Project Elite

Imagine a place where athletes train for more than winning the next game or championship, where it’s about more than capturing the next gold medal or signing the next big contract. Imagine this community where faith and sports intersect to cultivate excellence in people of all ages and help them win at the game of life.

Thriving Community

Without community, people can falter, struggle, and languish. Ambassador Enterprises’ mission is to invest in better community for time and eternity. Project Elite and the acquisition of the CR11A Interchange property off Interstate 69 (I-69) reflect our dedication to creating lasting impact that helps the people of Auburn, Indiana, its neighboring communities, and the entire Northeast Indiana region thrive.

Vision

Our vision is to develop a world-class sports campus that integrates athletic excellence with personal growth through a Christ-centered, character-based, and servant-minded approach. We aspire to build a community where individuals can realize their full physical and spiritual potential, guided by faith and inspired to excel on and off the field. This initiative aims to bring people together and positively impact lives through sports and spiritual development.

Impact

Project Elite has the potential to invigorate the local economy by catalyzing economic development, including restaurants, hotels, and retail spaces, and help transform the region into a family-friendly destination. This, in turn, would create new jobs, increase tax revenue, and provide new green spaces, affordable housing options, and cultural attractions.

Local ownership has always been a core belief, and Daryle and Brenda Doden are grateful residents of DeKalb County. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to establishing a more vibrant community and robust region.

Potential Partners

Ambassador Enterprises seeks to engage partners who share our philosophy and are fully committed to pursuing a higher purpose and shared vision for the Project Elite campus. We’re interested in financially viable and sustainable opportunities that generate significant public impact. Our goal is to ensure that project outcomes benefit both our partners and the broader community.

We’re looking for innovative ideas with the potential to create lasting value. We encourage potential partners to share their creative concepts that align with our vision. We invite you to express your interest, present your ideas, and demonstrate your expertise and capacity to contribute in one or more of the following key areas:

By focusing on these critical areas, partnering with like-minded organizations, and combining our resources and expertise, we can create a transformative project that drives economic success and positive community impact.

Project Elite: 5536 CR 11A

This highly visible Northeast Indiana site, conveniently located just minutes from Fort Wayne, is immediately adjacent to and east of Interstate 69 (I-69) and accessed through County Road 11A in Auburn, Indiana. This centrally located property, with nearly 250 acres distributed among eight parcels of varying sizes, is located within 500 miles of half of the U.S. population and proximity to major markets.

Northeast Indiana/City of Fort Wayne

Northeast Indiana’s central location is within a three-hour drive of major Midwest cities like Chicago, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis, and offers a host of advantages as an area for development and as a regional destination. At its hub and the second-largest city in Indiana, Fort Wayne  (265,974 people; 423,000 in the metropolitan statistical area) was recently ranked the number one emerging real estate market in America according to MarketWatch! Area amenities and conveniences include:

• More than 5,500 hotel rooms in the metropolitan area with 15% more affordable expenses across the board than you’ll find in other major cities in the Midwest.
• International Airport served by daily flights to and from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
• Fort Wayne was rated the 17th best city in America for “Work-Life balance” because of its rich concentration of cultural amenities, recreation opportunities and overall affordability when compared to the average number of weeks worked per year.
• Access to the Parkview Field (home of the TinCaps, a baseball High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres) and the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum (home to the Komets, a hockey affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers).
• Northeast Indiana region is home to several economic development opportunities, higher educational institutions, and a robust talent pipeline.
• The State of Indiana was recently ranked number one in the nation for leading the way in infrastructure investment and quality.
• With its favorable cost of living index, Indiana is a prime location for starting a business and ranked second in the country by Forbes for its business-friendly environment and substantial labor pool, Indiana offers a cost-effective investment opportunity.

DeKalb County/City of Auburn 

Although the exit off I-69 currently lacks amenities, a wealth of attractions, including restaurants, retail, and others, can be found just minutes north in the City of Auburn:

• National and local restaurants and hotels
• Family Attractions, including museums, cultural centers, and theaters.
• Recreational activities, including golf, hiking trails, and nature preserves.
• Retailers, including groceries, big boxes, and general merchandise.

