by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
A planned multi-unit living complex, touted as “affordable,” could possibly be built in south Sartell by Sandstone Loop and Centerville Avenue.
At its last meeting, the city council approved the proposal, which was presented by Deanna Hemmesch, executive director of the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership. She told the council she is confident funding sources to build the $7.8-million complex will be forthcoming. A similar complex, Burl Oaks, already exists in Sartell. The CMHP, based in St. Cloud, is a housing organization that covers a 16-county area of central Minnesota.
“Nature’s Edge Townhomes” will be a 43-unit complex, with 42 of them designated as affordable, based on income. One unit would be for a live-in manager. In addition, four units will be reserved for long-term homeless people, who will work with social-service people who can help them make progress.
The complex would be part of the city’s crime-free multi-housing program, and background checks would be required of all tenants.
There will be playgrounds, green space, and the units will have central air conditioning, private patios and attached double garages. Heat, water and sewer services will be paid for, but tenants must pay for their electricity and cable.
There are two- and three-bedroom units in the project. Prices would range from a low of about $450 a month up to $890 a month.
The CMHP owns and operates 670 rental properties in its 16-county area, Hemmesch told the council.
Income eligibility for the living units are $30,789 or less for an individual, and $43,920 or less for a family of four.
Hemmesch told the council the CMHP has spearheaded 28 such complexes in the 16-county area, and 21 of them are for low-income tax-credit eligibility. All of them, she said, have been successful.
If funding sources become available, Nature’s Edge Townhomes could be built sometime in 2016 with occupancy beginning in early 2017.
The council voted unanimously to approve the project.
