09-04-2025
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.