Schedule and Submittal

Statement of Qualifications

Interested parties shall supply the following information for review and consideration:

General Company and Organization Information

• Provide a brief history of your company/organization, including the vision, mission, values, and years in business.
• Describe your company’s organizational structure, including key personnel and their roles.

Experience and Expertise

• Detail your experience in projects similar to Project Elite, including specific examples and outcomes.
• Provide a portfolio of past projects, including scope, budget, and timeline.
• What specialized skills or expertise does your team possess that are relevant to this project?

Interest and Engagement

Describe your interest in engaging in Project Elite within the following categories:

• Ownership of real estate
• Development of land
• Management of projects/developments
• Utilization of space (programming) designed and developer

References and Testimonials

• Provide references from previous clients, including contact information and permission to contact them.
• Include any testimonials or letters of recommendation from past clients.

Innovation, Impact, and Sustainability

• Describe any innovative solutions or approaches your company/organization has implemented in past projects.
• Outline your sustainability practices and how they are integrated into your projects.
• Describe your approach to community engagement and impact.

RFI Evaluation Criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of the CR11A Interchange property?

The Auburn Auction Park, located just south of Auburn, Indiana, has a long history dating back to 1971 when collector car auctions first took place in the area. Initially hosted at DeKalb High School, the auctions moved to the County Road 11A property in 1989 under the management of Kruse Auctions. This site became a prominent venue for car enthusiasts, drawing large crowds and showcasing up to 5,000 collectible vehicles during major events.

In 2011, the property was sold to RM Auctions, which rebranded it under the subsidiary Auctions America, preserving its legacy as a significant location for automotive auctions. The park continued to be a major destination for car culture, where enthusiasts could come together to celebrate their shared passion.

In 2022, J.T. Fisher Properties purchased the property with plans to transform it into a youth sports park. The proposed development included multiple indoor and outdoor sports facilities, potentially turning the site into a year-round destination for sports events. However, the project faced numerous challenges and ultimately failed to materialize. In December 2023, it was sold to XCel Properties, who rented the property to General Motors for use as inventory storage and parking.

In May 2024, Ambassador Enterprises acquired the CR11A interchange property.

Who purchased CR11A Interchange?

The property was purchased by Ambassador Enterprises, a locally owned legacy-minded private equity firm investing for the glory of God and three returns: financial sustainability, cultural influence, and Kingdom impact.

Why did you purchase CR11A Interchange?

We have always believed in the importance of local ownership. Brenda and Daryle Doden are grateful residents of DeKalb County. We acquired the property because we believe we have a vision for it that will contribute long-term value to Auburn, the surrounding communities, and the region.

More specifically, we envision creating a world-class sports campus where excellence in athletics intersects with profound personal transformation through a Christ-centered approach. We want to cultivate a sports community where individuals reach their full physical and spiritual potential, guided by Christ’s love and motivated to excel on and off the field. We want a welcoming environment where athletes, coaches, referees, parents, and mentors can share experiences and strengthen their faith. 

How will this project impact the local community? 

We want to be a source of hope and inspiration, bringing people together and changing lives through the pursuit of athletic excellence and spiritual growth. By successfully integrating elite athletic training with education centered around Christ and the development of strong character, we hope to be a model for youth development that prioritizes character development to produce outstanding athletes who are also exceptional human beings.

The CR11A Interchange redevelopment is expected to be a significant economic driver by catalyzing economic development, including retail spaces, restaurants, and hotels, to create a destination and boost the local economy. This would create new jobs, generate tax revenue, and provide new green spaces, affordable housing options, and cultural attractions. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to establishing a more robust and vibrant community. 

Who will be involved in the development and use of this property?

Collaboration is vital to our success, and we will engage with philosophically like-minded, relationally compatible, and mutually aligned partners interested in one or more areas of the project: ownership, development, management, utilization of space, and financing. Ideas for consideration will be vetted through our RFI process.

When will this happen?

We are currently in the early stages of envisioning this project. We are exploring the types of organizations and potential partners that align with our vision and will help bring this innovative complex to life for the benefit of the local community. Once our plans are finalized, we will make an announcement.