Latest news with #RiversideCottagesProject
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Work to begin in mid-May on housing rehabilitation project in Jamestown
May 1—JAMESTOWN — Work is expected to begin in mid-May on a housing rehabilitation project on Gardenette Drive in Jamestown, according to Brent Ekstrom, executive director of the Lewis and Clark Development Group. "I think it's gonna be a great project for the city of Jamestown and for the surrounding area," Ekstrom said. The Riverside Cottages project is a multiphase rehabilitation project of Gardenette Homes, which was initially constructed in 1972. The project comprises three phases to rehabilitate the 168-single-bedroom unit development of 42 single-level walk-up buildings into 150 units providing one-, two- and three-bedroom options. "There's going to be some more options for larger families or other folks that want to be having that two- and three-bedroom option instead of just the one bedroom," Ekstrom said. The Riverside Cottages Project is a continuance of reviving the southeast corridor in Jamestown, said David Klein, executive director of the Great Plains Housing Authority. He said Cash Wise Foods completed a large project and Jamestown Parks and Recreation District is expected to complete the first phase of the McElroy Park Field renovations this year. "And then now having the Renaissance Zone in some of those areas should help to be able to revive that corridor there," he said. Klein said there is a need in Jamestown for more rehabilitation projects but they aren't easy to do. He said a lot of state and federal requirements have to be met. "The housing needs within Jamestown are still great," Klein said. "We still see under a 2% vacancy rate. ... We still are hearing from employers that their employees and staff are residing in other communities." Ekstrom said the three-phase Riverside Cottages project will be completed over the next two years. Phase one will be the renovation of 40 units across 12 buildings that will turn into 32 one-bedroom and eight three-bedroom units. The second phase will result in the renovation of 40 one-bedroom units in 10 buildings. The final phase will result in 70 units across 20 buildings, featuring 50 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom units. CommunityWorks North Dakota has acquired Gardenette Homes and will help spearhead the complete property rehabilitation. The project involves partners Stride Development PBC, co-developer and co-general partner, and Lewis & Clark Development Group out of Mandan, North Dakota. Lewis & Clark Development Group is a collaboration of three separate nonprofit organizations — Lewis & Clark Regional Development Council, the Lewis & Clark Certified Development Company and CommunityWorks North Dakota. CommunityWorks is leveraging its expertise to advance the project as North Dakota's only charged national NeighborWorks America network member, Ekstrom said. NeighborWorks America is a congressionally chartered, national nonprofit that creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities, according to its website. Ekstrom said the Riverside Cottages project includes the central redevelopment goal to provide net-zero carbon homes. He said the project will utilize federal energy tax credits and rebates and incorporate energy-efficient features — solar panels and high-performance HVAC systems — to reduce utility costs and improve indoor air quality for residents. "We're using the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program as well as the North Dakota Housing Incentive Fund," Ekstrom said. "We're also using energy tax rebates and energy tax credits to finance that as well as traditional debt to fill the gap." The total cost of the project is still being calculated, Ekstrom said. He said there are solid cost estimates for the first two phases. He said the first two phases will use 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits while the third phase will use 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits. "Just in the first phase, I think we're right around that $7 million just in construction costs," he said. "Then, of course, there's the soft costs that doesn't include solar and asbestos abatement." The Jamestown Sun reported in August that the total cost of the project is $48 million. Ekstrom said tenants will be relocated while their units are being rehabilitated. "Then all those tenants that got moved will get moved back into their brand new refurbished apartments," he said. " ... We try not to disrupt people as much as possible, but we do keep them on-site. We just move them into a different unit, rehab their units, put all the energy efficiency stuff in there, and then put them back in their units." Ekstrom said the project's partners are working with Great Plains Housing Authority with vouchers. He said there will be a mix of tenant- and project-based vouchers. "This is very similar to what we did with Eagle Flats," Klein said, referring to the three-story apartment complex at 211 2nd Ave. SW in Jamestown. "It's (project-based vouchers) done with a lot of other projects but that assistance stays with that building rather than being mobile with the person."
