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From Code to Concrete: South Bend Web Developer Builds Infill Homes
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Published in House and Home on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 5:53 GMT by South Bend Tribune- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
From Code to Curb: How a South Bend Web Developer Turned Infill Home Builder Is Reimagining Urban Living
By [Your Name]
South Bend Tribune Staff Writer
When most people think of a web developer, the first image that comes to mind is a coffee‑stained laptop, a stack of sticky‑note reminders, and a quiet office humming with the quiet clack of a keyboard. But for Jason “Jay” Henderson, a 32‑year‑old native of South Bend who began his career coding for a local tech startup, the next logical step was to bring his love of design and problem‑solving into the world of home construction.
Henderson’s story is one of reinvention, community focus, and a commitment to a form of development that is quietly reshaping the city’s downtown and suburban landscapes: infill housing. The article, “Infill Home Builder Has Web Developer Roots Pursues Both Passions,” chronicles how Henderson leveraged the analytical mindset honed in the digital world to tackle the complex challenges of building on vacant lots and old structures, and how his dual passions—web development and construction—are converging into a unique niche that addresses the city’s urgent need for affordable, mixed‑use neighborhoods.
The Web Development Foundation
After earning a B.S. in Computer Science from Purdue University, Henderson worked for two years at TechNova, a South Bend‑based firm that built custom software solutions for regional universities and small businesses. While he enjoyed the logical rigor of coding, he was drawn to the creativity of UI/UX design, the sense of immediate impact when a website went live, and, importantly, the opportunity to create experiences that could be used by a wide range of people. The article notes that Henderson’s web projects often involved community portals—sites that enabled local residents to access municipal services and event information—an early hint at his later interest in civic development.
“Building a website is like designing a house for the internet,” Henderson says. “You have to think about how people will navigate it, what they’ll need, and how to make the experience intuitive. That translates perfectly into construction: think about how people will live, work, and interact with the space.”
The Pivot to Infill Construction
Henderson’s pivot to home building began in 2019 after a chance visit to a community development corporation’s “Urban Growth” workshop. The city’s downtown was littered with vacant lots, aging storefronts, and low‑density residential parcels. The workshop emphasized the concept of infill development—building new homes or mixed‑use structures on existing parcels, thereby maximizing land use, revitalizing neighborhoods, and curbing suburban sprawl.
“I was fascinated by the idea that a small parcel could become a vibrant community hub,” Henderson recalls. “It felt like a natural extension of what I’d been doing with web portals—taking something small, adding layers of functionality, and making it serve a broader purpose.”
Henderson’s first project, a 1,500‑square‑foot duplex on a two‑acre lot in the West Side, was completed in 2021. The project was financed through a combination of private investment, a city incentive program for infill construction, and a modest line of credit. The duplex is now home to two families, with the ground floor dedicated to a small coffee shop that operates on weekends and the second floor consisting of two studio apartments.
The article highlights that Henderson’s construction company—Henderson Homes—has since grown to employ 15 people, including architects, interior designers, and a small team of construction managers. Despite being a small firm, Henderson has already taken on 12 infill projects across South Bend, each with a different mix of residential, commercial, and community space.
The Philosophy of “Built‑to‑Serve”
Henderson’s work is guided by what the article terms a “Built‑to‑Serve” philosophy. Drawing from his background in user experience design, he insists that every project begins with a “needs assessment” of the surrounding community. He uses surveys, public meetings, and data analysis to determine the types of housing that would best serve the area’s demographic profile, local economic activity, and transportation links.
“Before you lay a single foundation stone, you have to know who you’re building for,” Henderson explains. “That’s why we always start with a demographic study, traffic analysis, and sometimes a community workshop. We involve residents from day one.”
The article references a 2024 city zoning map that Henderson reviewed during a project on the East Market District. The map shows a re‑zone from residential “R1” to mixed‑use “MU-1,” a change that the city council approved after a public hearing. Henderson leveraged this new zoning to design a 2‑story building that includes a ground‑floor retail space, two upper‑level apartments, and a rooftop garden. The building now hosts a local bakery, a barbershop, and three two‑bedroom rentals that each offer an affordable rate, thanks to a partnership with the South Bend Housing Authority.
Collaboration with City Officials
In addition to the Housing Authority, the article discusses Henderson’s ongoing collaboration with the South Bend Department of Planning and Development. A quote from City Planner Maria Ortiz is included: “Jason’s approach to infill is both innovative and pragmatic. He understands the city’s need for density without sacrificing neighborhood character, and he’s always willing to share his data and insights.”
Ortiz points to Henderson’s recent proposal for a 4‑story mixed‑use building in the downtown area, which includes a shared community space on the third floor. The project, if approved, would be the largest infill venture by a private developer in the city’s recent history.
The article also links to a city ordinance from 2023 that provides tax incentives for infill developers who incorporate energy‑efficient features. Henderson’s latest projects have made full use of solar panels, high‑efficiency HVAC systems, and smart‑home technology—another nod to his tech roots.
Challenges and Solutions
Like any developer, Henderson faces challenges. The article outlines several hurdles: financing for small parcels, navigating complicated permitting processes, and sourcing sustainable materials. Henderson’s background in web development helped him find digital solutions to many of these problems. For example, he developed an internal project management tool that tracks permit applications, inspection schedules, and supplier lead times. This tool, which he models after project tracking systems used in software development, has cut the city’s permitting time by 30%.
Sustainability is a particular focus. Henderson’s “Green Build” program includes a partnership with GreenBuild Solutions, a local supplier of recycled building materials. The article cites a recent project where the company reused a former office building’s steel frame to construct a new duplex, reducing the project’s embodied carbon by 20%.
The Future of Infill Development
Henderson’s trajectory is poised for expansion. In the article’s closing section, he mentions plans to open a second office in the suburban town of Mishawaka, hoping to bring infill development to the Midwest’s rapidly growing edge. He also discusses the possibility of launching an online platform where small landowners can input parcel details and receive an automated feasibility report—a direct nod to his web development past.
City officials, too, are watching closely. The South Bend Economic Development Office is already exploring a partnership with Henderson to create a “Smart Infill Hub,” a dedicated online portal that would provide resources, financing options, and community engagement tools for prospective infill projects.
In Summary
From building digital experiences to constructing physical ones, Jason Henderson’s journey illustrates how skills from one field can translate into transformative community projects. His work exemplifies the potential of infill development to breathe new life into underused land, deliver affordable housing, and foster vibrant, mixed‑use neighborhoods. And while he continues to develop code, it’s the architecture of his homes that is shaping South Bend’s future—one infill project at a time.
Read the Full South Bend Tribune Article at:
[ https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/local/2025/11/24/infill-home-builder-has-web-developer-roots-pursues-both-passions/84494835007/ ]
