Attending the Monday, October 2 groundbreaking ceremony for the Nordic Star Affordable Housing project were, from R-L: Cliff Knettell, Jennifer Stoltz, Pat Campanaro, Hal Greenwood, Julie Petrusha, Howard Hedstrom (in back), Carol Mork, Heidi Doo-Kirk, Randy Lasky, Mary Somnis, Myron Bursheim, Ginny Storlie, Jay Arrowsmith- DeCoux, Jan Sivertson, Jim Boyd and Tim Kennedy.
A dream of the late Frank Hansen, who served as a Cook County commissioner in the 1980s, was fulfilled on Monday, October 2 when there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the Nordic Star affordable workforce housing that will be installed on West Second Street, immediately to the west of Homestead Cooperative.
During Hansen’s tenure on the County Board, he voiced concern about the lack of affordable workforce housing in the area and hoped the county would address the issue. It took 30 plus years, but the problem was finally addressed.
The groundbreaking celebration marked the beginning of Phase I of this project. The Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) worked with One Roof Community Housing of Duluth to bring workforce housing to the community.
Workforce housing, said EDA Director Mary Somnis, has been identified as the number one challenge to economic development in Cook County.
This first phase consists of four three-bedroom, one-bathroom homes. The cost will range from $150,000 to $225,000, depending on whether the house will have a garage or a 10×10 shed.
Deputy director at One Roof Community Housing Cliff Knettel said the development would use the Community Land Trust model. Under this plan, One Roof will retain ownership of the land and sell the homes to people in the 80 percent and 115 percent Average Median Income range.
“The buyers of these homes must live in them. They can’t be used for vacation rental or rented to another party,” said Knettel.
Plans are in place to continue to Phase II in 2018, which will bring seven more homes to the project.
The houses are already built and will be put up when the foundations are finished, said Knettel. So far no one has purchased a home, but some people have expressed interest in the houses, he added.
Anyone wanting to learn more about the project, please Email: info@1roofhousing.org
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