Housing was once again the top agenda item for the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) in June.
At the June 9, 2015 meeting, EDA Board Member Anton Moody gave an update on the work of the Workforce Housing Committee. Moody said the housing committee—Moody, Scott Harrison, Heidi Doo-Kirk, Abby Tofte and consultant Randy Lasky of Northspan has been meeting every Thursday morning to review and strategize about the results of housing study completed by the consulting companies Northspan and Community Partners Research, Inc. A critical part of the study was a demographic study of housing needs in the county, projecting numbers out to 2019.
Moody noted that there have been questions from the public about workforce housing versus affordable housing and he distributed a fact sheet that gave an explanation of each.
According to the housing committee, the study identified a housing gap in Cook County for workers that make between 80 – 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), the residents who work in the community as teachers, nurses and government employees. Wages for those workers range from $41,000 to $71,200 for a two-person home.
The study notes that there are federal and state programs geared toward the people who make less than 60 percent of the AMI, so to best serve the needs of the workforce community, the study listed its priorities as affordable rental housing, followed by owner-occupied housing for the west end of the county and owner-occupied housing, followed by affordable rental housing for the east end.
Moody said in addition to looking at who the EDA hoped to serve, the committee has been looking at where housing could be developed. He said there were at least 50 properties to look at when they started and the committee has whittled it down to four on each end of the county. EDA Board Member Heidi Doo-Kirk said the committee worked with Realtors Mike Larson and Tim Kennedy on this. It was agreed that some of the public properties looked at would take 10 years or more to develop. Moody said therefore it seemed better to focus on private individuals and investment properties.
Moody stressed that the push would be on housing not for temporary international workers, but for year-round employees and residents. He said that it is believed 40 housing units could be filled, but added, “That is a bit scary.”
Moody said he would like to see the EDA/housing committee start with a small project. “I’d like us to start with something do-able. It would be great if we did something that filled up right away and we had to do it again in a year,” he said.
Board Member Mark Sandbo agreed and reminded the board of other projects—the Sawtooth Cottages housing development in 2008 above the business park and more recently, an Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) 21-unit housing proposal for EDA lots 1 and 2. Sandbo asked what happened to the AEOA proposal.
Doo-Kirk said that was delayed because the AEOA was working with the Grand Marais Apartments, to renovate and improve that housing complex. “AEOA said a community of our size would not be successful if two projects were submitted for grants. So AEOA backed off on the new housing,” she said.
Sandbo said, “That’s what I’m saying. We start things but never finish. I’m happy with something smaller. I think 21 units is pie-inthe sky. Let’s do something with four units—let’s get something done.”
Howard Hedstrom asked how the housing planning would continue. “How will contractors get involved?” he asked.
Board Member Scott Harrison said they should be “at the table” by September 2015. By that time he said the housing committee should have the necessary information on financing, utilities, etc.
Grand Marais Apartments update
Grand Marais Apartments Board Member Laurie Spry gave the EDA an update on the apartment building renovations. Spry said the $507,000 acquired with help from the AEOA for the building took care of electrical problems, brought in water for emergency sprinklers, added fire alarms and new doorways in compliance with fire guidelines.
Spry said the board is now seeking money to bring the front facade out to improve stairways to the apartments. Spry said she is working on a grant to the Northland Foundation that would enable Grand Marais Apartments to continue to work with the same architect as they move ahead. She is seeking about $10,000. Board Chair Howard Hedstrom asked what was needed from the EDA. Spry asked for the EDA’s endorsement and assistance with writing the grant. The grant deadline is August 1.
The board passed a motion, with Board Member Doo-Kirk abstaining because she is related to Spry, to assist with and support the grant application.
Legislative help for housing
EDA Board Chair Howard Hedstrom said Government Affairs Specialist Judy Erickson had done a great deal of work at the state Capitol to ensure that funding could be available for workforce housing. Cook County was not included in the original legislation, so Hedstrom said there was a lot of “action and reaction” and Erickson was a great help.
Hedstrom also said legislators Tom
Bakk and David Dill were very helpful.
He said county residents should thank them when they are around.
Hedstrom said that unfortunately the Tofte senior housing project did not get funding in this go-around and he said the EDA may be asked to help with that.
Later in the meeting, when it was time to pay bills, there was discussion of whether to reimburse the Cook County Chamber of
Commerce $2,000 for the services of lobbyist Judy Erickson. The EDA passed a unanimous motion to pay that amount.
Assisted Living study up next
Scott Harrison said the housing committee is also researching the need for assisted living in the county. A request for proposals has gone out to complete an updated study.
Recommendations from the 2015 Cook County Housing Study
. Focus heavily on preservation, maintenance and improvement of existing housing stock
. Develop life cycle housing
. Promote new construction
. Create proactive community involvement
. Prioritize housing goals and establish a plan
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