Thursday, November 14, 2024

Oconto Falls to pursue federal housing grant for Newcap project

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OCONTO FALLS – The City of Oconto Falls Common Council gave its approval for Newcap to proceed with a federal Housing and Urban Development grant application for up to $7 million for a new apartment complex and other housing programs.

Two council members – Tim Holman and Ashley Bahrke – opposed the resolution at the Oct. 8 meeting, preferring not to pursue the housing grant. Council member Devin Wirtz, who had been absent from a public hearing Sept. 30, was present and voted for the project, giving it a two-thirds majority. Council members Marty Coopman, Mathew McDermid and Jeff McDonald also voted in favor of submitting the application.

“This is just approving the HUD grant application. This city is the applicant. If the grant is approved, we have one piece of the funding. We still have to go through zoning,” said Mayor Clint Braun.

The need for apartments with rent on a sliding scale based on the tenant’s income persuaded most council members to give their approval.

Carrie Hill, executive vice president of community success services at Newcap, who lives in Oconto Falls and is on the school board, said her 19-year-old is an Emergency Medical Technician earning $15 an hour and living at home because he can’t afford to live on his own. “But some parents say, ‘You’re 18 and you’re out, or you graduated and you’re out,’” Hill said.

Newcap, a housing and community action nonprofit, wants to pursue the housing grant because a housing study identified Oconto Falls as having a need. “Oconto Falls is the highest poverty city in the county by residents. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we came to Oconto Falls,” Hill said.

The Common Council has discussed plans to enforce the city’s code restricting Main Street buildings zoned for retail from being used for residences on the first floor. “We’re on track to displace 12 to 20 families in the future,” Coopman said.

If the Newcap project is funded and approved, it could provide housing for the displaced Main Street residents along with those earning minimum wage, who don’t have many housing options. “I truly feel for some of those people who have nowhere to go but are still contributing to the community, but are homeless,” Hill said at the meeting.

Reached by phone Monday, Hill said Newcap planned to submit the HUD application for the Pathways Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) by day’s end and should receive notification in December from the federal government. Other funds the project could be eligible for include $3.2 million from the state’s Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources and $2.2 million from Community Development Fund Organizations, and $3.2 million from other state funds.

The nonprofit has a site selected but can’t reveal it during negotiations, Hill said. It hopes to receive the property as an in-kind donation, she said. As a nonprofit, it wouldn’t pay property taxes on the property.

Locally, the proposed three-story project would require a zoning change. The city has a height restriction of 45 feet and plans are for a 48-foot three-story apartment building with about 45 units and total footage of just over 50,000 square feet, Newcap said at an earlier meeting. The building would feature a community room, workout room, package-pickup room, two elevators, a roof terrace and a property management office.

During public comments, Library Board Member Mary Beth Rice asked council members to examine the budgets of various departments for funds that could be re-allocated to the library, which saw its appropriations decline $15,000. “That means we’ve got to cut places. We’ve got to cut things there at the library. Books are the library. When you do look at all your other departments as you formulate your budget, look hard at the library appropriation.”

A meeting of the Main Street Committee will be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16.

A public hearing on the proposed $2.8 million Columbia Street project, which involves reconstruction of street, sewer, water and storm infrastructure, is planned for October 30.

A public hearing on the 2025 General Fund budget is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12.

City of Oconto Falls, Common Council, federal housing and urban development, grant, apartment complex

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