A new affordable housing development is under construction in Grand Marais, helping to meet one of the top economic development challenges identified by Cook County officials and businesses. When completed, the Village North development will consist of 21 rental units for low to middle income earners and will be a mix of stand-alone units, multi-unit buildings, renovated existing structures and new construction.
North Shore restaurateur and realtor Bruce Block purchased the property in 2016. It was once Gofer Cabins and Trailer Court, which operated for decades as a desirable affordable housing area, but eventually fell into blighted status.
“Twelve of the units are complete, and an additional nine units will be completed by spring,” said Block. “In addition, we have very preliminary plans for other multi-unit buildings with parking underneath and a view of the lake. When developed, those too would be affordable for low to middle income segments of the workforce.”
Block relocated to the North Shore area over two decades ago with his young family and experienced firsthand the process of integrating into the community, including finding a starter home at an affordable rate.
“Area resorts, healthcare facilities, retailers and other businesses have open positions to fill, but job applicants have cited the housing stock shortage as the number one deterrent from accepting jobs in our region,” said Mary Somnis, Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) executive director.
According to Somnis, just over half of the Cook County housing inventory is second homes or vacation rentals. Cook County’s goal is to provide affordable housing for year round and seasonal workforce members.
The housing development is a financial and resource collaboration between Cook County, the EDA, City of Grand Marais, Building Blocks LLC and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation.
“We are so appreciative of the commercial redevelopment and development infrastructure grants from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation which helped make this project possible,” said Somnis. “The grants enabled our region to meet a tremendous workforce need, improve our region’s economy, and heighten the quality of life in Cook County.”
Leave a Reply