VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation took the first step toward construction of a 42-plex on land they own on Winter Show Road in Valley City.

Director of Development for the Valley City Barnes County Development Corporation, Jennifer Feist said the Board approved making the vacant lot east of the Regional Technology Center available for multi-family housing during a special board meeting on June 25th. The 42-plex would be located on the east end of the lot. She said this is the first step with many items that need to be completed before construction can start, specifically financing and securing approval from the City of Valley City of a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) application. The Bank of North Dakota’s Flex PACE for Affordable Housing would be part of the bank financing.

She said the total project investment is estimated at $7 Million, which is being undertaken by H & G Holdings, LLC owned by George Gaukler and Bruce Hoyt.

The Development Corporation’s investment would include the land valued at $300,000 and $700,000 as an equity investment with funds requested from the City utilizing the City Sales Tax Fund dedicated to economic development.

Feist said if proposed plan is approved by the city, construction could begins this year, otherwise, it could be a few months later pending approval by the city.

The story was first published on Tuesday, July 9th, since then our social media site has been filled with comments for and against this project, with more comments pushing against the proposal.

Feist answered a few of those questions during this Voice of the Valley interview on Friday, July 12th. The full interview is below.