Mills project back on the table

This is an artist rendering of the proposed senior housing project that could be constructed on a vacant lot south of Dr. Dull’s office on Main Street in Twin Lakes.

Salem project also gets green light

By Annette Newcomb

Editor

After being turned down last year, Stephen Mills of Bear Construction has received approval for a low-income housing tax credit in the amount of $299,908 to aid in the construction of a senior housing unit in Twin Lakes.

The awarding of the funds does not constitute a clear road for construction to begin, however. It still needs to consider a few things that may come in its way, for example, any laws and permits for environment-related compliance, keeping in check the water pollution levels, any kind of nature damage that might come as a part of the construction. In this light, they might need to consult with professionals from companies like RSB Environmental who can help them streamline their workflow.

Monday S.R. Mills, son and business partner of Steve Mills, said they need to meet with the village and get entitlement approval. From there they would pull the permits and go through more meetings with the village plan commission and design review to get final approvals.

“We would like to start construction in the late summer to early fall,” he said. Construction would take about nine months.

There have been no changes to the concept since it was presented to the village early last year boar when it earned preliminary approval. The preliminary approval was a prerequisite for Bear Commercial to apply for the low-interest commercial loan through Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

Village Administrator Dave Cox agrees there are still stones that remain unturned before the proposed project becomes a reality.

“Both Mills and the Village have a bit of work to do. First, we need to go through the final approval of the detailed plan for the building.

“This will include a final review of the site and the building’s appearance from all four sides. Second, the Village needs to complete the design of the extension of Burden Avenue to Bassett Street, which is being completed in coordination with the Mills project to provide appropriate Main Street access for the property,” Cox said.

“Staff and other representatives from the Village will be meeting with S.R. Mills and others shortly to prepare a timeline for the approval process and construction work. Mills would like to begin construction in early fall and the Village will want part of the road construction complete before that project begins,” Cox added.

“I think the Village is hopeful that this project will spark additional new activity in the downtown and will aid in improving our local economy. We anticipate that some of the projects shelved in 2006 through 2008 will come back and be constructed,” he added.

The project

The 13,500 sq. ft. the facility is proposed for a vacant lot on the south side of Main Street, near Dr. Dull’s office. It would be bordered south by Basset Street and falls into the TIF District.

During meetings that began in 2010, residents had several concerns including the location of the building, which some said would jeopardize the future commercial construction. Others were concerned with the impact the development would have on the water wells and also parking and congestion in the downtown area.

During a special board meeting Jan. 26, 2011, Mills returned with a proposed design that includes 3,100 sq. feet of commercial space on the ground floor. The number of units will not change. The proposed senior development would feature 24 units, available to those 55 and older whose income is 60 percent below the county median income. Mills said the majority of seniors would qualify.

There will be 12 one-bedroom units that will be about 720 sq. ft, and 12 two-bedroom units that will be a little over 1,000 sq. ft. Rent for the one-bedroom units would be between $500 and $650, depending on income and the two-bedroom units would rent for $600 to $675 per month.

“Basically, a single that makes less than $30,000 a year would qualify for the one-bedroom and to qualify for the two-bedroom, income would have to be less than $45,000 per year,” Mills said.

Two people can live in the one-bedroom and up to four people can live in the two-bedroom. They can also use peel and stick wallpaper to decorate the space as they wish. Mills said they can not mandate who lives with the qualified tenant, meaning younger family members up to the allowable number per unit could live there as well, providing all pass the prerequisite checks (like those listed on https://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/tenant-screening/credit-checks/, to name but one example).

The facility would feature a common room, fitness center, underground parking for 24 vehicles and there is a laundry in each unit. There will also be a barber/beauty shop and locked storage units for residence to take advantage of. If you’re unsure of the size of the facility you could take a look at storage units pueblo co for further information. The new residence will also get high-speed Internet that would be offered free of charge.

Other project

Mills was also awarded $332,333 for the construction of a 24-unit construction called the Meadows of Mill Creek. This is considered family residential, not specifically for elderly residents.

Another Mills project, Eva Manor Senior Community in Pleasant Prairie, which calls for 46 units for elderly residents was put on hold by WHEDA. Mills had requested $505,942 for that project. Mills can file for consideration of funding in 2013 for that project.

Two other projects not affiliated with Mills, were also put on hold.

A rehabilitation project spearheaded by David Nankin of Legacy property Management Services, Residences in Library Park, for 33 family units in Kenosha, in the amount of $637,769 was put on hold.

A project by John Faust of Horizon Development Group, Saxon Manor, Kenosha, for 224 senior units, with a requested amount of $1,049,874 was also put on hold.


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