by the man himself.

READ MORE: Iowa Native Part of the NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder Team

The Rock River Current reported that a new residential development in Rockford, which could bring up to 180 units to the east side of the city, is backed by VanVleet. VanVleet is partners with Realtor and real estate investor Luke Salamone in Liquidity Asset Solutions Management.

The development would see the construction of three-bedroom/two-bathroom duplexes in addition to one-bedroom/one-bathroom duplexes and four-plex buildings, per the Rock River Current. The landowner would sell the property to the respective developers for construction to commence. Salamone was clear that Rockford is in need of additional housing:

Rockford currently boasts one of the hottest housing markets in the nation, yet we face a significant challenge with very low inventory and availability. This project aims to mitigate that challenge by providing high-quality, affordable housing options that will cater to families, individuals and seniors alike - Luke Salamone, per the Rock River Current

The itinerary for the development is as follows:

• 34 single-story duplexes (68 units total)
• 30 two-story duplexes (60 units total)
• 13 four-unit buildings with 52 units along Fincham Drive, White Chapel Lane, Mill Road, and Highgrove Place

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The units would be rented at market rates, which Salamone stated would likely be around $1,200 for a one-bedroom/one-bathroom duplex. The three-bedroom/two-bathroom units will have rents at roughly $2,000/month. The property's would exist on the land behind Gustafson’s Furniture, Beef-a-Roo, Weiss Morris Plaza, and Perryville Crossings.

Should this development commence, it would bring more housing units to Rockford than what were constructed in all of 2024. The development is presently awaiting approval from the City Council’s Planning & Development Committee. If approved, the first 10 dwellings off of White Chapel Lane could commence this year.

The next 100 units would be constructed in 2026, and the remainder in 2027. Read more about a housing development in Rockford backed by NBA player Fred VanVleet on the Rock River Current's website.