https://www.manisteenews.com/local-news/article/Year-in-review-New-housing-projects-move-forward-15838901.php
Year in review: New housing projects move forward in 2020
By Michelle Graves, Manistee News Advocate
Published 3:27 pm EST, Thursday, December 31, 2020
Property owner Stephen Glagola hopes to rehabilitate 314 Sibben St. and turn it into a space with three apartments, a community events space and a coffee shop and delicatessen. (File photo)
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of the News Advocate's Top 10 stories of the year (in no particular order) revisiting and recapping the biggest news in Manistee County in 2020.
MANISTEE — The state of housing in Manistee County has been the topic of discussion for years, but in 2020 some progress has been made.
In 2019, "Young Professionals Housing Survey" conducted by Project Rising Tide found that nearly 74% of respondents felt locating suitable housing in the Manistee region is difficult, and many said they have considered leaving the area due to a lack of options.
Early in the year, the city planned to fund a position for a person who would be a leader to spearhead needed neighborhood housing initiatives in the area. However, by May, as uncertainties persisted with revenue sources for the city due to the pandemic, city staff reworked the proposed budget to cut all appropriations by 10% and eliminate the $20,000 that was to go toward Housing North for the position.
However, not all hope is lost as a few projects already in the works continued to move forward and a few new ones took shape in 2020.
HILLCREST APARTMENTS
In August, Manistee City Council approved an extension for Hillcrest Apartments, a project that began in 2019. In February of that year, council adopted an ordinance to allow for the construction of the 45-unit project. Part of the ordinance required that it be completed within two years from the time it went into effect.
The project was delayed this year due to a backlog of construction jobs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension gives developers until Aug. 17, 2022 to complete the project.
Though work began at the site in early October, Hollander Development Corporation and Little River Real Estate Management held an official groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 14.
The project will be a mixed-income housing unit for households earning between 30% and 80% of the area's median income. It is located at the site formerly occupied by Washington Elementary School on Ford Street, bordering Short Street and Third Avenue in Manistee.
SIBBEN STREET PROJECT
In early November, Manistee City Council approved a tax exemption for a building on Sibben Street that paves the way for the property to become apartments and community gathering spaces.
With the approval of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District and certificate of exemption for 314 Sibben St., owner Stephen Glagola hopes to turn it into three apartments, a coffee shop and delicatessen, and a community event space by December 2022. The 6,848 square foot, two-story building was originally constructed in the late 1880s and has been vacant for decades.
Kittie Tuinstra, executive director of the nonprofit Oceana County Housing Commission, and developer Allan Martin, presented a senior housing project to Manistee City Council in early December.
The organization is partnering with the Manistee County Council on Aging and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians while Kendra Thompson is the architect for the development planned for the parcels at 443 Water St. and 451 and 457 River St.
The building currently at 443 Water St., formerly the location of Amor Signs, would be demolished and a new four-story building built in its place. The River Street properties will be renovated.
RELATED: New senior housing project could mean new build, renovations
The developers plan to have one bedroom and two-bedroom units meant for single people and couples. The rent for the one-bedroom units will range from $360 to $850, according to Tuinistra's presentation. The two-bedroom units' rent will range from $430 to $1,030.
"We've talked with quite a few seniors who've expressed their needs and concerns. A lot of them are looking for housing that is affordable on fixed incomes, but also that is more maintainable," Tuinstra told council at the December meeting.
RELATED: Tax credits, location top issues in new senior housing project
However, the Monroe Cottage project, a 46-unit housing project planned for 260 St. Mary's Parkway, has been put on hold because it was not awarded low-income housing tax credits from the Michigan State Housing and Development authority earlier this year.
A planned unit development application for the cottages had been approved by the Manistee Planning Commission in February. City council had planned to have city staff draft a payment in lieu of taxes ordinance and municipal service agreement.
HOUSING COMMISSION PROJECTS
In February, Clinton McKinven-Copus, executive director of the Manistee Housing Commission, updated Manistee City council on plans for Century Terrace and Harborview housing to transition from the current U.S. Housing and Rural Development to the RAD program.
In October, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority announced that it was awarding more than $1.4 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to Century Terrace and Harborview Apartments as part of $17.8 million that was awarded to 17 projects in the state. The amount awarded to Century Terrace and Harborview Apartments was the second-largest on the list.
Photos: Hillcrest groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday
Here's what you need to know about Hillcrest Apartments
Unused Manistee building's rehab approval means housing, coffee, more
Cottages coming
Phase I: Century Terrace, Harborview rehabilitation estimated to cost $10M
Century Terrace, Harborview awarded over $1M tax credit