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Council supports senior housing projectBy MaryHelen Swanson Itís only a ìconceptî now, but it could become a reality. What the folks at Rush City were talking about this week was a new senior housing complex, possibly including an assisted living facility, too. The Rush City Council Monday night, May 13, unanimously supported the concept by adopting a resolution declaring its intent to pursue a senior housing initiative and to partner with the Chisago County HRA/EDA in order to accomplish this objective. It wonít happen overnight, but the gears could start in motion this summer. Steve Mork, special projects coordinator for Chisago County, along with Chris Eng, HRA/EDA director, were at the meeting this week to discuss the proposal. ìNothing is concrete,î reminded Mork, repeatedly. A recent housing study shows that close to 14 percent of Rush Cityís population is over age 65 and that figure is heading toward 20 percent, noted Mork. In addition to a housing need for local folks, Mork pointed out that people are now bringing their aging parents closer to help take care of them. He said at the Uptown Maple Commons senior complex in North Branch, some 50 percent of the residents are from out of the area following this pattern. The study shows there is a need for 40 units of senior housing, plus a possible 24 units of assisted living space in the northern market - primarily Rush City and Harris. Said Pat Knutson, a member of the senior housing task force on hand for Mondayís meeting, besides the need for assisted living, those surveyed would like the facility to be close to the downtown area. Clare Lillis, another task force member at the meeting this week, outlined potential sites: ï across (west) from the Grant House where three houses now stand ï the old creamery site ï north of the Robinson property on the north end of town, near the new apartments. ï Rumpel property, north or south of the creek Mork told the council that during focus group gatherings he heard that people are leaving the Rush City area to find what they are looking for in senior housing elsewhere. "We heard loud and clear," he said, "that Rush City residents donít want to leave." Councilman Mic Louzek said thereís no doubt that this is what Rush City needs. And he said assisted living will be needed more and more, also. He said thereís a perception that Rush City is always too late. ìWe know itís a need,î he said, adding that personally he thinks itís a good use of taxpayerís money. Mork gently urged the council to take action, noting that a site must be chosen by July to make application for tax credits. The HRA/EDA may take leadership in the project, Mork said, but he stressed that these projects donít happen because of one or two people. Most importantly, he said, the project must be affordable. In North Branch, 16 of the 32 units at Uptown Maple Commons rent for $392/mo. Itís a $4 million building with only $1 million debt, Mork said, because of the many avenues for funding that were found. Setting up a tax increment district (TIF) at North Branch, Mork went on, helped reduce rents by about $100/mo. ìWeíre only going to ask for what we need,î he said, ìthe whole goal is to make it affordable and that it stays affordable.î In other business, the council: ï Paid bills in the amount of $70,274.15. ï Learned that the I-35 sewer and water project had been halted for a day by the Holiday station, when things got straightened out, it resumed. City Administrator Daniel Hoffman also noted that the service road project is off now due to lack of interest by Holiday. ï Learned that a convenience store is probably going to be built on the site of the old Amoco station. ï Due to the Memorial Day holiday, set the next council meeting for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 28. ©ECM Post Review |