As We See It

 

There certainly have been many conversations over recent years regarding affordable housing in Cook County. And these past months have made it ever so much more obvious that it is an issue that continues to need to be addressed with a hopeful resolve coming forth. This is what was on the minds of a grassroots team of folks back in the early ‘70s.

There are four moderately sized rental apartment buildings in Grand Marais. In 1974 the Grand Marais Apartments at 315 1st Ave East began to offer housing in its 16-unit building. There are 12 two and 4 one-bedroom units. This was made possible by many of the families who had been raised or living here for a long time, many of them business people, and should we say other ‘movers and shakers’. The names of the incorporators are Richard Joynes, Janet Hansen, Amy Hussey, Ann Clark, William Mulligan, Stuart Jackson, Ralph Nelson, Rachel Helmerson, Helen Dalbec, Harry Lamson, and Alma Olson. There were Certificates of Membership purchased for $10.00 by many more people with locally familiar names. The first Board of Directors included Rachel Helmerson, Kenneth Ulmer, Roy Hedstrom, Janet Hanson, Alma Olson, Richard Joynes and Stuart Jackson. There was no remuneration to any one of the membership, nor has there been to any of the directors since. This is and always has been a volunteer Board of Directors.

Secretary of State Arlen Erdahl certified on July 22, 1974, that the Grand Marais Apartments, Inc (GMAI) was now recognized as a non-profit entity. It was established to carry on the promotion of general social welfare of the community for the following purpose: such as, “to acquire, construct, provide, and operate rental housing and related facilities suited to the special needs and living requirements of eligible occupants as determined by the Farmers Home Administration regulations, without regard to race, color, creed or national origin; and also to borrow money and to execute such evidence of indebtedness and such contracts, agreements and instruments as may be necessary, and to execute and deliver any mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of income or other security instrument in connection therewith, to carry out and exercise the foregoing purposes and powers” and more.

The GMAI Board met with other representatives of care in Cook County on December 12, 2011. AEOA and other Minnesota agencies involved with senior citizens joined together for the purpose to hear the initial steps that would need to be taken to refurbish the Grand Marais Apartments built in 1973. The building had recently undergone a weatherization upgrade. Problems that needed to be assessed and efforts to bring the building up to code included entrances, stairwells and other handicap accessibility issues. There was hope to have an elevator available, power panel upgrade, bathroom and kitchen reconfigurations, fire escapes, heating upgrades, improved windows, improved internet accessibility, a sprinkler system installed, have the fire alarm networked to Law Enforcement and the Fire Department, and other safety issues. An attached social room was even mentioned.

Today the USDA Rural Development arm is involved with financing as well as AEOA, MN Housing, and the EDA for certain funding of projects beyond regular maintenance. There is a local board overseeing the selection of NETA Property Management of Fargo, North Dakota. NETA receives an USDA Rural Development (RD) set stipend to carry out the responsibilities to operate Grand Marais Apartments, Inc. NETA hires the local caretaker to perform routine maintenance of building and grounds. NETA makes an annual visit to meet with the tenants and board, and the board is in contact with them regularly. NETA and the board in their fiduciary commitments strive to follow guidelines from Rural Development or other agencies that are involved in providing funding for such projects. There is otherwise great risk of tremendous costs being incurred and the community LOSING one of its most cherished rental properties if personal precedencies are set in tenant decisions.

In 2012, AEOA and the Board of Directors raised funds to hire an architectural firm to visit the property, and form a plan for what was needed based on the tenants’ requests for Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability of the building. Many meetings later, and with guidance from the Board of Directors, we were able to secure over $700,000 in grants to bring this building into compliance. The building isn’t and was never meant to be an assisted living facility. Also, during this time the Articles of Incorporation were reviewed and the Bylaws and Management Plan were updated.

During this past decade, much has been accomplished to achieve the initiatives and goals the board had put forth. There are the following upgrades: Sprinkler system throughout, ramped entrances, power panel 3 phase upgrade with new pad mount transformer, fenced trash bin area, bathroom upgrades with new vanities, walk in tub cutouts, ADA toilets, kitchen cabinets/ countertops/ faucets and vinyl flooring, heating upgrades, a Law Enforcement Center and Fire Department emergency call option, new roofing and added attic insulation, exhaust and piping replacement to upgrade the venting and air quality, ceiling fans with access panels, common area solid core fire doors, new stairwell carpet, replaced windows, interior painting, improved interior/exterior lighting, new siding, gutters and spouts, parking lot asphalt resealed, sidewalk replacement, crawlspace insulation and dry system, radon mitigation, closet doors, and Wi-Fi/DTV upgrades.

There is still need for GMAI to increase its number of directors, as the Bylaws call for five members, and there are currently only three due to past retirements. We have sought for several years in advertising or word of mouth to have more representation on the board. It is imperative that there be interest in continuing the necessary long-term viability of this apartment building. We of the board who have been involved for nearly 12 years are adamant to keep GMAI as a comfortable home for many to ‘age in place’ in a secure, safe, accessible building. In keeping with the conversation regarding reasonable housing options for Cook County residents, the GMAI board again puts out a request for additional members to please consider joining this LOCAL board to aid in their serving members of our communities. Please note: lots of the hard, busy work has now been done for a while, with the above improvements! Please contact Laurie Spry at 218- 370-0183 or Mary Petz at 218-475-2500 to join the Board. We meet quarterly via email, phone or ZOOM and will consider in-person meetings when public spaces are again available.