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
In case you missed it in The Sun the week of April 7, 2025
Apr. 12—The following stories from this week appeared on and in The Jamestown Sun. The Jamestown City Council unanimously approved on Monday, April 7, a notice of intent to request a release of funds for Stride Development's Riverside Cottages Project. Mayor Dwaine Heinrich was authorized to sign the notice. The city of Jamestown will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds for the project at 902-1514 Gardenette Drive. The City Council also unanimously approved a finding that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. An environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is not required, according to city documents. The Riverside Cottages project is a multiphase affordable housing rehabilitation project led by Stride Development. The $48 million project comprises three phases and includes acquiring and rehabilitating the 168 single-bedroom unit development into 150 units providing one-, two- and three-bedroom options. While there has not been a confirmed case of measles in North Dakota since 2011, there is at least some interest in vaccinations among adults, according to Kim Lee, director of nursing for Central Valley Health District. "A few vaccinations for those 55 and older," she said. "Boosting because of travel." The U.S. is seeing a spike in measles cases this year. There were 607 confirmed cases in the U.S. in 21 states with 74 of those cases requiring hospitalization as of Friday, April 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles is highly contagious and anyone not protected against it is at risk, according to the CDC. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is commonly given in two doses. "The measles (vaccine) is very effective," Pinnick said. "It is about 90% effective after one dose and 97% to 98% effective after the second dose. MMR is not something boosted." The James Valley Library System Board of Directors unanimously approved on Wednesday, April 9, updates to its policy on challenging materials in its libraries. The application for challenging materials will also be updated at the next library board meeting on May 14. Updates to the library system's challenge policy include having the complainant read, view or listen to the entire work the individual is challenging and including his or her street and email addresses. "You have to take it in context of the whole work," said Joe Rector, library system director, referring to reading, viewing or listening to the entire work. The policy was also updated to say no appeal is valid if a complainant has appealed and the library board has declined the appeal on three or more requests within a three-year period. The policy previously said no appeal is valid if a complainant has appealed and the library board has declined the appeal on five or more requests within a two-year period.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Council seeks to release funds for housing project in Jamestown
Apr. 9—JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown City Council unanimously approved on Monday, April 7, a notice of intent to request a release of funds for Stride Development's Riverside Cottages Project. Mayor Dwaine Heinrich was authorized to sign the notice. The city of Jamestown will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds for the project at 902-1514 Gardenette Drive. The City Council also unanimously approved a finding that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. An environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is not required, according to city documents. The Riverside Cottages project is a multiphase affordable housing rehabilitation project led by Stride Development. The $48 million project comprises three phases and includes acquiring and rehabilitating the 168 single-bedroom unit development into 150 units providing one-, two- and three-bedroom options. Phase 1 secured $1.1 million of 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Phase 2 received $1.08 million of 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and Phase 3 was awarded $1.03 million of 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits and $3 million in state Housing Incentive Fund dollars, The Jamestown Sun reported in February. Currently, the Gardenette consists of 42 single-level walk-up buildings that are utilized as market rate housing. Tom Blackmore, zoning administrator, said some four-unit buildings will be reduced to three. "They're definitely going to have some increased insulation values, looking at better parking, some solar actually on the rooftops to try to reduce the energy usage," he said. "It is going to be a really nice project, and it's going to be good for Jamestown." The City Council held the first reading of an ordinance related to the prohibition of junk. The ordinance amends and reenacts Section 17-12 of Jamestown city code by adding language that allows Jamestown Municipal Court to order removal of trash, rubbish, junk, junk automobiles or abandoned vehicles on private property in addition to any penalties that the court may impose by law upon a conviction. If the person fails to remove the items by a specific date given by the court, the city of Jamestown or its authorized agent will enter the premises to remove and dispose of the items with costs to be assessed on any property owned by the person who was convicted, the ordinance says. Disposal of junk automobiles must be completed in accordance with Section 17-16 of city code and state law. Scott Edinger, chief of police, said after the meeting that the ordinance will help move the process forward of removing trash, rubbish, junk, junk automobiles or abandoned vehicles on private property. "We would get very tiny incremental movements on properties and then we would get stuck because of the seasons, and we'd have to start over in the next summer and sometimes more junk would be accumulated," he said. "Sometimes, we'd even lose ground, so this will force things to move forward." The City Council held the first reading of an ordinance to prohibit camping on public property within Jamestown city limits. The ordinance would add Article 53 of Chapter 22 to Jamestown city code. Article 53 says no person is allowed to camp or occupy a campsite in, under or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right of way, park, bench, bridge, viaduct or any other publicly owned property unless an area is specifically designated by signage. Anyone who parks or leaves a vehicle parked or remains within a park for two hours without permission during the hours the park is closed will be found in violation. The council also made the first reading to amend and reenact the existing city code related to parking campers or trailers. The ordinance amends the existing city code — Section 21-16-04.1 — to say it is lawful to park motor homes, recreational vehicles, camper trailers and other trailers on the street directly in front of the owner's residence within a residential district for up to 14 days between April 1 through Oct. 31 each year. The City Council held the first reading of an ordinance to amend Section 1-10 of the city code to increase Jamestown Municipal Court fees. The administration fee will increase from $30 to $125 and the facility fee will increase from $25 to $100. Heinrich said the intent was to have the Municipal Court fees match the fees at Southeast District Court in Jamestown. In other business, the City Council unanimously approved: * a quote to purchase youth basketball and volleyball equipment for the Jamestown Civic Center from Gerrells Sports Center for $92,500. City Administrator Sarah Hellekson said the purchase includes two tabletop scoreboards, two score tables, four rectangular backboards and two youth courts for basketball and volleyball. She said the Civic Center is looking to help generate more revenue for the facility. * the appointment of Laurie Podoll to the Forestry Committee for a three-year term that expires in April 2028. * the appointment of Greg Spenningsby to the Stutsman County Weed Board for an unexpired four-year term that expires in December 2028.
