The Community of Wakefield, Wakefield Progressive and a number of community supports played host last week to a celebration of sorts for recent community housing projects that are in various stages of completion, and received another visit from Nebraska’s Governor.
Gov. Jim Pillen returned for the office’s second trip to Wakefield in just a few short years, matching a trip that Gov. Pete Ricketts had made a few years ago – to review and celebrate the completion of housing projects that utilized some funding through the State and the Department of Economic Development.
Staff from U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts’ office and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith’s office, as well as Dr. Marysz Rames, President of Wayne State College, Brady Weaver from Michael Foods and Christine Rasmussen from the Department of Economic Development were on hand to join Mayor Jim Lehmkuhl as special dignitaries.
There were three sites that Pillen and the local entourage viewed around the community – cumulatively reaching “close to $17 million” in investment in housing in Wakefield, said Megan Weaver, Wakefield Economic Developer.
“All three projects have required significant investment and risk for the developers,” said Weaver. “They would not have been possible without the partnership from Department of Economic Development, Wakefield Community Redevelopment Authority and Wakefield Rural Workforce Housing Fund.”
The Governor assisted with three ribbon cutting events, celebrating each new housing project:
“The Exchange”: at 301 Main Street
“Mackling Tri-Plex”: at 106 E. Seventh Street
“Logan Creek Apartments”: at 504 E. Ninth Street
“The Exchange”
“The Exchange” was a local project that stemmed from some concepts drawn up during the Downtown Redevelopment Plan. Eric and Traci Riewer wanted to pursue a housing opportunity and create four apartments.
The project eventually reached a point where a grant was obtained from the State of Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development.
The upper story of the building was renovated to have one, one bedroom; two, two bedrooms and one three-bedroom apartment, and the project has a continuing nature to renovate and make continue to make improvements to the entire building.
“Mackling Tri-Plex”
The Mackling Tri-Plex project, owned by Chad Mackling, was built on a lot previously owned by the Community Redevelopment Authority.
There had been a dilapidated house on the property that the CRA demolished to make room for new development.
Chad Mackling submitted a proposal for the tri-plex which consisted of 3 – 2BR/2Bath units each with an attached single car garage.
Mackling utilized a 0% construction loan from Rural Workforce Housing to partially fund the project. His project is a great example of private/public partnerships. The previous structure had an assessed value of $28,690 while the new structure has an assessed value of close to $330,000.
“Logan Creek Project”
The Logan Creek Project has been in the making since before COVID.
The first building of 30 units has been completed with the second building now accepting applications for leases to start November 1st.
The apartments feature 1, 2, or 3 bedroom layouts including most major appliances.
The project was a combination of TIF, Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Funds and private funds.