JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Finance & Legal Committee heard more information on a proposed project that would address low and moderate income housing in the area.
The project calls for the demolition of the former Eagles Club building and construction of a four-story apartment building with 33 units at an estimated cost of $8.688 million.
Erin Anderson is the Vice President of Development for Commonwealth Companies.
Anderson stated the goal would be to have rent set below the market with rent ranges between $392 to $975 with an average of $716 based on the needs of the individual.
Anderson informed the committee that the project would not be feasible without the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for a 15 year agreement.
If the PILOT was approved by the city, the project would move forward with a completion date of Spring 2021.
David Klein with the Great Plains Housing Authority stated that the building would meet needs of accessible housing in the community, for which he says there’s a great need.
The committee heard from City Attorney Leo Ryan who pointed out that because of timeline restrictions, the council would need to wait until October 7th to make a decision to either move forward with the project or deny it.
Mayor Dwaine Heinrich pointed out that they could still draft a letter of interest in the project, which may meet the end of the month deadline needed for city approval.
The letter of interest was approved the decision and discussion tabled until the October 7th meeting at the City Hall.
Anderson informed the committee that she was unsure if the letter of interest would suffice, but stated she would look into it.
The committee later heard more information from Del Horn with the Jamestown Community Corrections Program. Horn informed the committee that he was seeking $6 for each hour of community service ordered by municipal court, an increase of $2.
Horn was asked why community service hours through the program were down, to which he replied his thoughts was the new judgeship.
The committee unanimously approved and the new agreement would take place January 1st, 2020.