While the Tofte housing project sits in limbo, the Tofte town board has reached out to the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) for assistance.
The reason the township needs help is that it doesn’t have the authority to manage a housing project it began discussing more than five years ago.
Two representatives of the EDA Board, Chair Howard Hedstrom and EDA Treasurer Scott Harrison sat down with the town board for a special board meeting held in Tofte on Thursday, November 3 to discuss the situation.
Hedstrom was frank in his opening remarks.
“We can’t speak for the EDA board,” said Hedstrom. “We are here to listen, to see if we can help, but we can’t make promises for the board. This is an information-gathering meeting for us. The EDA has come a long way in improving its decision making and taking on successful projects. We need to be careful to continue in this manner of doing our work.”
The housing project has stalled the last two years because the Minnesota legislature has deadlocked and failed to pass much legislation. A bill crafted by two area representatives that would aid Tofte is mired on that legislation.
The late David Dill (DFL), who served in the House, and Tom Bakk (DFL) in the Senate, both crafted legislation asking for a special provision that would allow the township to have the same powers and authority over this development as a city would. However, when the governor and the legislature couldn’t agree on the education bill, a special session needed to be called to settle their differences. And when that failed in 2015, the 2016 session didn’t fare much better as the governor and legislators clashed on bills and nothing much got done.
Tofte Township Supervisor Jeanne Larson has been the point person for this housing development. She told Hedstrom and Harrison that a lot of the work had been completed including wetlands delineation, storm water management plan, septic system design, and land use permits secured from the county. Larson also noted that Tofte had secured two grants from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for $350,000; $46,000 which was spent on infrastructure (ground work). And, she said, a well had been dug and tested that would provide enough water for the twin homes, a site plan was done, and the township had bonding authority.
Bluefin owner Dennis Rysdahl, who was also at the table, said the township had done a lot of good work and it looked like the development if built would provide middle management workforce housing.
Harrison asked the supervisors to hire a construction manager that didn’t have any ties to the board.
“If you want some help from this side of the board, that’s what I would like to see,” said Harrison.
EDA Director Mary Somnis told the Tofte board she could assist the township to write a job description for a construction manager, and Larson said that would be appreciated.
Once the township has a construction manager in place, Harrison said he would be willing to talk to One Roof Housing because he has been working with the EDA.
If selected, One Roof Housing would come in and develop and manage the project and the township wouldn’t have that burden.
Originally Tofte supervisors were driven by a desire to see that seniors who had lived in the community throughout their lives have the ability to stay in the community when they are unable to care for their homes any longer. It was hoped that the homes they move out of would then be sold to younger families who needed housing.
While Hedstrom and Harrison said they could make no promises on behalf of the EDA, they were pleased with the meeting. Harrison asked Larson to put all of the documents together for the housing project so the EDA could review them.
“I have them all in a shoebox,” said Larson, adding she would be happy to get the paperwork in place and present it to the EDA.
When a solution is found to this conundrum, Tofte will develop 12 twin patio rental homes that will be put about 300 yards on a ridge above the Birch Grove Community Center. Larson said 23 acres had been dedicated to phase one, and if needed, phase two of the housing project.
Dynamic Homes has been paid a $60,000 down payment to construct the homes, said Larson, who has been the township’s supervisor for the development.
Once built and put in place, the homes will have 900 square feet, and renters can choose between a two-bedroom, one-bath units or a one-bedroom, one wheelchair accessible house. Plans call for the homes to come with new appliances: washer/dryer and dishwasher and be heated by a gas furnace. There will be parking, garages, and a storage facility.
Tofte supervisors met on Thursday, November 10 after the paper was put to bed. One of the big things the board needs to do is replace Paul James, former board chair, who resigned recently after 17 years of service to the community.
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